Smartgroup unveils new commitments in 2028 sustainability strategy

Leading Australian salary packaging, novated lease and fleet management provider Smartgroup has launched its 2028 sustainability strategy, strengthening its commitment to driving positive impact for people and the environment. 

Smartgroup—which operates brands including SmartTM, Smartfleet, Autopia and AccessPay—offers salary packaging to 2.4 million potential customers across its existing clients, including those working in essential frontline roles across the healthcare, education, government and not-for-profit sectors. It has around 32,400 fleet vehicles under management, and provides around 80,000 novated leases to individuals. 

CEO and Managing Director Scott Wharton said: “Our 2028 sustainability strategy, An Empowered Future, is about embedding sustainability into the very foundations of how we operate and building a platform from which we can deliver real impact. 

“An Empowered Future is a commitment to deeper customer connection, tangible benefits for all stakeholders, and long-term, responsible growth. This strategy intentionally seeks to more closely align to our corporate strategy and our strategic planning cycle, so we can sustain momentum and continue to drive positive change over the next three years.” 

Under the strategy, Smartgroup will focus on driving tangible change and impact in two key areas: 

• Smarter Ecosystems to support customers and clients to transition to a low-emissions transport future through enhanced novated lease and fleet management products and services, and innovative new partner offers;  

• Smarter Together to create more value for customers and clients through a focus on strengthening financial wellbeing and positive social outcomes. 

Smartgroup will also continue to embed sustainability into business practices and take responsibility for its impacts, including in diversity and inclusion, reducing its carbon footprint and enhancing sustainability reporting to comply with the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards from 2027. 

“Our greatest opportunity to drive improved sustainability outcomes lies in empowering others—our clients, customers, and partners—to make lower-emission choices through offering them timely, accessible and impactful solutions,” Mr Wharton said.  

“We also recognise the unique role we can play in empowering our customers to improve their financial wellbeing—through education, tools and financial solutions that help them get more from their pay—more savings, more value and more money in their pocket.” 

Key commitments in the new strategy include: 

• Ensuring at least 50% of annual novated lease orders for new vehicles are electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) by 2028; 

• Supporting fleet clients representing 25% of fleet managed vehicles to adopt a low emissions vehicle transition strategy by 2028; 

• Reducing the average emissions intensity across the total pool of novated lease and fleet managed vehicles; 

• Driving a year-on-year increase in participation in salary packaging benefits among eligible employees within the client base; 

• Continuing to offer its Carbon Offset Program to customers, with a goal to direct at least $1 million p.a. into environmental restoration via the program;   

• Increasing the financial and in-kind commitment to community and social impact initiatives to 2% of post-tax profits (NPATA) by 2028 – up from the current investment of around  
  1.7% p.a. This will include a greater focus on corporate volunteering and in-kind support for not-for-profit clients; and  

• Providing at least $250,000 in annual community investment via the Smartgroup Foundation to initiatives aligned to Smartgroup’s Social Impact Framework. 

In addition, Smartgroup has also committed to exploring science-based emission reduction targets for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and working with landlords to seek to transition its remaining offices to renewable energy. 

Diversity and inclusion will remain a key focus, with a new Diversity and Inclusion Strategy to be implemented from 2026, a second Innovate Reconcilation Plan to be published in 2026 and a focus on increasing diversity in the Smart workforce and supply chain. Employee wellbeing initiatives will focus on growth and development, enhancing psychosocial safety and driving career development via internal promotions.  

To learn more about An Empowered Future: Sustainability Strategy 2028, visit smartgroup.com.au/about-us/sustainability