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Concessions for registration fees

If you’re eligible for a concession, you can receive discounts on your vehicle registration fees.

Prove your identity

Access Canberra needs to confirm your identity before it can recognise your concession. You can do this with an ACT Driver Licence.

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

Recognised concessions

The following concessions are recognised. Along with your proof of identity, you’ll need to bring valid proof of your concession.

ACT Seniors Card

If you hold an ACT Seniors Card, you can nominate one vehicle or light trailer registered in your name to receive:

  • a 10% discount on registration fees
  • a 28% discount on registration fees for gas-powered vehicles.

You still need to pay the full fees for all other fee components, including the Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) insurance premium.

To link your concession to a vehicle registered in your name, call Access Canberra on 13 22 81 or visit an Access Canberra Service Centre . Once linked, your registration renewal notice will show the discounted fee.

Read about how to apply for an ACT Seniors Card.

Services Australia (formerly Centrelink) Concession Card

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 concession, you need to complete a Concession validation consent form (PDF 231.3 KB).    Once your concession has been recorded, only your proof of concession entitlement will be required in the later visits.

Only the cardholder receives the concession, and it applies to one light vehicle or light trailer registration in their name, including caravans and motorbikes.

If you want to register a new vehicle and use your concession on an existing vehicle, you must first remove the concession from the existing vehicle by calling Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

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

Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Concession Card

Holders of a current DVA Pensioner Concession Card pay:

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

What to bring to the Service Centre

To apply for a concession, bring:

You also need to provide your DVA Unique Identification Number (UIN), which can be found on your DVA concession card or correspondence from 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

Bring your ACT Services Access Card to the Service Centre. Only the cardholder receives the concession, and it applies to one light vehicle or light trailer registration in their name.

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

Diplomats and privileged personnel

If you are a diplomat or a member of privileged personnel , you will:

To access Diplomatic concession entitlements, each individual must present their specific card: a Diplomatic (Red Card) or a Privileged Person (Blue Card).

Dependants of diplomats do not receive their own Diplomatic ID card. Instead, they must provide a letter from the Embassy introducing them as a dependant of a diplomat, along with the Guardian’s Diplomatic ID card, when being created as a client and to receive the concession entitlement.

Dependants are entitled to concessions such as exemption from driver licence fees, registration fees, and stamp duty, provided they present the necessary documentation including proof of residency.

What to bring to the Service Centre

You must present a current Diplomatic Identity Card and passport. Only the cardholder receives the concession.

Primary producers

To qualify for the Primary Producers’ concession, your vehicle must be registered for business use. Additionally, you can claim a Seniors’ concession on a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) if eligible.

Primary producers:

Primary producers with gas vehicles:

What to bring to the Service Centre

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 two 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 Access Canberra Service Centre.

Concessions for gas, hybrid, and electric vehicles

Vehicle registration fees are gradually transitioning from a weight-based to an emissions-based system.

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, OR
  • 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 Access Canberra Service Centre.

Electric and hybrid vehicles

New or used zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) receive a stamp duty exemption. Find out more about zero and low emissions vehicle incentives.

Backdating concessions

If you had your concession card before notifying Access Canberra, you might be eligible for a refund of your registration fees dating back to when you first got the card.

You must provide 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 cardholder receives the concession, and it applies to one light vehicle or light trailer registration in their name.

If you want to register a new vehicle and use your concession, which is already applied to your existing vehicle, you must remove the concession from the existing vehicle first by calling Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

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