Skip to content
An ACT Government Website
Accessibility
Contact us ACT Digital Account
Accessibility Contact us ACT Digital Account

Concessions for registration fees

New registration discounts and concessions now available

The ACT will transition to an emissions-based registration system in 2024. Ahead of this transition, registration discounts for low emission vehicles are available for some plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and hybrid vehicles (HEVS) when registered for the first time in your name from 1 July 2023.

Registration concessions are also now available for ACT Service Access card holders and Australian Low Income Health Care card holders.

If you can prove you hold a recognised concession, you may get a discount on some vehicle registration fees.

You will need to visit an Access Canberra Service Centre.

Prove your identity

Access Canberra needs to confirm your identity before it can recognise your concession.

This can be done with an ACT Driver Licence.

If you don’t have one, you’ll need to provide full proof of identity when you visit the Service Centre.

Recognised concessions

The following are recognised concessions. As well as your proof of identity, you’ll need to bring valid proof of your concession.

ACT Seniors Cards

Holders of ACT Seniors Cards receive:

Holders of ACT Seniors Cards who own hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) with emissions of no more than 130g/km, who first register the vehicle in their name on or after 1 July 2023:

  • receive a 28% discount on registration fees for up to 12 months when the registration period commences on or before 30 June 2024
  • pay the full fees for all other component fees and the Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) insurance premium.

Holders of ACT Seniors Cards who own a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) with emissions of no more than 130g/km, who first register the vehicle in their name on or after 1 July 2023:

  • receive a 46% discount on registration fees for up to 12 months when the registration period commences on or before 30 June 2024.
  • pay the full fees for all other component fees and the Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) insurance premium.

Please note that the concession is not automatically applied to your vehicle registration, your Seniors Card  must be linked to a nominated vehicle.

If you have already linked your Seniors Card to your vehicle registration, you should see the concession listed on your registration renewal notice. If this is not the case, please call Access Canberra on 13 22 81. You’ll be asked to confirm your details and provide your ACT Seniors Card number.

If you are not sure your Seniors Card has been applied to your record or to claim a refund for the concession on your vehicle’s registration, please call Access Canberra on 13 22 81.If you do not yet have a Seniors Card, and you meet the eligibility criteria, you can complete the ACT Seniors Card Application online or request a hard copy form through the ACT seniors card website.

What to bring to the Service Centre

If your concession isn't already listed with Access Canberra, you must present a current and valid ACT Seniors Card and primary proof of identity to an Access Canberra Service Centre.

Only the card holder receives the concession and only for one light vehicle or one light trailer registration in their name.

This means if you already have your concession applied to a vehicle, and you want to use it on another vehicle, you must remove the concession first and a catch-up fee may need to be paid. You can do this by calling Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

Eligible light trailers require a tare weight not exceeding 250 kg and a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) not exceeding 750 kg.

Services Australia (previously Centrelink) concessions

Holders of a current Services Australia Pensioner Concession Card or Low Income Health Care Card pay:

What to bring to the Service Centre

If this is your first time claiming a Centrelink concession, you need to complete a Concession validation consent form [PDF 231.3 KB].

Only the card holder receives the concession and only for one light vehicle or one light trailer registration in their name.

This means if you want to register a new vehicle and use your concession, you must remove the concession from your existing vehicle first.

Eligible light trailers require a tare weight not exceeding 250 kg and a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) not exceeding 750 kg.

Department of Veterans' Affairs

A Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) White or Orange cards does not entitle you to any concessions.

Holders of a current DVA Pensioner Concession Card pay:

What to bring to the Service Centre

You must either:

  • complete a Concession validation consent [PDF 231KB] form, or
  • provide a letter from DVA confirming your concession entitlement. The letter must be dated no earlier than 14 days before you visit the Service Centre.

You also need to provide your DVA Unique Identification Number (UIN). You can find your UIN:

  • on your DVA concession card
  • on correspondence sent to you by the DVA.

Call DVA on 1800 838 372 for help with UINs.

ACT Services Access Card

Holders of an ACT Services Access Card pay:

What to bring to the Service Centre

You will need to bring your ACT Services Access Card to the Service Centre.

Only the card holder receives the concession and only for one light vehicle or one light trailer registration in their name.

