EV Incentives and Rebates in Australia: State-by-State Guide (2026)

EV Government Incentives in Australia: What’s Still Available in 2026

The EV incentive picture in Australia has changed significantly over the past two years. Most of the generous upfront cash rebates that kicked off the market — $3,000 here, free registration there — have now closed. But there’s still real money available if you know where to look, and one federal incentive remains the most valuable the market has ever seen.

Here’s what’s actually available in each state and territory as of March 2026.

Federal: The FBT Exemption (Still the Biggest Deal)

The Fringe Benefits Tax exemption for eligible EVs is the most financially significant incentive in the Australian market. It applies when an EV is purchased through a novated lease or provided by an employer.

Under the exemption, EVs priced under the Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold — set at $91,387 for the 2025–26 financial year — pay no FBT. For employees in higher income tax brackets, this can translate to effective discounts of $15,000–$30,000 or more over a four-year novated lease term, depending on salary and usage.

Important change: From 1 April 2025, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) no longer qualify for the FBT exemption. Only battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are eligible.

If you’re an employee and haven’t explored novated leasing for an EV, talk to your payroll team. The FBT exemption is the reason many Australians are finding EVs financially competitive with petrol vehicles for the first time.

New South Wales

NSW’s early-adopter incentives — the $3,000 upfront rebate, stamp duty exemption, and free registration — all closed on 31 December 2023.

What remains in NSW as of 2026: No specific EV incentives. Standard stamp duty and registration apply. EV buyers in NSW are relying on the federal FBT exemption (for novated leases) and the inherent fuel cost savings.

Victoria

Victoria is arguably the most constrained state for EV buyers right now. The $100 annual registration discount that survived longest was closed on 1 January 2026.

What remains in VIC as of 2026: No remaining EV-specific incentives. Standard duties apply. Victoria’s EV road user charge (2.6 cents per km for BEVs, 2.1 cents for PHEVs) also applies — though this was challenged in the High Court and its application continues to be contested.

Queensland

Queensland’s Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate Scheme (which offered $3,000) ended on 2 September 2024.

What remains in QLD as of 2026: Reduced stamp duty rates — EVs attract a lower rate calculated at $2 per $100 of vehicle value up to $100,000. On a $60,000 EV, that’s $1,200 in stamp duty versus higher rates on equivalent petrol vehicles.

South Australia

SA’s $3,000 EV subsidy closed on 31 December 2024. The 3-year registration exemption applied only to vehicles first registered between October 2021 and June 2025.

What remains in SA as of 2026: No remaining active EV incentives. Given SA’s high electricity prices, buyers should factor charging costs carefully when comparing to petrol running costs.

Western Australia

WA’s $3,500 rebate for EVs under $70,000 ended on 10 May 2025. The $100 annual registration discount ended on 1 January 2026.

What remains in WA as of 2026: No active EV incentives. Standard costs apply.

Australian Capital Territory

The ACT has moved away from blanket exemptions. The full stamp duty exemption for zero-emission vehicles was repealed on 1 September 2025.

What remains in the ACT as of 2026:

• Low-interest loans of $2,000–$15,000 for new or used ZEVs, at a 3% interest rate
• Stamp duty at a minimum 2.5% rate (lower than ICE vehicle rates); vehicles over $80,000 attract an additional 8% on the value above that threshold

The ACT’s loan scheme is particularly useful for buyers who need help with the upfront cost.

Tasmania

Tasmania’s EV Rebate program (375 rebates at $2,000 each) opened in November 2023 and was fully subscribed by April 2024. No active rebate program is currently running.

What remains in TAS as of 2026: No active EV rebates. Standard registration and stamp duty apply.

Northern Territory

The NT retains the most active incentive package of any state or territory in 2026.

What remains in the NT as of 2026:

• Stamp duty exemption for EVs (saving buyers up to ~$1,500)
• Free registration for plug-in electric vehicles
• $1,000 rebate toward home EV charger installation for homeowners — available until 30 June 2026

If you’re buying an EV in the NT, apply for the charger rebate promptly — the 30 June 2026 deadline is approaching.

What This Means for Buyers

The honest summary: the generous upfront cash incentives that characterised 2021–2024 are largely gone in most states. The market has matured and governments have wound back the early-adopter subsidies.

What remains is:

1. The federal FBT exemption — still very significant for employees, still the biggest lever available
2. The NT’s full package — the most intact state-level program
3. The ACT’s low-interest loan — useful for cash-flow constrained buyers
4. QLD’s reduced stamp duty — a modest ongoing benefit

For most buyers in NSW, VIC, SA, and WA, the financial case for an EV now rests entirely on running cost savings and the FBT exemption (if applicable). The good news: with fuel at $2.10+/litre, those running cost savings are larger than ever.

Use our running costs calculator to see the total cost of ownership — purchase price, charging costs, servicing, and depreciation — for any EV against its petrol equivalent.