NSW government announces when Sydney toll rebates will be issued

The government has announced when NSW families will receive up to $750 in Sydney toll rebates. Find out when it will hit your bank account.

Families in NSW — and particularly motorists across Western Sydney — could see up to $750 hit their bank accounts by the end of January, with the NSW government activating its toll relief rebate scheme.

Announced in the State Budget as one of the key Perrottet government cost-of-living measures, the Toll Relief Rebate Scheme start date was July 1 in 2022, but no date was given as to when motorists could apply to receive their payment.

The Sunday Telegraph can now reveal the scheme will open for applications from January 24 in 2023, with the relief backdated to July 1, meaning hundreds of thousands of eligible families will have close to $750 dropped into their bank accounts “within days” of applying.

It is understood the government fast-tracked the payments ahead of the March state election, with tolls being pushed by Labor as a key issue.

The scheme — which enables drivers who have spent $375 on tolls to claim 40 per cent of the bill, up to a maximum amount of $750 a year — will more than double the number of drivers eligible to receive toll relief from the state government.

The previous scheme provided discounted or free registration, but motorists had to spend at least $877 per year on tolls before receiving any relief.

The NSW government’s Toll Relief Rebate Scheme offers up to $750 cash back. Picture: Christian Gilles

With families across NSW feeling the pinch of cost-of-living rises, the government hopes the fast-tracked payments will be welcome news for the estimated 500,000 drivers who use tolls across Sydney.

The new scheme also applies to tradies — it’s available to sole trader businesses — although they will not be able to apply until late February.

Treasurer Matt Kean. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Treasurer Matt Kean said about half a million drivers would be able to claim 40 per cent of their toll spend, with pensioners also now able to claim a rebate.

“We’ve more than doubled the number of drivers eligible for toll relief, and for the first time, pensioners will be able to claim a rebate while still receiving free car registration,” he said.

Almost one million trips are made on Sydney’s toll roads every day.

The scheme works by assessing a motorist’s cumulative toll spend in NSW every quarter.

Once the total toll spend is more than $375 for the financial year, they will be able to claim 40 per cent rebate of all of their eligible tolls incurred.

In practice, this means drivers will get $150 cash back if they spend $375 on tolls in a year, with 40 per cent of their tolls reimbursed from then on until they hit $1875 worth of toll costs for a maximum benefit of $750 a year.

Administered through motorist’s Service NSW accounts, the maximum annual benefit available will be $750, with rebates to be paid every quarter.

Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward said the new scheme would make travelling more affordable, particularly for motorists in west and southwestern Sydney.

“Drivers from Casula to Liverpool, Rouse Hill and Campbelltown will be the big winners, but everyone across NSW will have the chance to cash in on the new Toll Relief Rebate Scheme,” she said.

Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said eligible customers would be able to log into their Service NSW account and link to their toll account before lodging their toll relief rebate claim.

“And there will always be the option to go into, or call, a Service NSW Centre for assistance. Claims will then be paid directly into their nominated bank account,” he said.

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