Yes, you can request an account report for your lease at any time from the client portal. This report shows your account balance and all transactions that have taken place on your account up to that date.

We’ll continually monitor your novated lease account to ensure that you are travelling in accordance with what you initially estimated and that your expenses on your car are in line with the established budgets.

If there’s a discrepancy that is consistent over a period of a few months, we’ll get in touch with you to suggest and discuss a remedy. This may involve an amendment to your salary deductions, but rest assured that this can only occur with your specific written approval.

To request a reimbursement, download the expense claim form here (or contact us for a copy).

Fill out the relevant sections of the form, sign it and send it (along with the tax invoice and/or tax receipts) to clients@leaselab.com.au, and we’ll process the reimbursement for payment.

Alternatively, you can also submit a reimbursement request through your client portal.

Please note that we can only process the reimbursement for payment if we have the required documentation and there are sufficient funds in your novated lease account. Where there is additional documentation required, or there are insufficient funds in your account, we’ll contact you directly to discuss your options.

If you change employers while you’re on a novated lease, your new employer just needs to agree to make your car lease payments from your pre-tax salary. Your old employer will stop paying your lease when they stop paying your salary.

If your new employer gives the ok, we’ll get them to sign a one-page novation agreement (which simply says that they’ll make payments on your behalf while you’re employed with them). Then, we’ll give your employer the pre-tax and post-tax deduction numbers to enter into their payroll system, they enter these numbers and we’re done. We’ll be happy to chat to your new employer to walk them through the process, and we’ve got a handy employer guide if they prefer reading the details online.

At the end of the lease you can choose to:

1. Keep your car by paying off the residual,
2. sell your car, use the money to pay the residual, pocket the difference as a profit and get into a new car on a new lease, or,
3. Refinance the residual in a new novated lease (keep going and worry about it later)

Most of our clients like to sell their car and hop into a new one by setting up  a new novated lease when the previous one ends, and we can help you sell the car without any hassle.

Renewing your lease is a bit quicker because we’ve already got your details. We’ll give you a call 3-6 months before it ends to chat through your options and get the process moving so that it’s a quick transition. Most people are excited to jump into a new car, but if you don’t want to renew, you don’t have to. We can always help you sell your car to pay off the residual, and if the residual is lower than your car’s market price (which it usually is), you’ll pocket the difference. If you want to sell your car on your own that’s no problem too. Just let us know what you choose and we’ll help you get it done.

If you need to cancel your lease at any time, you can. You just have to pay the remaining lease payments and residual. If your lease has been running for a while, chances are that the value of your car will be higher than the amount owing, so you will be able to sell the car and pay off the lease. If you want to end the lease in its early stages, the car may well be worth less than the outstanding amount, so you will have to put in some of your own money.

It’s worth noting that most financiers don’t charge any fees for ending a lease early. In fact, they often give a discount if you end the lease early. It’s rare that a customer would want to end a lease early (because they miss out on pre-income tax savings), but it’s definitely possible and we’d arrange this with the financier for you. And of course we’re always happy to chat through your options first. It’s important to note that if you lose your job, you can take on the lease payments yourself until you find a new job, and then transfer your lease to your new employer when you’re ready.

If you’ve taken out insurance with our fleet insurance provider, please contact our insurance underwriter (Mercurien) on 02 8123 6902. Use your registration number as the reference. They’ll take you through the whole process so you can make an informed decision on what you’d like to do. If you’ve insured your car through your own insurer, you’ll need to follow the process outlined by them.

Some items are not considered to be legitimate car operating costs by the ATO therefore they are unable to be included in a Novated Lease.

These items include but are not restricted to Road Tolls, Parking Expenses, Fines & Infringements costs and vehicle options or accessories fitted after the delivery of the car. These items are therefore payable directly by you.

If you leave your employer, either voluntarily or involuntarily, the Deed of Novation between you, your employer and the financier is terminated. You become directly responsible for the payment of your Lease rental to the financier and for your car’s operating costs. Be sure to get in touch with us so we can take you through the process.

