New toll relief for drivers

About half a million NSW motorists will receive cash rebates paid quarterly into their bank accounts under the NSW Government’s Toll Rebate Scheme to be included in this month’s Budget.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the new scheme would see more NSW motorists benefit from targeted payments compared with the existing Registration Relief Scheme.

“This new program will provide more relief, more often to more motorists. The number of road users receiving toll relief will more than double. Almost 300,000 extra drivers will benefit,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Our strong economy means we can ease cost of living pressures by ensuring there will be many more drivers eligible for relief especially in areas across western, northwestern and southwestern Sydney.

“This is a fairer and more equitable system based more closely on the amount a motorist actually spends on tolls. Motorists will receive up to $750 back each year.”

Under the new relief package, motorists will receive a 40 per cent rebate for tolls incurred once they spend more than $375 in a year. The maximum annual benefit for each customer will be $750.

The program will be in place for an initial two-year period, while the government finalises and implements long term tolling reforms.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the new toll relief measures would make travelling on the State’s roads more affordable.

“These rebates will improve the affordability of toll road travel for individuals, families and small businesses,” Mr Kean said.

“Tolling enables major new and upgraded motorways to be delivered years and even decades ahead of time. This package will put money back in motorists’ bank accounts to help ease cost of living pressures.”

Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the toll rebates would also reduce congestion on key arterial roads.

“NSW motorists will be able use NSW’s state-of-the-art motorway network to get where they need to go faster and more reliably while receiving money back to help deliver cost of living relief,” Mrs Ward said.

“This system aims to optimise Sydney’s motorway network to ensure families and small businesses who rely on our roads for their daily commutes spend less time in traffic and more time at home or servicing their customers.”

For tolls incurred up to 30 June 2022, road users can continue to receive vehicle registration relief until 30 June 2023. For tolls incurred from 1 July 2022, customers can access the new program and will receive their first rebate payment in early 2023, followed by quarterly payments.

The M5 South West Cashback Scheme will continue.  

The Toll Reform Review will continue to consider further policy reform options.

Tolling FAQs

Tolling FAQs

What is the new toll relief scheme?

The new scheme is a broad-based toll rebate scheme where, every quarter, eligible non-business and small business customers will receive a 40 per cent rebate for every dollar spent on tolls once they have reached a minimum spend of $375.

The maximum annual benefit available to each eligible customer is $750.

The eligibility for the scheme will be the same as the existing Registration Relief Scheme (with the exception of the $375 minimum spend threshold) which will be phased out and replaced by this new scheme.

When will the new scheme commence?

The scheme will commence on 1 July 2022. Tolls incurred from this date will be included in the calculation of rebates entitled by customers; however the first rebate won’t occur until early 2023, with this rebate covering the period of toll spend from 1 July 2022.

The scheme will be operational for 2 years.

How do I apply for the cash rebates?

More information will be made available shortly via the Service NSW website.

Who is eligible for the new relief scheme?

Both non-business customers and small business customers will be eligible to receive a rebate under the new toll relief scheme based upon their cumulative toll spend within a financial year.

Non-business customers:

Eligibility will remain consistent with the existing Registration Relief Scheme except for the inclusion of a minimum toll spend threshold of $375.

The eligibility criteria for the Registration Relief Scheme are:

• drive a NSW privately registered vehicle (less than 2794kg tare/unladen weight]
• be a NSW resident
• have a NSW personal toll account (E-Toll or Transurban Linkt)
• have their license plate(s) linked to their personal toll account

Small business customers:

For this new scheme, small business customers are defined as customers that hold a tolling account with a unique ABN and a maximum of two class 2 (light vehicle) tags that are unique and active.

What toll roads does the scheme include?

The new toll relief scheme includes all NSW toll roads. Consistent with the existing Registration Relief Scheme, should a customer opt-in to the M5 South-West Cashback Scheme, tolls incurred on the M5 South-West are excluded from the new scheme.

How often will the rebates be paid?

Rebates will be paid every quarter, based on their cumulative NSW toll spend each financial year.

How will the new toll relief scheme work?

Every quarter, the customer’s tolling account will be assessed on their cumulative toll spend across all NSW toll roads over the financial year. If the total toll spend exceeds $375 for the financial year, a rebate of 40% of tolls incurred will be paid.

The new scheme will be administered and implemented by Service NSW.

Will the existing Registration Relief Scheme continue?

From 1 July 2022 customers’ entitlement to a rebate under the new scheme will commence, replacing the existing Registration Relief Scheme.

Over the year to 30 June 2023, customers will be entitled to claim registration relief based on their toll spend for the previous financial year. The Registration Relief Scheme will then cease - on 30 June 2023.

The first rebate under the new scheme will start in early 2023, with this rebate covering the period of toll spend from 1 July 2022.

Will the M5 South-West Cashback Scheme continue?

The M5 South-West Cashback Scheme will remain unchanged.

Is there any relief for truck drivers?

No. The new toll relief scheme does not include tolls paid on heavy vehicles (e.g. trucks).