How much does it cost to register a vehicle in Australia?

Vehicle registration costs vary state-to-state, which can be confusing (to say the least). Usually your registration will be made up of various admin fees and Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance (or Motor Accident Injuries Insurance (MAI) in the ACT), which is mandatory and covers your legal liability if people are injured or killed by your vehicle in an accident.

Whether these costs are bundled together or paid for separately, and how they’re calculated, depends on which state you live in.

Cost of registering a vehicle in NSW

In NSW, registration costs start with a flat fee, which is added to the vehicle tax depending on the type of vehicle you’re registering. If it’s a light vehicle (up to 4.5 tonnes), caravan or trailer, the vehicle tax will be calculated based on the vehicle’s weight, while a motorcycle has one flat rate.

You’ll need to pay for CTP Insurance, also known as a Green Slip, from a NSW CTP insurance provider (like AAMI). The cost varies depending on which one you go with.

Learn more about AAMI NSW CTP Insurance

You may also require:

• a safety check (previously called a pink slip). Generally most light vehicles more than five years old require a safety check before the registration can be renewed
• a vehicle inspection at an Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection Station (AUVIS) (previously called a blue slip), if your vehicle is not currently registered, or
• a Compliance Certificate from a licensed certifer, if your vehicle is modified or non-standard.

You can find out more on the Transport for NSW (TfNSW) registration costs page, or their page on NSW safety checks and inspections.

Cost of registering a vehicle in Queensland

The vehicle registration cost in Queensland is made up of three parts:

• The registration fee.
• The traffic improvement fee.
• A compulsory third party (CTP) insurance premium.

You can choose a registration period of 1, 3, 6, or 12 months, with a short-term registration surcharge applied to periods under 12 months. The CTP insurance premium is calculated based on the vehicle type (i.e. passenger car, motorcycle, or ute) while the registration cost is based on the number of cylinders in the vehicle.

There’s no requirement to obtain an annual safety certificate unless the vehicle is being sold or the registration has lapsed. You can choose your CTP insurer, however the cost is bundled with the registration and traffic improvement fees and is payable directly to the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

You can find the full list of registration costs on the Queensland Government website.

Cost of registering a vehicle in Victoria

In Victoria, you’ll be expected to pay for three things when registering your vehicle:

• A registration fee (which includes the cost of your CTP Insurance).
• Motor vehicle duty.
• A number plate fee.

Your registration fee varies depending on two factors; what kind of vehicle you’re registering, and where you live. Vehicle types are split into common vehicles (sedans, station wagons, 4WDs and hatchbacks), goods carrying vehicles (utes and dual cab utes), and light trailers and caravans. Your location is then split into metropolitan, outer metropolitan, and rural.

Learn more on the VicRoads vehicle fees page.

Cost of registering a vehicle in South Australia

In South Australia, you can choose your CTP insurer, but the cost is bundled with the registration and is payable directly to SA Government Services.The cost may vary depending on who you choose. Registration fees are also influenced by:

• the type of vehicle you have
• where the vehicle will be garaged
• what your vehicle will be used for, and
• how many cylinders your vehicle has.

Your registration fees will be displayed on your renewal notice or you can find them on the Service SA website. You’ll need either your payment reference number or registration plate number.

Learn more about AAMI SA CTP

Cost of registering a vehicle in the ACT

In the ACT, you can choose your MAI insurer, so the total cost of your vehicle registration will vary depending on the insurer you go with. Registration costs are combined together into one fee, to include:

• MAI Insurance
• vehicle registration
• a road safety contribution and rescue fee
• a lifetime care and support levy
• a short-term MAI Insurance policy loading, if applicable, and
• a motor accident levy.

Your total fee will vary depending on a number of factors to do with your vehicle (including vehicle type, tare weight and usage), how long you are registering it for, and who you choose as your MAI Insurer. If it’s the first time you’re registering your vehicle in the ACT, there may also be additional costs such as inspection fees. There’s a complete list of registration fees on the Access Canberra website.

Learn more about AAMI ACT MAI

Cost of registering a vehicle in Western Australia

When registering a vehicle in Western Australia for the first time (ie, a new or used car you’ve just bought), you’ll need to pay some initial costs. This includes the cost of an inspection from an Authorised Inspection Station, license duty fees, and transfer fees.

Apart from that, the Department of Transport in Western Australia calculates your registration fee based on the weight of your vehicle, plus a recording fee. Their rego process includes the cost of CTP Insurance.

A full list of Western Australia registration fees can be found on the Department of Transport website.

Cost of registering a vehicle in Tasmania

Vehicle registration in Tasmania is broken up into three costs:

• Registration establish fee or renewal fee, calculated based on how many cylinders your vehicle has.
• Motor tax, also calculated on how many cylinders your vehicle has.
• MAIB Premium Paid, which is essentially CTP cover, and varies according to the type of vehicle you have.

If it’s the first time you’re registering your vehicle, there’ll be additional costs such as inspection, transfer, and duty fees. For more info, you can check out the Tasmania Government Transport Services page on registration fees.

Cost of registering a vehicle in Northern Territory

Your registration costs in the Northern Territory are broken up into:

• a registration fee
• Motor Accidents Compensation (MAC), which is essentially CTP cover, and
• an administration fee.

The Northern Territory government combines these costs into one lump sum — all you have to do is know your vehicle’s engine size.

If it’s the first time registering your vehicle in the Northern Territory, you’ll also need to pay a number plate fee.

Read more:

• What happens to my insurance if I sell my car?
• Car insurance buying guide: What young drivers need to know
• How much should you spend on a car?

Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 AFSL 230859 (AAI) trading as AAMI. Any advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it. Please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before you make any decision regarding this product. The Target Market Determination is also available.