If you are changing employer, you can transfer your Lease to a new Novated Lease arrangement with your new employer. We can assist with this process. You may need to cover the Novated Lease rental and the car’s operating costs until there are sufficient funds received from your new employer’s salary deductions. The financier usually charges a fee for this, which you will be responsible for paying.

We will reconcile your actual expenses against the amount received from your salary deductions with your original employer. If there is a surplus balance, it will be refunded to you. If there is a shortfall, we will be in contact to determine the best method for the payment.

We require notification of your impending departure as soon as you are aware you are leaving your employer. We will contact the financier with the relevant information and we will assist you through the process.

You can include your car insurance with your novated lease and make it much more cost effective, as it comes out of your pre-tax salary.

If you’ve included an insurance budget in your novated lease, you can either insure your vehicle through Leaselab’s insurance provider, or choose your own insurer. Your choice.

If you choose our quality fleet policy, everything’s taken care of. The premium is paid monthly through your account and will automatically renew on an annual basis.

Our policy is specially tailored for novated leases and may have the following inclusions for FY24/25 policies:

• Choice of repairer
• Gap cover unlimited
• New vehicle replacement 12 months “new for old”
• One excess-free windscreen (front, side, rear glass) per policy period, then full excess shall apply thereafter.
  Note: Excess-free glass does not apply to glass roof.
• Two excess-free windscreen repairs (conditions as above)
• Accessories - $5,000
• Driver transportation up to 100 kms
• Emergency costs - $1,500
• Expediting costs - $3,000
• Personal property - $1,000.
  ‍Note: Child seat or baby capsule included in personal property.‍
• Sign writing - $5,000
• Faultless excess - Third Party to be clearly identified (see excess outline above)
• Hire car costs following theft and accident - $100 per day, $2,500 AOL
• Towing costs (included below)
• Travelling and accommodation - $1,000
• Locks and keys - $2,500
• Trailer cover - $1,000
• Clean up costs - $25,000, includes towing costs
• Emergency services costs / fire brigade - $10,000
• Completion of journey costs

‍

In regards to the excess:

• For Standard ICE, Standard Hybrids, Standard EVs and Standard BYD, the excess is $1,200 / $800*

• For Prestige/European, Prestige Hybrids, Prestige EVs and Prestige BYD, the excess is $1,600 / $1,200*

• For High Performance (including WRX), High Performance Hybrids, High Performance EVs and High Performance BYD, the excess is $1,600 / $1,200*
• EV Excess (including all Tesla Models) is $2,000 / $1,600*

• For vehicles over $100,000, the excess is 1.5% of the Sum Insured*

* If the Mercurien App is installed and being used, the excess is reduced by $400

‍

Please note: You should always consult the product disclosure statement. We’ll email you this information. If you don’t have it, just ask.

This policy and coverage are provided by our insurance partner, Mercurien, and the inclusions/exclusions change, so please check the PDS.

If you choose to insure your vehicle through your own preferred provider, you will be required to make payments directly to your insurance provider.

At Leaselab, we are committed to providing you with flexible and convenient options for managing your insurance expenses. Opting for pay-by-the-month insurance offers you several advantages that ensure your financial stability and seamless operations.

Should you choose an annual payment policy, we will reimburse your costs in 12 equal instalments over 12 months to ensure your running costs budget is not adversely affected.

If you choose your own insurer, it’s important to note that most vehicle insurance policies do not cover you for any “gap” between the insured vehicle value and the amount owing on the lease. If your vehicle is written off, this can leave you in a position where your insurance payout will not cover the amount owing on your lease.

You would then need to pay the additional “gap” amount out of your pocket. Leaselab provided insurance is specifically designed for novated leases and covers this “gap”.

We strongly suggest that if you opt for your own private policy, that you investigate an agreed value for the vehicle.

Your insurance should be flexible and convenient, so you have the option to bundle your own insurance with our pay-by-the-month insurance program.

Efficient Budgeting for Pre-Tax Benefits

We understand the importance of managing your operating expenses effectively. By selecting pay-by-the-month insurance, you can still allocate funds for insurance as part of your operating expenses. The unique advantage is that these funds are accessed as pre-tax benefits, helping you optimise your financial planning.

