Free Car Competitions in Australia
You don't need to buy a lottery ticket to win a car. Woolworths, Coles, Toyota, Sunrise, and dozens of other brands give away cars worth $28K–$80K throughout the year — often for free or tied to purchases you're already making.
How Free Car Competitions Work
Free car competitions exist because brands have marketing budgets, and giving away a car generates far more attention than a standard ad campaign. A $50,000 car giveaway can generate millions of social media impressions, hundreds of thousands of email signups, and significant brand awareness — making it a smart investment for the promoter.
For you, this means real cars, genuinely free (or tied to purchases you'd make anyway), with no catch beyond providing your contact details and meeting the entry requirements. There are three main types:
Completely Free
No purchase required. Enter online, by social media, or via SMS. Examples: manufacturer promos, media giveaways, brand launches.
Purchase-Trigger
Buy products you'd buy anyway to qualify. Examples: supermarket promos (spend $20+), petrol station draws, brand product purchases.
Skill-Based
Write a 25-word-or-less answer, submit a photo, or complete a challenge. Free to enter, far fewer entrants — best odds.
Supermarket Car Giveaways
Australian supermarkets are among the biggest sources of free car competitions. Woolworths and Coles both run regular car giveaways tied to purchase thresholds — typically partnering with a car manufacturer or FMCG brand to share the cost.
Woolworths
Everyday Rewards Partnership PromosWoolworths runs approximately 2–3 major car giveaway promotions per year, typically partnered with car brands looking to build awareness in Australia. The entry mechanic is always tied to Everyday Rewards.
Recent Example: JAECOO J5 EV Giveaway (Jan–Feb 2026)
- Prize: JAECOO J5 EV ($36,990 drive-away)
- Frequency: 1 car per week for 4 weeks
- Period: 7 January – 10 February 2026
- Entry: Spend $20+ on participating Back to School products
- Requirement: Scan Everyday Rewards card
- Eligibility: National (18+)
How it works: Buy $20+ of participating products in a single transaction and scan your Everyday Rewards card. Entry is automatic — no forms to fill out. Multiple qualifying transactions = multiple entries. Woolworths typically partners with newer or Chinese EV brands (like JAECOO) looking for Australian market exposure.
Coles & Brand Partners
FMCG & Flybuys Partnership PromosColes partners with major FMCG brands (Arnott's, Coca-Cola, etc.) to create high-value car giveaways. These promotions often feature more premium vehicles than Woolworths, because the brand partner co-funds the prize.
Recent Example: Arnott's x Coles Ford Mustang (2025)
- Prize: Ford Mustang EcoBoost 2.3L Fastback
- Value: $79,700 (inc. rego, CTP, stamp duty, delivery)
- Extras: Bespoke seat stitching
- Entry: Purchase any 3 Arnott's products
- Requirement: Scan Flybuys card
- Closed: 2 April 2025
Shell Coles Express: Win a Mustang (2024)
- Prize: 2024 Ford Mustang GT (7th gen) + $5,000 Shell Coles Express voucher
- Entry: Purchase at Shell Coles Express during promo period
- Period: May–July 2024
Supermarket strategy: Sign up for both Everyday Rewards (Woolworths) and Flybuys (Coles). When a car promo is running, split your weekly shop into multiple qualifying transactions to maximise entries. Buy the participating products you'd normally buy anyway — just do it in separate baskets. More entries, same spend.
Manufacturer & Dealer Giveaways
Car manufacturers run their own competitions to drive showroom traffic, reward existing customers, and generate buzz around new models. These are some of the most overlooked free car competitions because they're promoted through dealership networks rather than mass media.
Toyota Australia
MOST ACTIVE MANUFACTURERToyota is by far the most active manufacturer for car giveaways in Australia. They run multiple competitions simultaneously, often tied to servicing or dealership visits.
Recent Toyota Giveaways
| Competition | Prize | Entry Method | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service & Win | Toyota RAV4 + $5K in products | Service your Toyota during promo | Closes Sep 2025 |
| Win a C-HR | Toyota C-HR | Book service online (NSW/ACT only) | Dec 2025 – Feb 2026 |
| Australia Zoo Hilux | Hilux 4x4 + caravan + fridge | Partnership promotion | Dec 2025 – Jan 2026 |
Tip: Toyota's "Service & Win" competitions are brilliant because you're paying for servicing you need anyway. If you own a Toyota, always check toyota.com.au before booking your next service — there's often a car giveaway attached.
