The divide between Australia’s states and territories may have become apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, but these jurisdictions have long had different approaches to one particular area: vehicle registration.
Because budgets vary across states and territories, each government decides not only to charge different registration fees but also based on different criteria.
This can be based on anything from the vehicle’s weight and how much damage it causes to the road, to where it is registered and even the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from its exhaust.
With so many different approaches, it can be difficult to determine which one applies where – that’s where we come in.
Below, we’ve broken down the types of registration fees you’ll pay and – in most cases – how much they cost in each region.
Now, where can we start petitioning for a fixed road user fee?
New South Wales
In Australia’s most populous state, the cost of registering a passenger vehicle is based on weight.
This increases in different tiers, from vehicles weighing up to 975kg – which incur a personal use fee of $255 – to the highest that can be driven on a car licence, such as vehicles weighing between 4325kg and 4500kg, which incur a fee of $1397.
| tare weight | Annual subscription fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 975kg | $255 |
| 976kg to 1154kg | $295 |
| 1155kg to 1504kg | $359 |
| 1505kg to 2504kg | $546 |
| 2505kg to 2794kg | $788 |
| 2795kg to 3054kg | $895 |
| 3055kg to 3304kg | $980 |
| 3305kg to 3564kg | $1067 |
| 3565kg to 3814kg | $1145 |
| 3815kg to 4064kg | 1231 dollars |
| 4065kg to 4324kg | 1313 dollars |
| 4325kg to 4500kg | $1397 |
The annual subscription fee of $79 applies to all weight levels, while additional costs include mandatory third-party insurance.
In addition to the cost of purchasing a license plate, owners of personal license plates must also pay additional fees.
Victoria
Victoria takes a slightly different approach, splitting the registration fee based on three factors into two categories.
The biggest cost difference comes from where the vehicle is registered, with vehicles in urban areas identified as high risk paying higher prices.
Cars registered in suburban areas cost less, while cars registered in rural areas are even cheaper.
Sedans, wagons, hatchbacks and SUVs are all charged the same rate regardless of weight, however, cargo vehicles with a capacity of up to two tonnes such as pickup trucks are subject to a discount in non-urban areas.
| Vehicle location | Registration fees (cars and SUVs) | Annual registration fee (utes) |
|---|---|---|
| urban area | $906.60 | $907.70 |
| Outer metropolitan area | $848.40 | $769.10 |
| Countryside | $780.10 | $634.90 |
These fees include the cost of vehicle registration plates, motor vehicle tax and the Traffic Accident Commission (TAC) fee – essentially Medicare for those involved in accidents.
Queensland
In the Sunshine State, registration fees are not based on weight or where the vehicle is registered, but on the number of cylinders the vehicle has.
Until 16 September 2024, when the State Government applies a 20 per cent six-month subscription discount, the costs below apply for a 12-month subscription.
| Cylinder (or other type of drive) | Annual subscription fee |
|---|---|
| 1, 2 or 3 cylinders, either electric or steam | $716.05 |
| 4 cylinder | $793.10 |
| 5 or 6 cylinders | $1003.45 |
| 7 or 8 cylinders | $1232.10 |
| 9, 10, 11 or 12 cylinders | $1370.30 |
The above fees include registration fees, traffic improvement fees and compulsory third party insurance.
Western Australia
In the West, a charge of $27.56 applies per 100kg of weight of a passenger car, rounded to the nearest 100kg and five cents.
For example, if your car weighs 1475kg, it will be classified as a 1500kg vehicle, with a registration cost of $413.40.
An additional administration fee is $8.25 for three, six, and 12-month renewals, while monthly renewals cost just an additional $1.75.
There is also a fixed fee of $13.20, which is halved when renewed for 12 months.
South Australia
South Australia uses a similar combination of cylinder count, vehicle type and location to determine registration costs.
Like Victoria, this means people in rural areas pay less than those in urban areas.
| Transportation | Annual registration fee (urban) | Annual registration fee (national) |
|---|---|---|
| Electric passenger car or SUV | $670 | $545 |
| Passenger car or SUV with 4 cylinders | $670 | $545 |
| Passenger car or SUV with 6 cylinders | $815 | $690 |
| Passenger car or SUV with 6 cylinders | $945 | $820 |
| Truck or van (under 1500kg) | $910 | $700 |
| Small truck or van (1500kg to 4499kg) | $1125 | $915 |
The above fees include the compulsory third party (CTP) insurance estimate fee and the ‘level 1’ administrative fee.
Tasmania
On the Apple Isle, cylinders are again the basis for calculating registration costs, which are divided into vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of less than 3000kg and vehicles with a mass between 3000kg and 4500kg.
| Vehicle cylinders and GVM | Annual subscription fee (renewal) |
|---|---|
| Electricity | $587.18 |
| 3 or 4 cylinders, <3000kg | $611.18 |
| 5 or 6 cylinders, <3000kg | $652.18 |
| 7 or 8 cylinders, <3000kg | $728.18 |
| 9, 10, 11 or 12 cylinders, <3000kg | $762.18 |
| 3 or 4 cylinders, 3000kg < 4500kg | $762.18 |
| 5 or 6 cylinders, 3000kg < 4500kg | $813.18 |
| 7 or 8 cylinders, 3000kg < 4500kg | $867.18 |
| 9, 10, 11 or 12 cylinders, 3000kg < 4500kg | $919.18 |
The amount payable includes registration fee, fire tax, road safety tax, motor vehicle tax and motor vehicle accident insurance premium (MAIB).
Australian Capital Territory
As recently reportedFrom July 1, 2024, the nation’s capital has abolished weight-based registration fees in favor of an emissions system that imposes higher prices on more polluting vehicles.
The standard is divided into six emission categories, however there appear to be penalties for heavier vehicles.
With five vehicle types, six fuel types, six weight classes and six emission classes to choose from, it can be difficult to determine an exact registration price.
If you want to use the ACT registration calculator to check prices for your state or territory, you can click here. This.
Northern Territory
At the highest level, engine displacement and whether the engine has more or less than four cylinders will determine the fee.
Confused? Take a look at the two tables below.
Four or fewer cylinders
| Engine power | Annual subscription fee |
|---|---|
| 1cc to 500cc | $672.25 |
| 501cc to 1000cc | $723.25 |
| 1001cc to 1500cc | $786.25 |
| 1501cc to 3000cc | $841.25 |
Four or more cylinders
| Engine power | Annual subscription fee |
|---|---|
| 2001cc to 2500cc | $854.25 |
| 2501cc to 3000cc | $901.25 |
| 3001cc to 5500cc | $967.25 |
| 3501cc to 4000cc | $1016.25 |
| 4001cc to 4500cc | $1078.25 |
| 4501cc to 5000cc | $1129.25 |
| 5001cc to 5500cc | $1226.25 |
| 5501cc to 6000cc | $1281.25 |
| 6001cc to 7000cc | $1372.25 |
| 7001cc to 8000cc | $1400.25 |
All the above fees include management fees, motor accident compensation (MAC) insurance and compulsory third party insurance.
This means that if you own a Holden Commodore SS VF Series 1, the car’s 6.0-litre (5967cc) V8 engine will cost you $1,281.25 per year to register, but a Series 2 SS with a 6.2-litre (6162cc) engine will cost $1,372.25 over 12 months.