Convenient Monthly Direct Debit

Setting up pay-by-the-month insurance is hassle-free. All you need to do is select an insurance policy that suits your needs and set up a monthly direct debit with the insurance provider of your choice. This ensures that your insurance payments are consistent and predictable.

No Out-of-Pocket Expenses

We ensure that you're never out of pocket due for insurance payments. On the first day of each month, we will transfer the required amount to your account. This arrangement ensures that your budget remains intact and your financial obligations are met without causing any undue strain.

Smoother Financial Flow

Managing your finances is all about balance. Pay-by-the-month insurance prevents your account from experiencing a sudden significant deduction, which could impact other budgeted expenses and delay reimbursements. This seamless flow ensures better financial stability and operational continuity.

Calculated Lease & Operating Expenses

When you choose pay-by-the-month insurance, we've got your budget covered. We'll calculate your lease and operating expenses to incorporate the new cost of your chosen insurance policy. This way, your financial planning remains accurate and up-to-date.

The Choice That Makes Sense

While annual insurance might seem appealing initially, your novated lease offers you the advantage of accessing pre-tax funds. This means that the net cost difference between policies, even those offering discounts for annual payment, is minimal. Ultimately, the peace of mind and financial stability you gain far outweigh any nominal discount for opting for an annual policy and ensures the flow of your pre-tax expenditure.

As the car owner, the registration renewal notice will always be sent directly to you approximately one month before the expiry date (this may vary by state). If you have changed your address, please verify with your state's registration authority to ensure they have the correct address on file.

For a new car, the first 12 months of registration is usually included in the vehicle's “drive away price”. About 11 months after your lease commences, you’ll receive a renewal notice.

Once you receive the renewal notice, you have two options:

1. Direct payment by us: Send us a copy of the renewal notice two weeks prior to the due date, and we’ll pay the relevant authority directly for you.
2. Reimbursement: Pay the renewal fee yourself and request a reimbursement from us for the amount paid.

If your novated lease is for a pre-loved car and the registration is due for renewal within the first few months of your lease, you might not have sufficient funds accrued in your account to cover the cost. In this case, you’ll need to cover the upfront cost, but we will reimburse you once your account has accrued sufficient funds.

Contact us to check your account position and to determine the best way to handle your registration.

If you have any questions, please call us at 1300 888 594, request a callback, or email us at any time.

*Please note that NSW drivers will be required to make payment for their Compulsory Third Party Insurance directly. CTP insurance often requires you to provide information about your driving history, which can influence the cost of the insurance based on your driving record. Once purchased, please forward the documentation along with a completed expense claim form to us for reimbursement. Alternatively, you can submit this reimbursement claim via the online client portal.

At Leaselab, we suggest WEX Motorpass Roadside Assist.

WEX Motorpass Roadside Assist is provided in partnership with AGA Assistance Australia Pty Ltd, trading as ‘Allianz Global Assistance’.

Whenever you request roadside assistance under the arrangements available to you as a WEX Motorpass Roadside Assist member, you will be making that request to Allianz Global Assistance.

1. Call 1300 170 719
2. ‍Our roadside assistance specialist partner, WEX Motorpass, will give you immediate assistance and guide you through everything you need to know.
3. WEX Motorpass will ask for the following:
   • Your name and telephone number
   • Your breakdown location (stating the nearest cross street where possible)
   • Your vehicle registration number
   • Your WEX Motorpass Roadside Assist membership number and expiry date or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
   • A description of the problem

• 10% off (by avoiding GST)
• An additional pre-tax income saving (varies greatly depending on your personal tax position, but usually at least 15%)

Depending on how your novated lease is structured, you should save at least 25% on your average fill-up, every time.

In other words, if you put 50 litres in your tank at $2 per litre, everyone else will be paying $75, but you’ll be paying $56 (or less) once the tax advantage from the novation is factored in. That’s a whopping $19 off your average tank of fuel!

Depending on your circumstances, we'll tell you exactly what you can get.

The costs of using the fuel card are wrapped into the management fee.

