When purchasing a new set of wheels, whether they be new or used, you will be required to pay stamp duty. The amount of stamp duty payable however can vary between state and territories.
What is stamp duty?
Stamp duty is a tax levied by state governments on the transfer of ownership of an asset. Typically stamp duty is most well-known as a tax on the purchase or sale of a house, but it also applies to the purchase of motor vehicles.
Vehicle stamp duty is a one-off payment, applying to both new and used cars purchased from a dealer or through private sale. Typically if purchasing from a dealership, the driveaway price is inclusive of stamp duty. If the vehicle is purchased privately, stamp duty is paid through the respective state or territory transport office.
How much is stamp duty?
The cost of stamp duty varies depending on a number of factors including:
- The price of the car.
- The type of the car.
- Amount of emissions produced.
- Region of registration.
Below you’ll find a breakdown of the stamp duty costs for each state and territory.
Queensland
In Queensland, stamp duty is calculated based on the value of the vehicle and its engine.
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Under $100,000
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Over $100,000
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Hybrid and electric vehicles
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$2 per $100 or part of $100
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$4 per $100 or part of $100
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1 to 4 cylinders, 2 rotors or a steam vehicle
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$3 per $100 or part of $100
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$5 per $100 or part of $100
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5 to 6 cylinders, 3 rotors
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$3.5 per $100 or part of $100
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$5.50 per $100 or part of $100
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7 or more cylinders
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$4 per $100 or part of $100
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$6 per $100 or part of $100
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To calculate how much stamp duty you would be required to pay in Queensland, the State Government has a stamp duty calculator available here.
New South Wales
In NSW, stamp duty is calculated on the market value of the vehicle or the purchase price - whichever is higher.
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Price paid:
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$44,999 or less
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$45,000 or more
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Duty payable:
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$3 for every $100 or part of $100
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$1350 plus $5 per $100 or part of $100
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To calculate how much stamp duty you would be required to pay in New South Wales, the State Government has a stamp duty calculator available here.
Victoria
In VIC, stamp duty is more complex than other states or territories. The rate is typically charged on either the market value of the car or the purchase price, whichever is greater. However, different stamp duty rates apply depending on:
- Whether the car you are buying is new or used
- Whether it emits a certain amount of CO2 (with vehicles emitting less than 120g/km classified as "green passenger cars")
- Whether it is registered to a primary producer, or
- Whether it is classified as a non passenger vehicle which covers single- and dual-cab utes, commercial vans, motorcycles, and vehicles designed to carry more than eight people.
| Type
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Value
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Rate
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Green passenger car
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N/A
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$8.40 per $200 or part thereof
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Primary producer passenger car
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N/A
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$8.40 per $200 or part thereof
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New utes, vans, motorcylces and minibuses
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N/A
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$5.40 per $200 or part thereof
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Used utes, vans, motorcycles and minibuses
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N/A
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$8.40 per $200 or part thereof
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All other new and used vehicles
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$0-$69,152
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$8.40 per $200 or part thereof
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$69,153 - $100,000
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$10.40 per $200 or part thereof
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$100,001 - $150,000
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$14.00 per $200 or part thereof
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Over $150,000
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$18.00 per $200 or part thereof
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To calculate how much stamp duty you would be required to pay in Victoria, the State Government has a stamp duty calculator available here.
South Australia
In SA, stamp duty is calculated on the purchase price or value of the vehicle and if the vehicle is classified commercial or non-commercial.
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Price paid:
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Up to $1000
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$1001 - $2000
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$2001 - $3000
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More than $3001
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Duty payable:
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1 per $100 or part of $100, with a minimum payment of $5
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$10 plus $2 per $100 or part of $100
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$30 plus $3 per $100 or part of $100
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$60 plus $4 per $100 or part of $100
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To calculate how much stamp duty you would be required to pay in South Australia, the State Government has a stamp duty calculator available here.
Western Australia
In WA, stamp duty is calculated on the purchase price and the weight of the vehicle.
Non-heavy vehicles (gross mass of 4.5 tonnes or less) require:
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Dutiable value
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Value rate
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Up to $25,000
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2.75% of dutiable value
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$25,000 - $50,000
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R% of the dutiable value, where R = [2.75 + ((dutiable value - 25,000)/ 6,666.66)] rounded to 2 decimal places
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Over $50,000
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6.5% of dutiable value
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Heavy vehicles (over 4.5 tonnes) require:
To calculate how much stamp duty you would be required to pay in Western Australia, the State Government has a stamp duty calculator available here.
Tasmania
In TAS, stamp duty is calculated on the vehicle’s market value.
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Price paid:
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Up to $600
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$600 - $34,999
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$35,000 - $39,999
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$40,000 and over
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Duty payable:
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$20 flat rate
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$3 per $100 or part of $100
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$1050 plus $11 per $100 or part of $100
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$4 per $100 or part of $100
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To calculate how much stamp duty you would be required to pay in Tasmania, the State Government has a stamp duty calculator available here.
Australian Capital Territory
In the ACT, stamp duty is calculated on the type of vehicle you have, the higher of the purchase price and the market value of the vehicle, and its green rating.
Vehicles are identified by four classes - A, B, C, and D.
Class A is for the most efficient vehicles, while Class D is for the opposite. Vehicles not rated by the Green Vehicle Guide are classified as Class C.
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Green vehicle Class:
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Class A
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Class B
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Class C
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Class D
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Price up to $45,000:
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No stamp duty payable.
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$1 for every $100 or part of $100 of the dutiable value.
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$3 for every $100 or part of $100 of the dutiable value.
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$4 for every $100 or part of $100 of the dutiable value.
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Price over $45,000:
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No stamp duty payable.
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$450 plus $2 for every $100 or part of $100 of the dutiable value.
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$1350 plus $5 for every $100 or part of $100 of the dutiable value.
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$1800 plus $6 for every $100 or part of $100 of the dutiable value.
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To calculate how much stamp duty you would be required to pay in the ACT, the Territory has a stamp duty calculator available here.
Northern Territory
In the NT, stamp stamp duty is calculated at a rate of 3% of the value of the vehicle plus a $19 transfer of ownership fee.
To calculate how much stamp duty you would be required to pay in the NT, the Territory has a stamp duty calculator available here.
Are there exemptions from stamp duty?
The exemptions from stamp duty also vary across the regions. In some cases, you will not require to pay for the vehicle stamp duty if:
- The vehicle is from a deceased estate.
- The vehicle has been registered in your name in another state where you have already paid the stamp duty.
- The vehicle is used for primary production or charities.
- The vehicle make is electric or hybrid.
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