Australia’s biggest salary packaging and novated leasing provider, Smart, has announced major new partnerships with both Chery and Omoda Jaecoo, opening the door for thousands more Australians to access novated leasing directly through dealerships.
The move will see novated leasing integrated across a combined 143 dealerships nationwide, as Chinese automotive brands continue aggressively expanding their footprint in Australia.
The new “Chery Novated Lease powered by Smart” and “Omoda Jaecoo Novated Lease powered by Smart” programs are expected to launch in dealerships within the coming weeks.
Chery joins Smart’s leasing network
Smart has also confirmed a separate partnership with Chery, expanding novated leasing access to another 91 dealerships nationwide. Like the Jaecoo arrangement, dealership staff will be able to quote novated lease packages directly to customers during the buying process.
Sid Jha again highlighted growing interest in novated leasing among Australian car buyers, saying eligible employees can now explore lease options while shopping for their next Chery vehicle.
Chery targets fleet and salary packaging buyers
Lucas Harris, Chief Operating Officer of Chery Australia, said the partnership is designed to place more customers behind the wheel of Chery vehicles while supporting fleet and salary packaging buyers.
Harris said the deal also strengthens access to competitive ownership solutions, whole-of-life value, and the latest technology and safety features.
Chery E5 EV also eligible for EV tax incentives
The Chery E5 EV also qualifies under the federal government’s Electric car discount policy. That means eligible buyers packaging the EV through their employer can avoid Fringe Benefits Tax and significantly reduce ownership costs.
Also read: Australia’s top 5 best-selling Chinese car brands in 2025
Omoda Jaecoo also signs on Smart’s leasing network
Novated leasing will also become available across 52 dealerships of Chery’s sub-brand, Omoda Jaecoo, around Australia under the new agreement with Smart.
This partnership allows dealership staff to provide novated lease quotes directly at the point of sale, making the process far more accessible for customers shopping for a new vehicle.
Sid Jha, Smart Group Executive for Novated Leasing and Electric Vehicle Services, said the agreement reflects rising demand from Australians looking for more affordable vehicle ownership solutions.
According to Jha, more buyers are recognising novated leasing as an effective way to reduce the overall cost of owning a new car.
Omoda Jaecoo sees novated leasing as a growth opportunity
Roy Munoz, Chief Commercial Officer of Omoda Jaecoo Australia, said novated leasing is becoming an important part of the brand’s local growth strategy.
Munoz said the partnership helps make Omoda and Jaecoo vehicles accessible to a broader range of salary earners seeking more cost-effective ownership options.
Omoda Jaecoo J5 EV Gains FBT Benefits
The Jaecoo J5 EV will also qualify for the Australian Government’s electric car discount. That exemption removes Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) for eligible EVs packaged through novated leasing, potentially saving qualifying employees thousands of dollars each year.
Also read: Chery adds another brand to Australian lineup in 2027
Smart’s massive national footprint
Smart’s employer network spans sectors including government, healthcare, education, corporate businesses, and not-for-profit organisations, and it currently manages:
- More than 85,300 novated leases
- Over 580,000 customers
- More than 3,300 employer clients
What is novated leasing and what are its benefits?
A novated lease is a three-way financial agreement involving the employee, the employer, and a finance company. The employer takes over the employee’s car lease payments and running costs, which are then paid from the employee’s salary using a mix of pre-tax and post-tax income.
This salary packaging system benefits eligible Aussie employees in terms of lower income tax, one-time and ongoing GST savings, easier budgeting, and huge EV Incentives.
Bottom line
Smart’s new partnerships with Chery and Omoda Jaecoo show how quickly novated leasing is becoming a mainstream buying pathway in Australia, especially for EVs.
Both of these Chinese brands are targeting cost-conscious Australians looking for lower running costs, tax savings and predictable ownership expenses by bringing salary packaging directly into dealerships.
With Chinese carmakers rapidly expanding (#7 best-selling in 2025) locally and EV incentives still in place, novated leasing is becoming a strategic advantage in the race for acquiring a major car market share.
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