Just be aware that some providers (such as Coles Express) charge a 1.5% fee for use of the fuel card, so it’s worth asking before you fill up.

When your novated car is running low on juice, simply head to a fuel station like you normally would. But when you go to pay, just use your Leaselab fuel card to pay instead of whatever card (or cash) you pay with normally.

The Leaselab fuel card is secured by your own PIN and is accepted at 93% of stations.

The car can only be used to purchase fuel and oil - not other items (like drinks and snacks).

If you don't want to use the fuel card, then thats ok. We'll always reimburse you if you just send us the receipt, so don't worry if you don't have it on you.

Your account report provides all your fuel transactions (all of your expenditures) in one place for tax time. An Excel spreadsheet is available too, if required.

1. Are there any restrictions for using the fuel card?

Our fuel cards can only be used for fuel and oil. Some providers allow their fuel cards to be used for other things such as servicing, however we have found that this can be problematic, so we have a separate system in place for paying these types of expenses (see the servicing section).

2. Which petrol stations can I use my fuel card at?

95% of service stations accept our fuel card. These include 7-Eleven, Ampol, Apco, BP, Burmah, Caltex, Coles Express, EG Fuelco, Freedom Fuels, Independent, Kwik Fuels, Liberty, Metro, Mobil, Peal, Puma, Shell, United, Woolworths and more. If you fill up at a station that doesn’t accept this Motorpass card, just pay for the fuel yourself, get a receipt and we’ll reimburse you.

3. What happens if I use more petrol than is listed in my novated lease quotation?

If you are continually overspending on fuel, we’ll contact you to arrange a budget recalculation. We’ll use the data on your previous fuel spending to work out what your budget should actually be. We’ll then agree with you on what your new budget will be and, with your permission, increase the amount of your salary sacrifice to cover the difference.

4. What happens if I don’t have my fuel card and purchase fuel without it, can I be reimbursed?

Yes, absolutely. Just put in a reimbursement request accompanied by a copy of the receipt and we’ll reimburse you for the fuel purchase.

5. What happens if I lose my fuel card?

Not a problem. Let us know ASAP so we can stop other people from using it, and then we’ll order you a new one. Just like a credit card.

Your tyres usually need replacement after they’ve travelled between 40,000 and 50,000 kilometres. To prolong the life of your tyres, we suggest that you regularly check the tyre pressure, including the spare.

Usually a tyre rotation and wheel alignment is completed during your regular car service.

Where you go to replace, rotate or repair your tyres is up to you. However, we recommend you go to a dedicated tyre supplier. To reduce any complications with the maintenance of your car, we recommend that you always replace your tyres with the same tyre specifications that are already on the car, as that’s what is recommended by the manufacturer.

When you drop your car off for the tyres to be replaced, rotated or repaired, advise the service centre that your car is part of the Leaselab service network, and for all authorisation and payment please have them call us on 1300 888 594.

Alternatively, you can make payment to the repairer yourself and we’ll organise a direct reimbursement to you out of your account.

If you opted for a new car with your novated lease, or your used car is still under warranty, be sure to consult your car’s service and maintenance book or the manufacturer’s website for any guidelines. Your warranty may be voided if you choose not to use an accredited repairer, so be sure to check any special requirements.

Other than complying with your vehicle warranty requirements, you are free to use any qualified servicing provider.

When your car needs maintenance or is due for a service, you can book it in with a repairer at a time and day that suits you best. It’s always a good idea to inform us when you book in the service so we can contact the service centre ahead of time to ensure a smooth process.

When you drop your car off for a service, advise the service centre that your car is part of the Leaselab service network. And for all authorisation and payments, please have them call us on 1300 888 594.

Alternatively, you can make payment to the repairer yourself and we’ll organise for a direct reimbursement to you out of your account.

If you’ve had an accident and have leaselab insurance included, we’re here to help

Simply contact our insurance underwriter (Mercurien) on 02 8123 6902. Advise them that you have a Novated Lease with leaselab and use your registration number as a reference.

They will take you through the whole process so you can make an informed decision on what you would like to do.

