How Australia's States Differ on EV Incentives: A Side-by-Side Look

Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining traction across Australia, but the policies encouraging their adoption vary significantly depending on where you live. From stamp duty waivers and rebates to charging infrastructure and road-user charges, each state and territory has taken its own approach — some more aggressively than others.

This guide breaks down how Australia’s states and territories compare when it comes to EV incentives, so you can see which regions are driving the strongest push toward cleaner transport.

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1. Why State-Level EV Incentives Matter

While the federal government has offered national incentives like the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for EVs under $89,332 and import duty waivers, most direct cost savings and policy decisions lie with individual states and territories.

This means the experience of buying, owning, and charging an EV can vary significantly depending on your postcode. These differences affect affordability, access, and the speed at which EV adoption occurs.

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2. New South Wales

NSW has historically led the charge on EV incentives. While some programs were phased out in early 2024, past initiatives included:

$3,000 rebate for EVs under $68,750 (now ended)
Stamp duty exemptions (ended in 2024)
Investment in fast-charging networks
Plans to phase out ICE fleet vehicles by 2030
Toll relief for EV drivers (expired June 2023)

Current focus has shifted toward charging infrastructure and fleet electrification.

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3. Victoria

Victoria has taken a mixed approach:

Previously offered a $3,000 subsidy for EVs under $68,740 (ended in mid-2023)
Introduced Australia’s first EV road user charge (2.8c/km)
EV owners pay reduced stamp duty but no full exemption
Charging infrastructure grants for local councils and businesses
Stronger incentives for fleet adoption rather than individuals

Victoria’s road user charge has drawn criticism for discouraging private EV uptake.

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4. Queensland

Queensland currently offers:

$6,000 rebate for eligible EVs under $68,000 (one of the most generous)
No stamp duty for EVs under certain price thresholds
Reduced registration costs for EVs
“Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy 2022–2032” with infrastructure and fleet targets
Co-funding of fast-charging stations through the QESH program

Queensland is rapidly expanding its public charging network across regional areas.

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5. South Australia

South Australia previously offered:

$3,000 rebate for EVs under $68,750 (ended in early 2024)
Three years of free registration (ended)
Strong investment in charging infrastructure and fleet transition
EV road user charge was paused following court challenges

SA’s approach is now more focused on longer-term infrastructure and public fleet electrification.

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6. Western Australia

WA has been a slower mover but has introduced:

$3,500 rebate for EVs under $70,000
Reduced vehicle licence fee and exemption from motor vehicle duty
$21 million investment in charging infrastructure
Expanding WA EV Network across the state to support regional drivers
No road-user charge (yet)

WA is targeting rural accessibility and clean transport for long distances.

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7. Tasmania

Tasmania has taken a quietly progressive stance:

Exempted EVs from stamp duty (ended July 2024)
Offers lowest ongoing registration costs for EVs
Strong support for public charging in remote areas
Incentives focused on fleets, rental companies, and tourism operators

EV ownership is growing steadily in Tasmania thanks to its renewable energy grid and lower running costs.

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8. Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

The ACT is the most EV-friendly jurisdiction in Australia:

Stamp duty exemption on new and used EVs
Two years of free registration
Access to zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 for EV purchases
Strong public charging network
Aggressive public fleet electrification target: 100% by 2035
Mandate for all new multi-dwelling buildings to be EV-ready

The ACT consistently ranks highest in EV adoption per capita.

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9. Northern Territory

The NT, though limited by population and distance, has made some progress:

EV registration fee discounts
Stamp duty concession up to $1,500
Investment in public charging stations in urban centres and along major corridors
Focus on EVs for government fleet and public transport pilot programs

NT faces unique challenges due to climate, infrastructure, and long travel distances.

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10. Summary: Which States Are Leading the Way?

State/Territory	Rebate (as of 2025)	Stamp Duty Exemption	Registration Discounts	Road User Charge	Infrastructure Focus
ACT	No rebate	Yes	Yes (2 years)	No	Strong
QLD	$6,000	Yes (threshold-based)	Yes	No	Expanding statewide
WA	$3,500	Yes	Yes	No	Growing rural access
VIC	None	Reduced only	Yes	Yes (2.8c/km)	High
NSW	None (ended)	Ended	No	No	Yes
SA	None (ended)	Ended	Ended	Paused	Yes
TAS	None (ended)	Ended	Yes	No	Remote areas
NT	None	Partial ($1,500 cap)	Yes	No	Targeted

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11. Conclusion

Australia’s EV landscape is anything but uniform. While the federal government sets some overarching policy, the real differences in affordability, access, and ownership experience come down to state and territory initiatives. Queensland and the ACT currently lead with the strongest incentives and infrastructure rollouts, while Victoria’s approach remains the most controversial due to its road user charge.

For Aussies considering an EV, where you live could significantly impact both upfront cost and long-term running expenses. If you’re shopping around, it pays to check the latest local offers and legislation — especially as programs continue to evolve in response to market demand and climate goals.

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EV incentives in Australia vary by state. This side-by-side comparison breaks down rebates, taxes, and policies across every state and territory in 2025.

How Australia’s States Differ on EV Incentives: A Side-by-Side Look

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