Everyone knows that buying a car isn’t just about paying whatever the price tag says. There are several other payments also required before you can take that car out on the road. One of the most important is undoubtedly the vehicle registration fee, also known as the ‘rego fee’ among Australians.
The vehicle registration fee will differ depending on the state or territory. The amount of the rego fee is influenced by the vehicle type, weight, engine size, and the number of cylinders in that engine. Insurance premiums also factor into the rego cost. For first-time registrations (like with a new car), there are additional fees for inspections and others.
In the following sections, we will take a deep dive into what vehicle registration is all about and how much it costs by state and territory.
Keep on reading!
What Is a Vehicle Registration?
First and foremost, let's talk about what a vehicle registration is. Commonly referred to as the 'vehicle rego' by Australians, this document identifies a particular vehicle and its owner. In addition, of course, the document reflects government records on the vehicle, down to the engine size, colour, and other crucial details.
Vehicle registration is helpful in many different situations, and not just for the government to identify a vehicle and its owner. It’s also helpful, if not critical, in purchasing and selling a vehicle from one owner to another.
As with any other type of government documentation, the rego doesn’t come free. There is a vehicle registration cost involved, which you will have to pay if you’d like to enjoy driving your car legally on public Aussie roads.
How Does This Affect Buying and Selling Cars in Australia?
As mentioned earlier, vehicle registration plays a significant role in the buying and selling of cars. For starters, you can perform due diligence by checking a car’s registration details before you buy it. That information will let you know if the vehicle’s make, model, and colour match the car that you’re about to spend money on.
Besides that, a transfer of the registration must be made between the buyer and the seller when a car is sold off. That involves interacting with the local road authority to file the necessary paperwork and transfer the vehicle’s ownership.
Typically, that transfer process will be much simpler if it happens in the same state. That is, if the car is registered in the same state where the buyer will be registering it. However, transferring vehicle registration between states will be a bit more of a complex process, so you must be aware of that before you decide to buy a car from someone.
How Do Vehicle Registrations Work in Australia?
As you may already know, Australia is a little bit unique regarding road laws and their administration. Generally speaking, each Australian state and territory handles their road matters slightly differently, and that difference is also apparent when it comes to car rego matters.
So, that means you will have to check rego fees by the state as there isn’t a blanket, one-size-fits-all price that applies to the whole country.
For anyone wondering if diesel vehicle registration cost is any different, well, it’s not. States and territories measure rego costs differently, but the type of fuel doesn’t make a difference unless you’re talking about electric or hybrid cars. For those, there are sometimes discounts or incentives which affect rego and other costs.
What About Auto Insurance?
Vehicle registration and auto insurance go hand-in-hand, which means they are paid for and renewed together. One exception is New South Wales, where buying and renewing auto insurance is done separately.
So, when setting aside money every year to renew your vehicle registration, remember that you'll also need money to pay for insurance as well.
How Much Does Vehicle Registration Cost by State and Territory?
Now, let’s take a closer look at the vehicle registration cost in each Aussie state and territory. It's important to remember that the exact dollar figures are subject to change. Plus, there's a different cost depending on the type of vehicle you drive.
So, each section below will show you two things:
- What affects the state’s vehicle rego cost
- A link to the latest costs
Let’s take a closer look.
Australian Capital Territory Rego cost
In the ACT, the vehicle registration cost includes:
- Vehicle registration
- Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) Insurance (plus policy loading, if needed)
- Road Safety Contribution and Rescue fee
- Motor accident levy
- Lifetime care and support levy
You can find the latest rego costs for the Australian Capital Territory here.
New South Wales Rego Cost
In NSW, the vehicle registration cost includes:
- Flat registration fee
- Vehicle tax based on vehicle type
- Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance
You can find the latest rego costs for New South Wales here.
Northern Territory Rego Cost
In NT, the vehicle registration fee is in one lump sum based on the car’s engine size. It includes:
- Administration fee
- Registration fee
- Motor Accidents Compensation (MAC)
- Number plate fee (for first-time registrations)
You can find the latest rego costs for the Northern Territory here.
Queensland Rego Cost
The vehicle registration cost QLD will differ according to your preferred registration period, which can be 1, 3, 6, or a full year. The cost includes:
- Registration fee
- Traffic improvement fee
- Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance
You can find the latest rego costs for Queensland here.
South Australia Rego Cost
If you’re living in SA, the vehicle registration cost will depend on the insurance provider that you choose. In any case, the insurance cost is paid together with the registration, which includes:
- Vehicle type
- Vehicle garage location
- Vehicle use
- Number of engine cylinders
You can find the latest rego costs for South Australia here.
Tasmania Rego Cost
The vehicle registration cost in Tasmania consists of three items:
- Registration establish/renewal fee based on how many cylinders it has
- Motor tax, also based on cylinder count
- Paid Motor Accidents Insurance Board (MAIB) premiums
- Inspection, transfer, and other fees (for first-time registrations)
You can find the latest rego costs for Tasmania here.
Victoria Rego Cost
The vehicle registration cost Victoria charges drivers depends on the type of vehicle and the location in which you live (metropolitan, outer metropolitan, or rural). The rego cost includes three things, namely:
- Registration fee with insurance
- Motor vehicle duty
- Number plate fee
You can find the latest rego costs for Victoria here.
Western Australia Rego Cost
Last but not least, we have WA. Here, the cost includes:
- Registration fee (based on vehicle weight)
- Recording fee
- Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance
- Inspection, duty fees, transfer fees (for first-time registration)
You can find the latest rego costs for Western Australia here.
To learn more about vehicle rego fees by state and other payments necessary to own a car, check out the blog at Carpart.com.au.
By Ray Hasbollah