If you have your own insurance, please call their claim line for assistance and once the process is finalised, please notify us.

If you have our Roadside Assistance policy included, we’re here to help. Follow the below steps and we’ll help you get on your way again.

• Call 1300 170 719

• Our roadside assistance specialist partner, WEX Motorpass, will give you immediate assistance and guide you through everything you need to know.

• WEX Motorpass will ask for the following:
  • Your name and telephone number
  • Your breakdown location (stating the nearest cross street where possible)
  • Your vehicle registration number
  • Your WEX Motorpass Roadside Assist membership number and expiry date or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
  • A description of the problem

If you take out roadside assistance as part of your package, it will include:

• 24-hour roadside assistance
• Towing
• Provision of sufficient emergency fuel (if required)
• Assistance changing a flat tyre
• Assistance with lost or locked keys
• Assistance with flat of faulty batteries

The Leaselab policy is specially tailored for novated leases and may have the following inclusions for FY24/25 policies:

• Choice of repairer
• Gap cover unlimited
• New vehicle replacement 12 months “new for old”
• One excess-free windscreen (front, side, rear glass) per policy period, then full excess shall apply thereafter.
  Note: Excess-free glass does not apply to glass roof.
• Two excess-free windscreen repairs (conditions as above)
• Accessories - $5,000
• Driver transportation up to 100 kms
• Emergency costs - $1,500
• Expediting costs - $3,000
• Personal property - $1,000.
  ‍Note: Child seat or baby capsule included in personal property.‍
• Sign writing - $5,000
• Faultless excess - Third Party to be clearly identified (see excess outline above)
• Hire car costs following theft and accident - $100 per day, $2,500 AOL
• Towing costs (included below)
• Travelling and accommodation - $1,000
• Locks and keys - $2,500
• Trailer cover - $1,000
• Clean up costs - $25,000, includes towing costs
• Emergency services costs / fire brigade - $10,000
• Completion of journey costs

‍

In regards to the excess:

• For Standard ICE, Standard Hybrids, Standard EVs and Standard BYD, the excess is $1,200 / $800*

• For Prestige/European, Prestige Hybrids, Prestige EVs and Prestige BYD, the excess is $1,600 / $1,200*

• For High Performance (including WRX), High Performance Hybrids, High Performance EVs and High Performance BYD, the excess is $1,600 / $1,200*
• EV Excess (including all Tesla Models) is $2,000 / $1,600*

• For vehicles over $100,000, the excess is 1.5% of the Sum Insured*

* If the Mercurien App is installed and being used, the excess is reduced by $400

Budget recalculations cannot be initiated within the first 3 months of your account. This policy is in place to provide stability and consistency at the commencement of your lease cycle.

This also enables your employer and payroll manager to have a firm understanding of the correct deductions to be made from your salary. It allows them to adjust your payroll without disruptions, minimising any administrative challenges associated with sudden changes in deductions.

This policy also ensures that the costings provided by you at the time of signing up correspond accurately to your actual usage. This validation process safeguards against errors that might arise from immediate budget changes, ensuring a reliable foundation for your novated lease.

If you encounter unexpected expenses that were not accounted for in your original budget (for example a major service), we have a process in place to assist you.

We offer a temporary re-costing option that aligns with your pay-roll cycle. This allows you to adjust your budget temporarily to accommodate the unforeseen expenses.

Reimbursement for un-budgeted items will occur in line with your pay-cycle and the additional amount of funds contributed to the novated lease operating costs via your pre-tax salary. The amount to be reimbursed will be divided into equal instalments, ensuring minimal disruption to your regular financial flow.

The temporary re-costing process can be implemented for up to a 3-month period. This gives you the flexibility to manage unexpected expenses over an extended period without straining your finances.

Each reimbursement request submitted will undergo a thorough review. If the additional purchases have the potential to increase the Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) base value of your vehicle, we will contact you to further discuss the request before proceeding with the reimbursement process.

For either a permanent or temporary re-costing to take effect, it must be approved by your employer or payroll manager. This step ensures that the adjustment aligns with your workplace's financial management guidelines.