Car Registration Cost Calculator — Australia 2026-27
Budget for your annual registration costs.
Estimate annual car registration costs including the registration fee and CTP/TAC levy for all Australian states and territories. Compare costs across states, apply concession discounts, and see the rego vs CTP breakdown. Indicative estimates — verify at your state roads authority.
⚠️ Indicative estimates only — exact fees must be confirmed at your state roads authority. CTP varies by insurer, postcode, and driver age in NSW and QLD.
Select the question that matches where you are right now.
Your estimate shows the two main components of annual registration: the registration fee (paid to the state roads authority) and the CTP/TAC component (compulsory personal injury insurance). These are estimates — use them for budgeting, then confirm exact amounts at your state authority.
In most states, CTP (or its equivalent TAC levy) makes up 50–70% of total registration cost. It covers unlimited personal injury claims — an injured person's medical costs, rehabilitation, and income replacement can run into millions. The levy pools risk across all registered vehicles to keep individual costs manageable.
Switch to Standard mode to see the all-states comparison chart. This shows how your current state ranks against all other states for the same engine size and region. If you are considering moving interstate, this gives a quick cost comparison — though note that CTP and registration structures differ significantly between states and the comparison is approximate.
Exact registration fees are calculated by your state roads authority system based on your specific vehicle (make, model, year, tare weight, engine specs) and your specific circumstances. This calculator is for budgeting guidance only. Use your state authority's official online calculator for the exact figure before your renewal date.
CTP is the most complex and variable part of registration — and in NSW, it is also the part you can actually shop around on.
NSW is the only state where you can meaningfully shop around on CTP (the Green Slip). Six approved insurers compete for your business: AAMI, Allianz, GIO, NRMA, QBE, and Suncorp. Prices can vary by $150–$400+ for the same driver and vehicle. Use greenslipcalculator.com.au (the official comparison site run by SIRA) to get all six quotes and choose the cheapest. Do this before your renewal date, not at the last minute.
In Victoria, the TAC (Transport Accident Commission) levy is set by the government and bundled into registration — there is no choice of insurer. Metro registration is more expensive than country because of higher accident rates and claim costs in urban areas. The TAC provides no-fault benefits to all injured parties in transport accidents, regardless of who was at fault — funded by the levy.
Driving an unregistered vehicle means you have no CTP insurance. If you cause an accident and injure another person, you are personally liable for all their medical costs, rehabilitation, and income replacement — which can be millions of dollars. The state will typically cover injured parties through an uninsured scheme and then pursue you for recovery. Criminal penalties also apply. Never drive an unregistered vehicle — if cost is the issue, talk to your state roads authority about payment plans or check concession eligibility.
Concession discounts can halve your registration cost — but you must apply for them and they may not apply automatically on renewal.
Pensioner Concession Card (Services Australia), DVA Gold Card, and in most states Health Care Card holders qualify for ~50% off registration. The concession typically applies to one vehicle only. In NSW, the concession applies to the registration fee but not the full Green Slip — though some Green Slip insurers offer concession pricing. Check your state authority's concession page for specific eligible cards and the discount percentage.
Vehicles modified for disability use or driven by mobility parking permit holders may qualify for additional concessions or full exemptions from the registration fee component. NSW has a specific Disability Registration Concession. VIC offers concessions for carers of eligible persons with disabilities. Always apply before renewing rather than after — concessions may not be backdated.
As EVs avoid paying fuel excise tax, most states are introducing per-kilometre road user charges (RUC) for EVs. VIC was first (3.68c/km). NSW, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, ACT, and NT now have or are introducing similar charges. A typical EV driver doing 15,000km/yr pays approximately $550/yr in road user charges — partially or fully offsetting any EV registration fee concessions. Factor this in when comparing EV total running costs.
Moving interstate involves re-registering your vehicle — and potentially a significant change in annual costs.
When you move to a new state, you typically have 3 months to re-register the vehicle in the new state. The process involves: surrendering the old state registration (you may receive a partial refund for unexpired registration in some states), obtaining a roadworthy/safety inspection certificate in most states, and registering and paying the new state's full registration cost. Budget for the full annual registration cost of the new state from day one.
The all-states comparison chart (Standard mode) shows estimated costs for your vehicle class across all 8 states. WA and NT tend to be the least expensive. NSW tends to be the most expensive for city-based drivers due to high Green Slip rates — though rural NSW can be significantly cheaper. Note that lifestyle and income considerations typically outweigh the $200–$400/yr registration cost difference when choosing where to live.
