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Novated Leasing Explained for Australians
The definitive guide to salary packaging a vehicle — updated for 2026 FBT rules and EV exemptions.
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Automotive Insights
Analysis, guides, and market commentary written for Australian drivers. Independent editorial — no sponsored content, no dealer partnerships.
Leasing
Novated Leasing Explained for Australians
Novated leasing remains one of Australia's most popular vehicle finance structures for salaried employees. This guide walks through the mechanics of salary packaging, the three-par...
Read ArticleUsed Cars
Top 10 Used Cars Under $30K in Australia
The sub-$30,000 used car market in Australia offers strong value in 2026, particularly for 2–4 year old vehicles coming off fleet and lease programs. Our analysis prioritises relia...
Read ArticleOwnership
How Much Does Car Ownership Really Cost?
Australians underestimate car ownership costs by an average of 35% according to our reader surveys. The purchase price or monthly payment is only part of the equation....
Read ArticleServicing
Car Servicing Intervals You Should Never Ignore
Manufacturer service schedules exist for engineering reasons, not revenue generation. Skipping or delaying these intervals causes cascading failures that cost multiples of the serv...
Read ArticleElectric Vehicles
Why Used EV Prices Are Changing Fast
The Australian used EV market is experiencing rapid price correction as new model launches, government incentives on new purchases, and battery degradation concerns reshape buyer e...
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Novated Leasing Explained for Australians
Novated leasing remains one of Australia's most popular vehicle finance structures for salaried employees. This guide walks through the mechanics of salary packaging, the three-party lease agreement, and how pre-tax deductions interact with your PAYG withholding. We examine current FBT rules including the electric vehicle exemption, and explain when novated leasing genuinely saves money versus when traditional finance may be cheaper.
If your employer offers salary packaging and you drive more than 15,000 km annually with significant work-related use, novated leasing can reduce your taxable income. The GST credit alone saves approximately 10% on the purchase price. However, employees with minimal work use and high private kilometres may find FBT costs consume most tax benefits.
Top 10 Used Cars Under $30K in Australia
The sub-$30,000 used car market in Australia offers strong value in 2026, particularly for 2–4 year old vehicles coming off fleet and lease programs. Our analysis prioritises reliability data, parts availability, resale value retention, and total cost of ownership.
1. Toyota Corolla (2019–2022) — $22,000–$28,000. Bulletproof reliability, cheap servicing. 2. Mazda CX-5 (2018–2021) — $24,000–$30,000. Premium feel, strong resale. 3. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (2020–2022) — $28,000–$32,000. Excellent fuel economy. 4. Hyundai i30 (2019–2022) — $18,000–$24,000. Long warranty transfer. 5. Subaru Outback (2018–2020) — $25,000–$30,000. AWD standard, rural favourite. 6. Kia Sportage (2019–2021) — $22,000–$28,000. 7-year warranty. 7. Mazda 3 (2019–2022) — $20,000–$26,000. 8. Toyota Hilux (2017–2019) — $28,000–$35,000 (stretches budget but holds value). 9. Honda CR-V (2018–2020) — $24,000–$29,000. 10. Volkswagen Golf (2019–2021) — $20,000–$26,000 (check DSG service history).
How Much Does Car Ownership Really Cost?
Australians underestimate car ownership costs by an average of 35% according to our reader surveys. The purchase price or monthly payment is only part of the equation.
For a typical $35,000 vehicle driven 15,000 km per year, expect annual costs of: insurance $1,400–$2,200, registration $700–$1,100, fuel $2,000–$2,800, servicing $900–$1,600, tyres $350–$600, and depreciation $3,500–$5,500. Total: $8,850–$13,800 per year, or $738–$1,150 per month — before finance interest. Over five years, your $35,000 car costs $44,000–$69,000 to own.
Car Servicing Intervals You Should Never Ignore
Manufacturer service schedules exist for engineering reasons, not revenue generation. Skipping or delaying these intervals causes cascading failures that cost multiples of the service itself.
Critical intervals: Engine oil and filter — every 10,000–15,000 km or 12 months (whichever first). Brake fluid — every 2 years regardless of kilometres. Timing belt — typically 90,000–120,000 km (interference engines suffer catastrophic damage if the belt fails). Transmission fluid — 40,000–60,000 km for automatics. Coolant — every 5 years or 100,000 km. Spark plugs — 60,000–100,000 km depending on type.
Why Used EV Prices Are Changing Fast
The Australian used EV market is experiencing rapid price correction as new model launches, government incentives on new purchases, and battery degradation concerns reshape buyer expectations.
Early Nissan Leaf and BMW i3 models have depreciated 60–70% from new prices. Meanwhile, Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Kona Electric hold value better due to range, charging network access, and brand demand. Key factors driving used EV pricing: battery health verification (degradation reports), eligible state EV rebates on new purchases (reducing demand for used), rapid technology improvement making older models feel dated, and insurance costs that remain 15–25% higher than ICE equivalents.