Mazda
Mazda partners with third parties for giveaways. Recent: EzLicence gave away a 2025 Mazda 2 G15 Evolve ($28,990) with entries closing February 2026.
Check ezlicence.com.au and Mazda dealership websites for current promos.
Hyundai & Kia
Both brands run event-based competitions. Hyundai's N Festival features vehicle giveaways. Kia leverages its 25-year Australian Open sponsorship for VIP experience competitions.
Follow social media for announcements — these are often short-window entry periods.
New & Chinese EV Brands
Newer brands entering Australia (JAECOO, Chery, XPENG, BYD) use car giveaways heavily to build awareness. With 67 brands now competing in the Australian market, expect more manufacturer giveaways as competition intensifies.
These brands are hungry for exposure — their competitions tend to have simpler entry requirements.
Luxury Brands
BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi rarely run direct giveaways in Australia. Luxury car prizes typically come through charity lotteries (Act for Kids Mercedes-Benz draws) or third-party car enthusiast groups.
For luxury cars, charity lotteries are your best bet — see our complete car guide.
Petrol Station Car Promotions
Petrol station car giveaways are less common than supermarket ones, but they do happen — and they're tied to something you're doing anyway: filling up your car.
Shell / Coles Express
The Shell x Coles Express partnership has produced some of the best petrol station car prizes. Their 2024 Ford Mustang GT + $5,000 voucher giveaway was a standout. Entry was automatic with any purchase during the promo period.
Keep an eye on Shell Coles Express forecourt signage and the Shell app for current promotions.
BP & Brand Partnerships
BP hosts brand-sponsored promotions. Suntory Oceania ran a 2025 BP-exclusive promo with a Ford Ranger XLS (or boat with trailer, or $50K travel voucher) — total prize pool $77,012. Entry through beverage purchases at BP.
These are often beverage-brand partnerships (Suntory, Coca-Cola) rather than direct BP promotions.
Heads up: Petrol station car competitions are less frequent than supermarket ones. Don't go out of your way to fill up at a specific station for a comp — but if you're already there, check for any active promotions on the pump screen, app, or in-store signage.
Media & Brand Partnership Giveaways
TV shows, radio stations, and online brands use car giveaways to drive engagement. These are genuinely free — often requiring just an SMS, phone call, or online entry during a specific window.
TV Shows
Sunrise (Channel 7)
Regular car giveaways, often partnered with emerging brands. Recent prizes include:
- Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max 7-seat SUV ($47,990)
- Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid
Entry: code words announced on-air, enter via SMS or online. Browse all Sunrise competitions.
Today Show (Channel 9)
The Today Show partners with car brands for high-value giveaways. Recent example:
- Mahindra XUV700 AX7L SUV ($42,990) + 5x $1,000 cash prizes
- Entry: 25 words or less — "Why do you deserve to win?"
Today Show car comps are often skill-based (25WOL), meaning fewer entrants and better odds. Browse all Today Show competitions.
Radio & Online
Radio Networks
Major networks run car giveaways year-round:
- 2GB Sydney: Peugeot 5008 GT Premium Hybrid SUV
- Hit Network / iHeart: Regular vehicle prizes
- 3AW, 6PR: State-specific car competitions
Entry: listen for code words, call in, or enter online.
Online / Subscription
Kogan FIRST runs recurring car giveaways for subscribers — recent prizes include a Ford Ranger and cash alternatives. Winners include Patricia L. ("I still can't believe it, I've never had anything my whole life") and Anne-Marie ("It means a lot with 2 little kids. Life-changing").
Pro tip: State-specific radio competitions (2GB Sydney, 3AW Melbourne, 6PR Perth) have far fewer entries than national TV show giveaways. If your local station is running a car comp, enter immediately — your odds are significantly better than a national Sunrise giveaway.
