Moving to Australia and need to register a vehicle? Like in all countries, car registration is a standard legal requirement Down Under, linking a vehicle to its owner and helping with policing, road safety, and tax.
At Remitly, we aim to help ease the immigration process so you can focus on what’s important: enjoying the transition into your new home. So here’s our guide to help you register your vehicle in the region where you live, get to grips with interstate registration, and the costs involved.
Why do you need to register your car?
If you’ve bought or brought a car to get around in your new home, registering it will be one of the first things you have to do on arrival in Australia. The easiest way to think of car registration (also known as car “rego”) is like an identity document for your car. It shows who owns a vehicle and contains information on the owner, like their home address.
This helps to keep track of all the vehicles in a state, and indeed a whole country, and who they belong to. It also ensures that all cars on the road meet important safety requirements.
Because this is a formal certificate, your car registration needs to be renewed each year, so once you’ve registered your car, consider making a note on your calendar or setting a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget.
When the renewal date comes up, you’ll need to head down to your local transport authority to get it done. We’ll go over that in more detail shortly. Just keep in mind that you have to register your vehicle in the state you live in.
How to register a vehicle in Australia
You can register your vehicle in person at a state service or licensing centre, and some states allow you to register it online. What you’ll need varies depending on the state you’re settling into, but in general, this is what you’ll be required to provide at the service centre, or to upload online:
- A form of identification such as your passport or driver’s licence. Some states will ask for your visa grant letter if you’re not a citizen or permanent resident.
- Proof of your home address—this could be an electricity, water or gas bill or lease agreement.
- Proof of vehicle ownership. An invoice, receipt or previous registration disc will do.
- A CTP or Green Slip for NSW or evidence of insurance—more on this later.
- In some states, you need a Roadworthy Certificate. More on this later, too.
While the process is generally pretty standard, each state has its own vehicle registration page online:
- Australian Capital Territory (Canberra)
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
How long does it take to register a vehicle in Australia?
You can usually complete the registration on the same day, often in less than an hour at government agency pages like Service NSW, VicRoads or TMR QLD.
In some states, for example, New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, if it’s a straightforward ownership transfer—say, buying a used car locally—it can be done online in minutes. However, the transfer needs to be processed by the state authority, and this may take a few days to update fully.
Keep in mind that if your state requires a Roadworthy Certificate, you’ll need to book and handle that inspection first. Depending on how full the inspection facility is, it could take a few hours to a few days for them to attend to your vehicle. The actual inspection takes anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours.
Register a vehicle in Australia: the fees
The cost to register a vehicle in Australia varies by state. Some states charge according to how heavy your car is or its engine size, others on your vehicle’s carbon emissions, and others on the number of cylinders it has.
At time of writing, these registration fees are between $600 AUD and $1,500 AUD, and they’re payable annually.
Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance/Green Slips
In Australia, all vehicles by law must have Compulsory Third Party insurance. This is called a Green Slip in New South Wales. It protects you financially if you injure or kill someone in a motor vehicle accident. While it covers other people—drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists—it doesn’t cover you or your vehicle. It also doesn’t cover damage to cars or property.
You need to have CTP before you can register a car. In all states besides New South Wales, it’s included in your car registration fee automatically. This is good news in a country with a high cost of living. Unfortunately though, this doesn’t apply in NSW, where you have to buy it separately from an insurer of your choice.
Interstate registration steps in Australia
Since each Australian state and territory manages its own vehicle registration system, if you move or operate your vehicle across borders there are times when you’ll need to complete an interstate registration transfer.
You’ll have to do this if:
- You’re relocating to a different state.
- You’ve purchased a car from another state and want to register to use it in your home state.
- You use your vehicle primarily in another state—for work, for instance.
- You’re a business with vehicles crossing state borders frequently.
Here’s the interstate vehicle registration process that you’ll have to follow.
Roadworthy Certificates—what are they?
A Roadworthy Certificate (RWC) is an inspection report that shows a vehicle is safe to be on the road. It’s also called a pink slip, depending on your state. In many Australian states, like Victoria and Queensland, you need an RWC to register a car, especially when you’re transferring ownership or registering an unregistered car.
In order to obtain an RWC, you need to go to a licensed vehicle tester—either a mechanic or a dedicated roadworthy inspection centre—to do an inspection. Among other things, they’ll check that all these parts of your car meet safety regulations:
- Wheels and tyres
- Lights and reflectors
- Windscreen and windows
- Brakes
- Suspension
- Steering
New cars don’t usually need an RWC due to the grace period they’re allowed, since all the parts will be brand-new.
If you’re ever buying a car second hand, you should definitely do a registration check. It’s quick and free and will give you a bit of information on the car. It’ll also mean that the car is roadworthy. If a car isn’t registered, get it an RWC for peace of mind because, without one, you can’t get the car registered.
How to register trailers and caravans?
The process to register a trailer or caravan follows almost exactly the same format as to register your vehicle. Trailers and caravans are considered one and the same, so whichever you’re trying to register, follow the steps below.
Getting registered
If you’re in Victoria with a small trailer that doesn’t carry a boat, you don’t need to register it. But almost everywhere else, and for all larger trailers, you’ll need to bring some documentation to your local transport authority to get your trailer registered.
Like with cars, the process will differ slightly from state to state, but generally speaking;
- You need to find the aggregate trailer mass (ATM). This can be found in the manual for your trailer or caravan.
- Complete the registration form.
- Make sure the VIN is stamped on the trailer.
- Heavy trailers (4.5 tonnes or more) need to have their VIN recorded in the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV).
- Heavy trailers also need to get an RWC, exactly the same as we’ve talked about for cars.
- Be sure to have a screwdriver and some screws handy to attach your number plate.
- Lastly, you’ll need to pay the fee(s).
As a final reminder, the steps can vary slightly depending on the state or territory you’re in. Be sure to check the links to your area that we’ve put above.
We hope this helps you get on the road Down Under. You’ll find a whole bunch more guides and interesting reads on our blog.
FAQ
What do you need to do to register a car in Australia?
As mentioned, it varies depending on the state you’re in, but generally you’ll need proof of identity, proof of ownership, Compulsory Third Party insurance (known as a Green Slip in NSW) and in some states a Roadworthy Certificate.
You then fill out an application for the registration form and pay a registration fee. Depending on whether you did your registration in person or online, you could either receive your registration on the same day, or a couple of days after.
How much does car registration cost in Australia?
The cost of car registration in Australia depends on which state or territory you’re in. As a rough guide, registration can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,500+ AUD per year, including CTP insurance.
How can I check the registration status of a vehicle?
This is a free service that can be done online by visiting the official website of your state or territory’s transport authority. All you need is the vehicle’s registration number.
Can I drive an unregistered vehicle in Australia?
It’s illegal to drive an unregistered vehicle anywhere in Australia. However, if you need to move an unregistered vehicle for repairs or inspection, you may be able to get a permit.
What are the penalties for late renewal?
Everyone is given a 14-day grace period after “rego” expiry, at which point the car will become unregistered and illegal to drive. If you’re caught with an unregistered vehicle, you could be fined. There may also be additional late renewal charges for any vehicle registrations that have expired.
Are there any concessions or discounts available for car registration fees?
Concessions are available for pensioners and people living with disabilities. These do vary in different states and territories, so check with your local authority for more information.