Tesla Model 3 variants and pricing (2026)
Model 3 RWDModel 3 Long RangeModel 3 Performance
Price (+ on-road)$54,900$61,900$80,900
Range (WLTP)~513 km713 km571 km
0–100 km/h6.1 sec4.9 sec3.1 sec
DC charging170 kW250 kW250 kW
FBT exemptYesYesYes
Under LCT threshold$36,487$29,487$10,487
The Performance variant and the LCT threshold: At $80,900 the Performance sits $10,487 under the $91,387 threshold. This leaves less buffer than the RWD or Long Range, so if Tesla adjusts pricing upward, keep the threshold in mind before signing.
Novated lease costs — Model 3 RWD at $54,900
SalaryAnnual sacrificeTax savingGST saving (yr 1)Yr 1 total
$70,000~$20,290~$6,999$4,991~$11,990
$90,000~$20,290~$6,999$4,991~$11,990
$120,000~$20,290~$9,407$4,991~$14,398
Full worked example — $90,000 salary, Model 3 RWD, 3 years
Vehicle price$54,900
ATO residual (3yr, 46.88%)$25,738
Monthly finance paymentAt 7.5% p.a.~$1,068
Annual finance cost~$12,816
Annual running costsCharging, insurance, rego, servicing~$7,474
Total annual sacrificeAll pre-tax (EV exempt)~$20,290
Taxable incomeDown from $90,000$69,710
Income tax + Medicare saved34.5% marginal + 2% Medicare~$6,999
GST saving on vehicle1/11th of $54,900 (year 1 only)$4,991
FBT payableEV fully exempt$0
Year 1 total benefit~$11,990
Model 3 vs Model Y — which for a novated lease?
The Model 3 and Model Y are Tesla's two volume sellers in Australia. The decision is largely about body style: the Model 3 is a sedan, the Model Y an SUV. On a novated lease, the key differences are price and range.
Model 3 RWDModel Y RWD
Price$54,900$58,900
WLTP range~513 km466 km
Body styleSedanSUV
Cargo (boot)594L + frunk854L + frunk
Annual sacrifice (est.)~$20,290~$21,100
GST saving$4,991$5,355
The Model 3 is $4,000 cheaper and has more WLTP range on the base variant. The Model Y offers SUV practicality and more cargo space. The tax treatment on a novated lease is essentially identical — both are fully FBT exempt.
The Long Range case — is it worth the extra $7,000?
The Long Range adds $7,000 to the price (from $54,900 to $61,900) and extends WLTP range from ~513 km to 713 km. On a novated lease, that $7,000 difference flows through to your monthly payments — approximately $55–65 more per month, or $660–780/year extra from your sacrifice.
If you regularly drive more than 400 km between charges or travel frequently between cities, the Long Range pays for itself in reduced charging stops and range anxiety. For a typical commuter covering 60–80 km/day, the base RWD is more than sufficient.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tesla Model 3 eligible for the EV FBT exemption?
Yes. All three variants — RWD ($54,900), Long Range ($61,900), and Performance ($80,900) — are below the $91,387 LCT threshold and fully FBT exempt.
Does the Model 3 use the Supercharger network?
Yes. The Model 3 has full access to Tesla's Supercharger network — the largest fast-charging network in Australia with over 150 sites. It also supports CCS2 charging at third-party stations.
Can I include the Model 3 home charger in my novated lease?
The Tesla Wall Connector (home charger unit) cannot be salary-packaged as part of the novated lease. However, the electricity cost of home charging can be included in your running cost budget.