Importing a vehicle from another state to NSW requires a pink slip (safety inspection) before registration if the vehicle is more than 5 years old. The inspection costs approximately $40–$60 and must be completed by an authorised inspection station. You do not need to re-pay stamp duty on a vehicle you already own when moving states — only on purchase of a vehicle. Confirm the current rules at ServiceNSW.nsw.gov.au for NSW, or the equivalent authority in your destination state.
Registration fee, CTP/TAC levy, and other charges — what you actually pay
Two main components in every state
Annual vehicle registration in Australia consists of two main components: (1) the registration fee (or vehicle licence fee) charged by the state roads authority; and (2) a compulsory third party (CTP) insurance premium, which covers personal injury to others. These are charged differently depending on the state.
| State | CTP structure | Registration basis |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Green Slip — purchased separately from approved insurers | Cylinder-based fee classes |
| VIC | TAC levy — bundled into registration | Flat registration fee |
| QLD | CTP — purchased from 4 approved providers at registration | Cylinder-based fee classes |
| WA | Third Party Personal Injury — bundled | Weight-based plus flat components |
| SA | MAC levy — bundled into registration | Mass-based schedule |
| TAS | Motor accident levy — bundled | Flat vehicle licence fee |
| ACT | MACA levy — bundled | Value-based plus flat fee |
| NT | Motor accident compensation — bundled | Flat vehicle licence fee |
Additional charges that may apply
- Stamp duty: Applies on purchase of the vehicle, not annually
- Transfer fee: When vehicle changes hands
- Number plate fee: For new or personalised plates
- Inspection fee: Required in some states for older vehicles
Why this calculator shows estimates
Exact registration fees require knowing your specific vehicle's engine size, weight, year, and usage class — plus your postcode, age (for CTP in NSW/QLD), and insurer (in NSW where the Green Slip is purchased competitively). This calculator uses representative fee schedules; always confirm at your state roads authority website before budgeting.
Annual rego for a typical car, every state and territory
The figures below are for a standard 4-cylinder private passenger car on a 12-month renewal (metropolitan zone where the state charges by zone). They exclude stamp duty, plate fees and transfer fees. Each figure was verified against the state authority listed in the row — last checked 17 July 2026.
| State | What you pay (typical 4-cyl car) | 2026-27 notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | $82 base fee + weight-based motor vehicle tax (≈$462 all up for a Corolla-class car) + CTP Green Slip bought separately (2025 average ≈$638) — typically $1,000–$1,150 total | One-off $100 discount on every private light-vehicle renewal from 1 Sep 2026 to 31 Aug 2027 | NSW Gov / SIRA |
| VIC | Up to $930.70 metropolitan full fee including the TAC charge (outer metro and rural zones pay less) | One-off 20% rebate (up to $186 per vehicle, max two) was claimable 1 Jun – 31 Jul 2026; TAC charge CPI-indexed 1 Jul 2026 | VicRoads / TAC |
| QLD | $372.85 registration + $65.05 traffic improvement fee + CTP $390.80–$405.80 — ≈$829–$844 total | Fees indexed 3.4% on 1 Jul 2026 (Government Indexation Rate) | QLD Gov (TMR) |
| WA | $29.76 per 100kg tare (≈$417 for a 1.4-tonne car) + $9.70 recording fee + $6.60 flat fee, plus motor injury insurance set by vehicle class | 2026/27 licence fee rates; MII premium schedule published by ICWA | DoT WA / ICWA |
| SA | ≈$668 all-in for a 4-cylinder car (12 months, includes the MAC injury component) | From 1 Jul 2026 | SA Gov / EzyReg |
| TAS | ≈$630–$660 all-in — motor tax and the compulsory MAIB premium come as one consolidated payment | Typical 2026-27 light-vehicle renewal | Transport Tasmania |
| ACT | Emissions-based: from $382 (zero-emissions category) to $561+ for a typical petrol car, plus motor accident and road-safety levies | 2025-26 published examples — categories are indexed each year; check the ACT determination for 2026-27 | Access Canberra |
| NT | $219 registration (1501–3000cc) + $607.25 MAC compulsory insurance — ≈$826 total | Fees frozen to 30 Jun 2026 — confirm 2026-27 rates with the MVR | NT Gov (MVR) |
Two cost-of-living measures worth knowing this year: NSW is knocking a one-off $100 off every private light-vehicle renewal between 1 September 2026 and 31 August 2027, and Victoria ran a one-off 20% rego rebate (up to $186 per vehicle) for claims lodged between 1 June and 31 July 2026. Neither is applied automatically in every case — check your renewal notice.
