NSW Implements Permanent $60 Weekly Toll Cap, Two-Way Harbour Bridge Tolling from 2028

Major Toll Reforms Announced for New South Wales Motorists

The New South Wales (NSW) Government has unveiled a comprehensive package of toll reforms designed to alleviate cost-of-living pressures for motorists across the state. Key measures include the establishment of a permanent $60 weekly toll cap for private vehicles, the reintroduction of two-way tolling on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel, and the abolition of toll road administration fees. These changes represent a significant overhaul of the state's tolling system, with various components rolling out over the next few years.

Permanent $60 Weekly Toll Cap Now in Effect

A $60 weekly toll cap for private vehicles, initially introduced on January 1, 2024, has now been made permanent. This initiative aims to provide ongoing financial relief to hundreds of thousands of drivers, particularly those in Western Sydney and the Central Coast, who frequently use toll roads. Since its inception, the cap has already returned over $211.4 million to motorists.

Eligibility for the cap requires NSW residents to:

• Hold an active personal toll account (such as Linkt or E-Toll).
• Spend between $60 and $400 a week on eligible tolls.
• Accrue tolls on a vehicle registered for private use and below 2794kgs TARE weight.

Claims for rebates, which can amount to up to $340 weekly, can be made quarterly through Service NSW, with the process commencing in April 2024. Rideshare, taxis, business-registered vehicles, and heavy vehicles are not eligible for this specific cap.

Two-Way Tolling for Sydney Harbour Crossings from Late 2028

To help fund the permanent toll cap, the NSW Government will reintroduce two-way tolling on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel. This change is scheduled to take effect in late 2028, coinciding with the opening of the Western Harbour Tunnel. Currently, tolls on the Harbour Bridge have been charged only in one direction (southbound) since 1970.

The move is intended to address a long-standing inequity in the city's tolling system, where motorists on other toll roads already pay in both directions. Premier Chris Minns and Transport Minister John Graham have stated that this measure is necessary to ensure fairness across the network and to secure the funding required for ongoing toll relief.

Abolition of Toll Road Administration Fees by Mid-2026

In another significant reform, the NSW Government has committed to abolishing toll road administration fees. These fees, often incurred by drivers without a tolling account or for unpaid tolls, have been a source of frustration and significant cost for many motorists. In the 2024-25 financial year alone, these fees amounted to $618 million across 46 million notices.

The abolition of these fees is expected to be implemented by mid-2026 and is projected to save motorists millions of dollars annually. This measure is part of a broader effort to simplify the tolling system and reduce unexpected costs for drivers.

A Focus on Fairness and Cost-of-Living Relief

These reforms underscore the NSW Government's commitment to reorienting the state's tolling system to prioritize motorists and provide tangible cost-of-living relief. By making the $60 weekly toll cap permanent, introducing two-way tolling on harbour crossings to ensure equitable funding, and eliminating burdensome administration fees, the government aims to create a fairer and more predictable tolling environment for residents.