Free Comps vs Charity Car Lotteries
Free car competitions and charity car lotteries aren't competing strategies — they're complementary. Here's how they compare, and why you should be entering both.
| Feature | Free-Entry Comps | Charity Lotteries |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $0 (or normal purchases) | $2–$100+ per ticket |
| Prize range | $28K–$80K | $34K–$510K+ |
| Typical odds (per entry) | 1 in 50K–2M | 1 in 5K–100K |
| Cash alternative | Rarely | Usually (80–90%) |
| Best for | Volume — enter everything | Value — bigger prizes, better odds/ticket |
| Your money | Goes to corporate marketing | Funds registered charities |
Why Enter Free Comps
- Zero financial risk
- Unlimited entries across multiple comps
- Skill-based entries give you an edge
- Purchase-trigger comps use spend you'd make anyway
Why Also Enter Charity Draws
- 5–10x bigger prizes
- Far better odds per ticket
- Cash alternative usually available
- Your money supports a good cause
See our guide: Charity Car Competitions
How to Find Free Car Competitions
1. Competitions.com.au
Our car competitions page lists both free and paid car draws, updated daily. Create an account to save favourites and receive notifications when new car competitions are added.
2. Loyalty Apps
Everyday Rewards (Woolworths), Flybuys (Coles), Shell app, and BP Rewards all push notifications for new car promotions. Install the apps and enable promotional notifications — you'll know about car giveaways before most people.
3. Manufacturer Websites
Bookmark toyota.com.au, mazda.com.au, hyundai.com.au, and kia.com/au. Check the "offers" or "competitions" section monthly. These promos are easy to miss because they're not heavily advertised outside dealer networks.
4. Social Media & TV
Follow Sunrise, Today Show, your local radio station, and car brands on social media. Turn on post notifications for brands that regularly run competitions. For social media competitions, entering in the first few hours gives you the best visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are free car competitions actually real?
Yes. Brands spend billions on marketing every year. A $50,000 car giveaway that generates 500,000 entries (and email addresses) costs the equivalent of $0.10 per lead — far cheaper than most digital advertising. Woolworths, Toyota, Sunrise, and similar reputable companies wouldn't risk their brand by running fake competitions. All are regulated under Australian state trade promotion legislation.
Do I have to pay tax if I win a free car?
No. In Australia, competition prizes — including cars — are generally not taxable income. This applies to both free-entry and paid-entry competitions. You won't pay income tax when you receive the vehicle. However, if you later sell the car for more than its market value at the time of winning, capital gains tax may apply. See our competition tax guide for details.
How often does Woolworths give away a car?
Woolworths runs approximately 2–3 major car giveaway promotions per year, typically timed around Back to School (January), mid-year, and the holiday season. Each promotion usually gives away multiple cars over several weeks. Sign up for Everyday Rewards and enable promotional notifications to be first to know.
Can I take cash instead of the car in a free competition?
Rarely for commercial competitions. Most supermarket, manufacturer, and media giveaways award the specific car advertised with no cash alternative. This is one key advantage of charity car lotteries, which almost always offer a cash alternative (typically 80–90% of prize value). If having the option of cash matters to you, charity draws are the better choice.
What are the odds of winning a supermarket car competition?
National supermarket car promotions typically receive hundreds of thousands to millions of entries. Your odds on a single entry are roughly 1 in 500,000–2,000,000. However, most promos allow multiple entries (one per qualifying transaction), and promotions giving away multiple cars (like Woolworths' "1 car per week for 4 weeks") effectively multiply your chances. Maximise entries by splitting purchases into separate qualifying transactions.
Does the car come with registration and insurance?
Most free car prizes include 12 months of registration, CTP insurance, stamp duty, and dealer delivery. This means you can drive away without upfront costs. However, comprehensive insurance is never included — you'll need to arrange that yourself (budget $1,500–$3,000+ per year for a new car). Always read the prize description carefully to confirm what's included.
Free Car Competition Checklist
Install Everyday Rewards & Flybuys apps
Bookmark manufacturer competition pages
Check car competitions page weekly
Split purchases for multiple entries
Enter every 25WOL car comp you find
Follow local radio stations for car giveaways
Start Entering Free Car Competitions Today
Browse every active car competition in Australia — free-entry giveaways, purchase-trigger promos, charity lotteries, and more. All verified, updated daily.
Want even bigger prizes? Charity car lotteries offer cars worth up to $510K:
Charity Car Guide | Complete Car Guide | Win a House ($2.8M–$14M+)Disclaimer
This article provides general information about free-entry car competitions in Australia. Specific promotions, prizes, and closing dates change regularly — always verify current details on the promoter's official website before entering. Competitions.com.au is an independent information resource and is not affiliated with Woolworths, Coles, Toyota, or any other brand mentioned. Entry requirements and eligibility vary by promotion.