Eligible light trailers require a tare weight not exceeding 250 kg and a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) not exceeding 750 kg.

Backdating concessions

If you have held your concession card for a while before letting Access Canberra know, you might be eligible for a backdated refund on your registration.

You must produce a letter from the issuing authority stating:

  • the date your concession started
  • that you have been continuously entitled to the concession since the start date.

Only the card holder receives the concession and only for one light vehicle or one light trailer registration in their name.

This means if you want to register a new vehicle and use your concession, you must remove the concession from your existing vehicle first. You can do this by calling Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

Eligible light trailers require a tare weight not exceeding 250 kg and a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) not exceeding 750 kg.

Diplomats and privileged personnel

Diplomats and privileged personnel pay:

What to bring to the Service Centre

You must present a current Diplomatic Identity Card and passport.

Only the card holder receives the concession.

Primary producers

To be eligible your vehicle must be registered for business use. A person with a Primary Producers’ concession may also claim a Seniors’ concession on a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV).

Primary producers:

Primary producers with gas or electric-powered vehicles (battery electric, plug in hybrid or hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles):

What to bring to the Service Centre

You must complete a Primary producer declaration for farmer concession form [PDF 206KB] and have it certified by a registered tax agent or qualified accountant.

The concession can only be applied to a maximum of 2 goods-carrying vehicles:

  • one goods-carrying or fixed load trailer
  • one vehicle with a ‘tractor’ body type.

All vehicles must be equal to or less than 4.5 tonne Gross Vehicle Mass.

All gas-powered vehicles need to pass an inspection by an authorised gas fitter if:

  • they are second-hand and you’re establishing registration, or
  • you’re renewing registration and the registration period exceeds 12 months from the last gas inspection.

You will need to present a passed inspection report when you visit the Service Centre.

Concessions for gas, hybrid and electrics vehicles

From 1 July 2024, vehicle registration fees will gradually transition from the current weight-based vehicle registration system to an emissions-based system. Prior to this transition, the following discounts are available for owners of gas, electric-powered and hybrid vehicles.

Gas vehicles

Owners of gas vehicles:

What to bring to the Service Centre

All gas-powered vehicles need to pass an inspection by an authorised gas fitter if:

  • they are second-hand and you’re establishing registration
  • you’re renewing registration and the registration period exceeds 12 months from the last gas inspection.

You will need to present a passed Certificate of inspection when you visit the Service Centre.

Electric vehicles

Owners of new or used zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs) in the ACT purchased or acquired between 24 May 2021 and 30 June 2024 are eligible to receive 2 years of free registration. Vehicles transitioning from the current 2‐years’ free registration period will automatically shift to the lowest weight‐based registration fee from 24 May 2023, prior to transition to emissions-based registration from 1 July 2024.

Owners of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) with emissions of no more than 130g/km, who first register the vehicle in their name on or after 1 July 2023:

  • receive a 20% discount on registration fees for up to 12 months when the registration period commences on or before 30 June 2024.
  • pay the full fees for all other fee components and the Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) insurance premium.

Owners of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) with emissions of more than 130g/km:

  • receive a 20% discount on registration fees for up to 12 months when the registration period commences on or before 30 June 2024
  • pay the full fees for all other fee components and the Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) insurance premium.

Owners of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) with emissions of no more than 130g/km, who first register the vehicle in their name on or after 1 July 2023:

  • receive a 40% discount on registration fees for up to 12 months when the registration period commences on or before 30 June 2024.
  • pay the full fees for all other fee components and the Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) insurance premium.

A C02 calculator is available on the Green Vehicle Guide website to assist you with determining the tail pipe emissions of your vehicle.

New or used zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs) and new plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and hybrid vehicles (HEVs) purchased or acquired from 1 August 2022 receive a stamp duty exemption.

From 1 July 2023, used hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and used PHEVs will also be eligible to receive a stamp duty exemption. Find out more about zero and low emissions vehicle incentives.

What to bring to the Service Centre

All electric-powered vehicles must be inspected at an authorised station. You can visit any authorised station including the Access Canberra Motor Vehicle Inspection Station before establishing registration for the first time.

You will need to present a passed inspection report when you visit the Service Centre.