What Is Novated Lease and Salary Packaging

A novated lease is one of the most tax-effective and convenient ways to get into a new car — and it’s not just for company executives. Whether you’re driving a hatchback for your daily commute or a 4WD for weekend adventures, a novated lease can help you save on tax and running costs while keeping your repayments predictable.

At Crestwood Group, we make salary packaging simple. We’ll walk you through what a novated lease is, how it works, and why it might be the smartest way to get behind the wheel.

How a Novated Lease works

A novated lease is an arrangement between you, your employer, and a finance company. Your employer makes the lease repayments from your pre-tax salary, which can reduce your taxable income. This means you could pay less income tax while enjoying the benefits of a new car.

The lease also bundles in running costs like fuel, insurance, servicing and registration — so everything is covered in one easy payment. You can choose the car you want (new or used, dealer or private sale) and drive it for both personal and work purposes.

Who this suits

Novated leasing is ideal for:

  • Employees who want a new or used car without paying upfront
  • People looking to reduce their taxable income
  • Anyone wanting the convenience of one regular payment covering all car costs
  • Drivers who want to upgrade their car every few years without the hassle of selling privately

 

If you change jobs during the lease, you can transfer the arrangement to your new employer or pay out the balance and keep the car.

The benefits in real life

Let’s say Sarah earns $90,000 a year and drives 20,000 km annually. With a novated lease, her lease payments come out of her pre-tax salary, reducing her taxable income and potentially saving thousands in tax over the life of the lease. Plus, because servicing, fuel and insurance are bundled in, she never has to budget for big, unexpected car bills.

What’s included in a Novated Lease package

A typical novated lease covers:

  • Vehicle lease payments
  • Comprehensive car insurance
  • Registration and CTP (Compulsory Third Party) insurance
  • Servicing and maintenance
  • Fuel or EV charging costs
  • Tyres and repairs

 

By packaging these costs, you smooth out your car expenses over the year — no nasty surprises.

Choosing the right car

You’re not locked into a certain make or model. You can pick a car that suits your lifestyle — from a fuel-efficient hatchback to a family SUV, a hybrid, or even a ute. We can also help you compare the numbers to make sure the car fits within your budget and salary packaging arrangement.

Why choose Crestwood Group

We take care of the details, explain everything in plain English, and liaise with your employer so the process is smooth from start to finish. We’ll also work to secure competitive rates and ensure your package makes financial sense for your situation.

With a novated lease from Crestwood Group, you can enjoy a newer car, predictable costs, and potential tax savings — all without dipping into your savings.