Detailed registration information for all Australian states and territories
NSW — New South Wales
NSW uses a cylinder-based registration fee schedule. You also pay a statutory third party (STP) levy and motor vehicle tax. The Green Slip (CTP insurance) is purchased separately from approved insurers — AAMI, Allianz, GIO, NRMA, QBE, or Suncorp. NSW Green Slip prices vary significantly by insurer, postcode, and driver age. Use greenslipcalculator.com.au to compare actual quotes. Total annual cost for a standard 4-cylinder car in metro Sydney: approximately $900–$1,200.
Victoria
VIC bundles the TAC (Transport Accident Commission) levy into the registration fee — no separate CTP purchase needed. The TAC levy is the CTP component. Metro registration is significantly more expensive than country registration due to higher TAC levies. VicRoads provides an exact calculator at vicroads.vic.gov.au. Total annual for a standard car: approximately $800–$1,100 metro, $650–$900 country.
Queensland
QLD uses a cylinder-based registration schedule. CTP is purchased from one of four approved providers (Allianz, QBE, RACQ, Suncorp) at the time of registration. QLD CTP rates are set by the Queensland Treasurer and vary by vehicle class and area (Brisbane city, south-east QLD, regional). Use the official calculator at qld.gov.au/transport.
Western Australia
WA uses a weight and engine capacity-based fee schedule administered by the Department of Transport. CTP (third party personal injury) insurance is provided by ICWA (Insurance Commission of Western Australia) and is bundled into the registration fee. Generally among the lowest-cost states for total registration.
South Australia, Tasmania, ACT, NT
These states and territories all bundle CTP into the registration fee. SA uses a mass-based schedule (calculated on tare weight). TAS and NT use flatter fee structures. ACT fees are calculated partly on the vehicle's market value. All have concession discounts available for eligible health care card and pensioner concession card holders.
Pensioner discounts, disability concessions, EV concessions, and exemptions
Pensioner and health care card concessions
| State | Concession | Eligible cards |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | ~50% off registration fee (not CTP) | Pensioner Concession Card, DVA |
| VIC | ~50% off full registration amount | Pensioner Concession Card |
| QLD | ~50% off registration fee + CTP discount | Pensioner Concession Card, DVA |
| WA | ~50% off registration | Pensioner Concession Card |
| SA | ~50% concession | Pensioner Concession Card |
| TAS, ACT, NT | Significant concessions available | Pensioner Concession Card |
Disability and mobility concessions
Vehicles driven by or for people with disabilities may qualify for additional concessions or full exemptions. NSW Mobility Parking Scheme holders may be exempt from the registration fee component. VIC disabled parking permit holders may receive additional discounts. Check at your state roads authority for current eligibility.
Electric vehicle (EV) concessions
Several states have introduced EV registration concessions: Victoria (zero registration fee for eligible EVs, though a road user charge now applies); NSW (no additional rego exemptions, but the Green Slip CTP is typically lower for EVs due to safety profile); QLD (reduced registration fees for low-emission vehicles). Note that as of 2023-24, most states have introduced or are introducing EV road user charges (per-km levies) to offset fuel excise revenue loss.
Farm vehicles and primary production
Vehicles primarily used for primary production (farming, grazing) may be eligible for concessional registration under farm vehicle schemes in all states. These often provide significantly reduced fees and CTP costs. Strict conditions apply regarding off-road use and vehicle type.
What CTP does and does not cover, and how to reduce your Green Slip cost in NSW
What CTP insurance covers
- Personal injury to pedestrians, cyclists, passengers and other drivers you injure in an accident
- Medical treatment, rehabilitation, and income replacement for injured parties
- Death benefits for families of those killed
What CTP does NOT cover
- Damage to your own vehicle
- Damage to other vehicles or property
- Your own medical expenses if you are at fault
- Theft or fire damage
You need comprehensive or third party property insurance to cover property damage. CTP is the legal minimum — it only covers personal injury.
Reducing your NSW Green Slip cost
In NSW, the Green Slip is purchased competitively. Prices can vary by $150–$400+ between insurers for the same vehicle and driver profile. The official comparison site greenslipcalculator.com.au shows all approved insurer quotes. Always compare before renewing. Young drivers (under 25) and those with recent claims pay significantly more — there is little flexibility on individual pricing, but comparison can still identify the cheapest approved insurer.
