Car registration costs in Australia

From a few hundred dollars to over a thousand — that’s how much car registration can cost each year, depending on factors like the car you drive and your location.

NSW

Our most populous state does it differently to the rest. They levy an annual registration fee and then add fees according to the car you drive.

Vehicles are charged a Motor Vehicle Tax according to their mass.

More information on car registration costs in NSW is available at the state government website.

Before you can register your car in NSW, you need to buy a Green Slip, also known as Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance from one of the state's approved providers, like GIO. Both the cost of CTP and your registration fee contribute to the total amount you’ll pay to register your car.

Get a quote for your Green Slip with GIO

Victoria

In the garden state, registration fees and CTP Insurance are lumped together and administered by VicRoads. Fees will vary based on where you live, and the risk assessment associated with that region.

If you have a sedan, station wagon, hatch or 4WD, then annual fees are determined according to your risk zone:

• Melbourne metro area is deemed high-risk
• Outer metro is deemed medium-risk, and
• Rural areas are deemed low risk.

Head to the VicRoads website for more info.

Queensland

The sunshine state bundles a registration fee, CTP Insurance, and a Traffic Improvement Fee into one bundle. A levy is then applied to registration fees depending on the number of cylinders a car has.

Cars powered by electricity are charged at the same rate as a car with one, two or three cylinders.

Read more about car registration costs in Queensland.

South Australia

In South Australia, you must enter the details of your car before they’ll tell you how much you have to pay.

But in general terms, they price based on Districts. A four-cylinder car that will be garaged in District One (the highest risk) will pay more than the same car garaged in District Two.

In South Australia, you can choose from five different government-approved CTP providers, including AAMI.

Learn more about car registration in South Australia.

Western Australia

Western Australia’s Transport division relies on a vehicle's kerb mass (fancy name for weight) to determine registration, or “car license” fee as they like to call it.

A lightweight car like a Hyundai Getz, will pay less than a traditional family car like a Toyota Camry.

The state also charges a Motor Injury Insurance charge (CTP equivalent) and an administration fee.

More info on WA registration costs is available at the Department of Transport site.

Tasmania

The Apple Isle takes a similar approach as Queensland, basing registration costs on the number of cylinders in your car.

Registration costs also include the Tassie Motor Tax, and you’ll need to pay the Motor Accident Insurance Board fee (basically CTP cover).

More info on Tasmania’s car registration costs is available at the state government website.

Australian Capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory registration is broken down into:

• Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) Insurance
• a motor accident levy
• a road rescue fee/road safety contribution
• the actual registration fee.

More info is available at the Access Canberra website.

Northern Territory

In the Northern Territory, there's a:

• registration fee,
• insurance fee, and
• admin fee.

The registration fee depends on the number of cylinders and your engine size.

More info on NT car registration costs is available at the NT government site.

Summing car registration costs in Australia

It is also important to remember the cost of registration may change if you're transferring your registration from another state or territory or registering a car in your name for the first time. And for new cars, there are transfer fees, stamp duty (between two and four per cent of the purchase price) and even a cost for a set of number plates when issued for the first time.

Want personalised number plates with your car as well? This could add a few hundred dollars, in most cases – depending on the state or territory where you live.

A car may also need to be inspected before it is registered if it’s been:

• repaired and returned to the road
• imported from overseas, or
• out of registration for too long.

Yes, there'll be a fee for all the above. And in some states, you need a fresh roadworthy certificate every 12 months to renew your registration.

There’s some good news for concession card holders, though – you'll often get a discount if you have a valid concession card.

Concessions aside, all these add-ons can increase car registration costs, and you may want to consider when budgeting for your car.

Compare Car Insurance Options With GIO

Read more:

• A guide to reading your car insurance PDS
• Choosing third party property damage vs. comprehensive car insurance
• What you need to know about managing your Car Insurance policy online

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