Yahoo Finance Major $4,420 toll cash grab for these Aussie drivers: ‘Claim now’
Tolls are a costly part of commuting in Sydney, but there's a simple way to get cash back from today.
Tolls are a financial burden for any driver living in or passing through Sydney, but you can claim hundreds of dollars in rebates from today. Some motorists simply don't pay their bills, but for those who do, the New South Wales government's toll relief scheme could help ease cost-of-living pressures on commuters.
Eligible motorists can claim a weekly rebate of up to $340 if they spend between $60 to $400 a week on tolls, according to Service NSW. Over the 13 weeks from 1 January to 31 March this year, that amounts to a maximum rebate of $4,420.
That means drivers should not be spending more than $60 a week on tolls, if they claim the rebate.
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Once you spend $60, you can claim up to the $400 threshold. So, if you've spent $400, you can get $340 back. If you've spent $100, you can get $40 back.
For those who are eligible for the maximum amount over the whole year, you're looking at a $17,680 rebate.
Am I eligible for the toll rebate?
From January 1, the NSW government introduced the $60 weekly toll cap and 9 April 2024 is the first date the rebate can be claimed from.
An estimated 720,000 toll users will be able to claim back whatever they spend above $60 a week, which will be paid as a quarterly refund from Service NSW.
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The scheme applies to NSW residents on roads in the state, meaning interstate tolls will not be included, even if it’s during the same journey.
You must have your vehicle (a Class A type such as a motorcycle or car) registered with a NSW toll service provider.
People who operate a vehicle as part of a rideshare, taxi or food delivery service will not be eligible.
You also can’t submit a claim if you’re driving as part of a business trip, nor can you make a claim if you’re already getting cash back from your employer. Drivers need to be operating their car for personal use.
How can I claim the toll rebate?
If you fit that criteria, all you need to do is link your e-Tag to your Service NSW account and make a claim on the app, a process NSW roads minister John Graham said is "relatively simple".
“It'd be good if you've got your bank account number with you and your toll account number, but once you've linked them, if you click 'claim', then money from the $60 toll cap will be returned into your account," he told 2GB.
Any quarterly rebates not claimed for this round will accrue until the claim period closes on June 30 next year. The next claim date will be July 9 this year.
What other toll relief is available?
The $60-a-week toll cap comes on top of the government’s existing 40 per cent rebate for frequent toll users.
Eligible motorists who spend more than $402 a year on tolls in the 2023-24 financial year, will receive the 40 per cent rebate. The rebate is capped at $802.
You can claim once a quarter or up to one year after the financial year ends. Claims close June 30, 2025.
Sydney driver Hannah was able to claim hundreds of dollars last financial year on that scheme.
"I got $280 for last year and there was already $177 for this financial year," she said.
"Hot tip if you need some extra cash."
Who will get the most money back from toll rebate scheme?
The big winners will be those in Sydney’s west who commute into the city each day.
Here's a breakdown of estimated rebates for the top four suburbs:
Lakemba ($309)
Auburn ($226)
Bankstown ($235)
Villawood ($227)
The highest proportion of eligible drivers will be from Kellyville, Baulkham Hills, Greystanes, Marsden Park and Moorebank, which will get an estimated rebate between $145 and $195.
Graham said this will no doubt provide relief to many who spend a lot of time on the road.
“I've just talked to people who have changed the way they live their lives, they live or work in different places because they just couldn't pay the cost of going on Sydney's toll roads and it has become difficult to avoid,” the roads minister said.
“So we know that's having an impact on people.”
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