If you’ve been waiting for a big government rebate before buying an EV, here’s the honest answer: the direct purchase rebates are gone. New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland all wound up their cash-back programs between 2023 and 2025. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing left on the table.
Several valuable incentives are still active in 2026 — particularly for those buying through salary sacrifice or running a business. Here’s exactly what each state offers right now, and what’s expired.
Federal FBT Exemption — The Biggest Remaining Incentive
Before diving into state programs, this one is worth highlighting because it applies Australia-wide and delivers serious savings for employees.
If you purchase an EV through a salary sacrifice or novated lease arrangement with your employer, you pay zero Fringe Benefits Tax on the vehicle and its running costs — including registration, insurance, maintenance, and home charging.
The tax saving over a typical 3-year novated lease can reach $12,000 to $25,000, depending on your income and the vehicle you choose. That’s the most significant EV financial benefit still in play for most Australians right now.
What qualifies?
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) with a first retail sale after 1 July 2022
- Vehicle must be below the luxury car tax threshold for fuel-efficient vehicles ($91,661 for 2026–27, up from $91,387 in 2025–26). Note that from 1 July 2025 the definition of “fuel-efficient” tightened from 7L/100km to 3.5L/100km, which pushed most hybrids out of the higher threshold
- Must be provided through a valid employer arrangement (salary sacrifice or fleet)
Important: the FBT exemption is changing
The full exemption runs until 31 March 2027. From 1 April 2027, only EVs costing $75,000 or less keep the full exemption; eligible EVs above that move to a 25% FBT discount. From 1 April 2029, all eligible EVs below the luxury car tax threshold move to the 25% discount.
The important part: existing leases are grandfathered. If you sign a novated lease before 1 April 2027, the FBT treatment you signed under applies for the whole lease term — so a five-year lease signed in late 2026 keeps the full exemption into 2031. If you’re considering a novated lease, sooner is better.
Note: Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) lost the FBT exemption entirely from 1 April 2025.
New South Wales (NSW)
What’s ended
- ❌ $3,000 purchase rebate — ended 31 December 2023
- ❌ Stamp duty exemption — ended 31 December 2023
- ❌ Residential home charger rebate (up to $1,000) — ended 31 December 2025
What’s still active in 2026
- ✅ Emissions-based registration: EVs attract lower registration costs calculated on emissions output rather than vehicle weight, delivering ongoing annual savings.
- ✅ EV Fleets Incentive (businesses only): NSW businesses can still apply for $5,000–$50,000 to transition fleets to EVs, plus up to $3,000 per smart AC charging port installed. The FY26 kick-start pool was increased from $5 million to $9 million. Applications close 5:00pm, 30 November 2026, or earlier if the funding is fully allocated.
Victoria (VIC)
What’s ended
- ❌ $3,500 Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Subsidy — closed 10 May 2025, funding exhausted
- ❌ $100 annual registration discount — ended 1 January 2026
- ❌ Residential charger rebate — no active program
What’s still active in 2026
- ✅ Stamp duty concession: EVs are taxed at a flat 4.2% stamp duty rate, which is a concession compared to standard rates on higher-value vehicles.
- ✅ Registration concessions: Reduced registration rates continue to apply for electric vehicles.
Queensland (QLD)
What’s ended
- ❌ Up to $6,000 ZEV Rebate — funding exhausted, closed 2 September 2024
- ❌ Residential charger rebate — no active program
What’s still active in 2026
- ✅ $200 annual registration discount: Battery Electric Vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles receive an automatic $200 discount on registration each year.
- ✅ Stamp duty concession: Eligible zero-emission vehicles continue to receive a concessional stamp duty rate.
Quick Reference: Active vs Expired (2026)
| Incentive | NSW | VIC | QLD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase rebate | ❌ Ended Dec 2023 | ❌ Ended May 2025 | ❌ Ended Sep 2024 |
| Stamp duty concession | ❌ Ended Dec 2023 | ✅ Active (4.2%) | ✅ Active |
| Registration discount | ✅ Emissions-based | ✅ Reduced rates | ✅ $200/year |
| Home charger rebate | ❌ Ended Dec 2025 | ❌ Not available | ❌ Not available |
| Business fleet incentive | ✅ Open to Nov 2026 | ❌ | ❌ |
Make the Most of What’s Left
The shift away from upfront purchase rebates means the focus has moved to ongoing savings — lower fuel costs, reduced registration fees, and tax advantages through salary sacrifice. For most Australian EV buyers in 2026, the FBT exemption is where the real money is.
One area you can still control: your home charging setup. A quality home EV charger reduces your cost per charge and lets you make the most of off-peak electricity rates or solar generation. With no residential charger rebates currently available in NSW, VIC, or QLD, choosing the right charger from day one matters more than ever.
At Charge Wise, we stock Australian-certified RAEDIAN NEO wall chargers and NORA portable chargers — both solar-compatible, so you can maximise savings from your own rooftop energy. Browse our full range here.
Information current as of August 2026. Government programs change frequently — always verify the current status directly with the relevant state authority or the ATO before making financial decisions.
