When you start salary packaging with Eziway, one of the first decisions you will face is how you want to access your pre-tax funds. There are two main options available: using the Eziway Salary Packaging Card or claiming through the manual reimbursement method.
Both approaches are ATO-approved and offer genuine tax savings. The difference lies in how you spend, substantiate, and manage your benefits. Understanding how each option works can help you choose the arrangement that best fits your lifestyle and financial habits.
What Is the Salary Packaging Card?
The Eziway Salary Packaging Card is an all-in-one card that gives you direct access to your pre-tax funds at the point of sale. Rather than paying out of pocket and waiting for a reimbursement, your salary packaging deductions accumulate on the card and you spend them directly, like a regular debit card.
For Living Expenses, the card can be used at a wide range of merchants for everyday costs such as:
For Meal Entertainment, a separate card account is available for use at sit-down dining establishments and accommodation venues. This account operates based on the merchant category code at the point of payment, so it will only work at qualifying dining or accommodation providers.
What Is Manual Claiming?
The manual reimbursement method, sometimes referred to as submitting a claim, works differently. Under this approach, you pay for eligible expenses using your own money, then submit receipts and documentation to Eziway to be reimbursed directly into your nominated bank account with your pre-tax salary packaging funds.
You can submit claims through several channels:
Substantiation requirements will vary depending on the expense type. For example, mortgage and personal loan claims typically require a statement or loan schedule, while rental claims require a rental agreement or 12 months of rent receipts.
How Do They Compare?
Here is a side-by-side overview of how the two methods differ:
| Salary Packaging Card | Manual / Reimbursement Claiming | |
| How it works | Pre-tax funds loaded onto your card. Spend at qualifying merchants directly. | Pay out of pocket, then submit receipts to claim reimbursement into your bank account. |
| Receipts required? | No, successful card transactions are automatically deemed compliant. | Yes, itemised receipts, tax invoices or statements must be provided for every claim. |
| ATO compliance | Automatic. Compliance is built into the card system. | Your responsibility to retain and submit valid substantiation. |
| Access to funds | Immediate. Funds accumulate on card as deductions are made. | After the claim is processed by Eziway and approved. |
| Best suited for | Frequent, everyday expenses such as groceries, fuel, bills, and dining. | Larger expenses such as mortgages, rent, and personal loans. Or less frequent expenses such as the accommodation paid for on an annual holiday. |
| Flexibility |
Living Expenses: transacts wherever Master Card is accepted Meal Entertainment: Limited to merchants that accept the card's merchant category code. |
Most eligible expenses can be claimed with the right documentation. |
| Tracking your balance | Real-time balance visible in the Eziway App and desktop portal. | Visible through the Eziway App and desktop portal. |
The Benefits of Using the Salary Packaging Card
The card is designed to make salary packaging as simple as possible. Because successful transactions are automatically deemed compliant, there is no need to hold onto receipts or complete claim forms for everyday spending. This removes a significant administrative burden of needing to submit claims and hold receipts.
The card also gives you real-time visibility over your balance through the Eziway App and desktop portal, so you always know what you have available to spend. Transactions over $200 require a PIN. In these cases, select the Credit option at the EFTPOS terminal.
There are a few things to be aware of when using the card:s
It is also important to clear your card balance before the end of the FBT year on 31 March. Any unspent funds will roll over into the next FBT year and be deducted from that year's annual cap, which can reduce your future benefit entitlement.
Missed payments are among the most damaging entries on a credit file, particularly when they escalate into defaults.
The Benefits of Manual Claiming
Manual claiming gives you more flexibility when it comes to the types of expenses you can package. It is the preferred method for expenses that cannot easily be transacted at a point of sale, such as mortgage repayments, rent, and personal loans.
It is also useful for situations where you have already paid for an expense and want to be reimbursed after the fact. For first-time Meal Entertainment claimants, this is particularly valuable. Dine-in meal receipts can be backdated by up to three years, and accommodation receipts by up to five years.
The key consideration with manual claiming is substantiation. Valid documentation must be provided for every claim, and it is your responsibility to retain and submit the appropriate receipts or statements. Claims submitted without adequate documentation may not be approved.
Can You Use Both Methods?
Yes, and in many cases, using both methods together is the most effective approach to maximising your salary packaging benefits.
However, you can only adopt one method per benefit.
Examples:
If you are currently set up with the card and wish to submit a manual claim as well, please contact Eziway first. We can confirm your remaining cap balance and discuss which option will be suitable and compliant moving forward.
Getting Set Up
If you are not yet using the Salary Packaging Card, ordering one is straightforward. Log in to the Eziway App or desktop portal, navigate to the Cards Tab, and select Card Application. Once your card is ordered, it is typically dispatched within a few business days and arrives within 10 to 12 business days.
Your card will need to be activated before first use. You can do this through the Eziway App or website by navigating to the Cards Tab and selecting the Card Activation icon. You will need the activation code included with your card.
If you are unsure which method is best suited to your circumstances, or if you would like help reviewing your current packaging arrangement, the Eziway team is available to assist.
Making the Most of Your Salary Packaging
Whether you prefer the convenience of the card, the flexibility of manual claiming, or a combination of both, Eziway's role is to help you access your full benefit entitlement in a way that works for you.
If you have questions about which method suits your situation, how to order a card, or how to submit your first claim, reach out to the Eziway team on 1800 932 394 or at admin@eziway.net.au.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial or taxation advice. Individual salary packaging arrangements are subject to your employer's policies and personal circumstances. Please contact Eziway or seek independent financial advice for guidance specific to your situation.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial or taxation advice. Individual salary packaging arrangements are subject to your employer's policies and personal circumstances. Please contact Eziway or seek independent financial advice for guidance specific to your situation.
