NSW drivers offered cost of living relief with lower toll caps and admin fees
In the upcoming NSW budget, motorists in the “world’s most taxed city” will be offered a cost of living rebate with lower toll caps and no administration fees for 12 months.
Finance Minister Daniel Mookehy will make the announcement when he distributes the 2026-27 provincial budget at 12.30pm on Tuesday.
Under the new measures, administrative fees will be eliminated and toll caps will drop from $60 to $50 for a year starting July 6, saving drivers more than $60 million.
The initiatives were launched as part of the NSW government’s cost of living measures to ease financial pressure on households.
Drivers who currently claim toll reductions each week will get $520 back in the financial year and save $60 million in administrative fees.
The state government estimates that about 948,000 toll accounts have reached the $60 threshold this year, and an additional 200,000 accounts would qualify for assistance under a lower cap.
Premier Chris Minns said people in Western Sydney and across Sydney use toll roads every day.
“They don’t use them for recreation, they use them to go to work, pick up the kids and keep life going,” he said.
“We can’t solve every pressure families face, but we can help. Lowering the toll cap and removing these unfair charges means more money in people’s pockets.
“Some of these admin fees were higher than the toll itself. That doesn’t make any sense to me, and we’re getting rid of them completely.”
Transport Secretary John Graham said the equivalent of a four-capacity crowd at the SCG would be provided with aid to transport to the world’s most taxed city.
“It’s an unwanted title proudly brought to you by the governing NSW Liberal Party,” he said.
“Scrapping administration fees is part of putting drivers first after decades in which the interests of private toll road owners prevailed.
“Admin fees will go away and the rest of the interface with drivers will be primarily user-friendly and digital.”
Finance Minister Daniel Mookhey said families were under real pressure and the budget measure provided practical relief that people would notice every week.
“Whether you are renewing your registration, paying tolls or taking public transport, we help reduce the daily expenses faced by households,” he said.