CTP and at-fault accidents
NSW introduced fault-based CTP changes in 2017. At-fault drivers receive more limited benefits than not-at-fault parties. Not-at-fault parties receive full benefits (treatment, income replacement, common law damages). At-fault drivers receive statutory benefits (treatment and income replacement) only for the first 26 weeks if seriously injured, with further access if over 10% whole person impairment.
❓ Frequently asked Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register a car in Australia?
Annual car registration costs vary significantly by state and vehicle type. For a standard 4-cylinder passenger car: NSW approximately $900–$1,200 (including Green Slip); VIC approximately $800–$1,100; QLD approximately $750–$1,100; WA approximately $600–$900. These figures include the CTP/TAC component. Exact costs depend on engine size, postcode, driver age (for CTP in NSW and QLD), and whether concessions apply. Always verify at your state roads authority website for exact figures.
What is a Green Slip and is it compulsory?
A Green Slip is NSW's compulsory third party (CTP) insurance — named for the colour of the paper receipt. It is legally required to register a vehicle in NSW and covers personal injury to others involved in an accident. In NSW, you choose your own approved Green Slip insurer (AAMI, Allianz, GIO, NRMA, QBE, or Suncorp) and can compare prices at greenslipcalculator.com.au. Other states bundle their equivalent CTP into the registration fee itself rather than allowing competitive purchase.
Can I register my car for 6 months instead of 12?
Most Australian states offer shorter registration periods. NSW allows annual, 6-month, and 3-month registration — useful if you know you will sell the vehicle soon or use it seasonally. VIC, QLD, and WA also offer 3 or 6 month options at proportional cost. Short-term registration typically costs the same as the equivalent fraction of annual registration — there is generally no premium for shorter terms, but also no significant discount. The vehicle must have a current roadworthy certificate (safety check) in most states before registration renewal.
Does registration cost change when I move states?
Yes — when you move to a new state, you must re-register your vehicle in the new state within a set period (typically 3 months). The new state's full registration cost applies — you will not receive a refund for unused registration from your previous state (though NSW provides refunds for unexpired Green Slip and registration periods). The re-registration process requires the vehicle to pass a roadworthy inspection in most states. Budget for the full cost of new-state registration when planning an interstate move.
Frequently asked questions
How much is car rego in 2026-27?
For a typical 4-cylinder passenger car, expect roughly $660–$1,150 a year depending on your state: around $668 in SA, $630–$660 in Tasmania, $829–$844 in Queensland, about $826 in the NT, and $1,000 or more in NSW and metropolitan Victoria once CTP is included. See the state-by-state table on this page for the verified breakdown and sources.
Which state has the cheapest car rego?
On typical 2026-27 figures, Tasmania and South Australia are cheapest for a standard passenger car (roughly $630–$670 all-in), while metropolitan Victoria and NSW are the most expensive (over $900 once the CTP or TAC component is included). The ACT can be cheap or expensive depending on your vehicle's emissions category.
Why did my rego go up in 2026?
Most states index registration fees and CTP levies to inflation on 1 July each year — Queensland applied a 3.4% Government Indexation Rate for 2026-27 and Victoria's TAC charge rose with CPI. Offsetting that, NSW is applying a one-off $100 discount to private light-vehicle renewals between 1 September 2026 and 31 August 2027, and Victoria offered a one-off 20% rebate (up to $186) for claims lodged between 1 June and 31 July 2026.
Is the Car Registration Cost Calculator — Australia 2026-27 free to use?
Yes, completely free. No sign-up, no email, and no data leaves your browser. All calculations run locally in your device.
Are the rates up to date?
This calculator uses 2026-27 ATO rates where applicable, updated annually when new rates are published.
Where these figures come from
Registration and CTP figures on this page come from the state and territory transport authorities and injury-insurance regulators — the sources of record for rego costs. Last verified 17 July 2026.
- NSW registration fees & vehicle tax — NSW Government; Green Slip prices — SIRA Green Slip Price Check.
- Victorian registration fees — VicRoads; TAC charge — Transport Accident Commission.
- Queensland registration costs & CTP — Queensland Government (TMR).
- WA vehicle licence fees — Department of Transport WA; Motor Injury Insurance — Insurance Commission of WA.
- SA registration fees — SA Government / EzyReg.
- Tasmanian registration fees — Transport Services Tasmania.
- ACT emissions-based registration — Access Canberra.
- NT registration fees — Northern Territory Government (MVR).
Last checked: July 2026. Rates and thresholds are reviewed against the source of record each November, when annual adjustments for the following tax year are published.