Vehicle Registration in Australia – Rego Guide

In Australia, all vehicles are registered in a state or territory (Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, etc.). The registration of a vehicle is called “Registration” or “Rego.” However, the complexity of this subject lies in the legislation that varies from one state to another. With this, it can be difficult to navigate. Check out our complete guide below, with all the information you might need on the ‘Rego’ to help you through the process of buying or selling a vehicle in Australia.

The Rego – What is it?

Rego explained

Vehicle registration, commonly known as ‘Rego’, is a mandatory legal requirement in Australia for all vehicles on public roads. It serves as proof that your vehicle has passed all necessary inspections and is safe to drive. Rego also ensures that your vehicle is covered by compulsory third-party insurance, providing protection in case of accidents.

Thus, the rego is a document that identifies your vehicle. It is mandatory to have a current rego to drive in Australia. The rego must also be in the name of the vehicle owner, so it is necessary to transfer the rego to your name at the time of purchase.

In general it is best to buy a vehicle with a current Rego. However, sometimes a vehicle is available without Rego or with a Rego about to expire and you will have to pay the Rego at time of purchase. The owner can choose the duration of the Rego (1, 3, 6 or 12 months depending on the state).

And about the CTP?

Compulsory insurance (CTP) is included with the Rego, except in New South Wales (NSW) where it is necessary to buy it separately from an insurance company when you renew the Rego. This insurance covers all bodily injury inflicted on a third person in the event of an accident. The CTP does not cover material damage so you should buy additional insurance.

Also note that the CTP of the states of VIC, TAS, ACT and NT also cover drivers at fault. And for an accident in the NT all passengers and drivers of vehicles from any state are covered by the NT CTP.

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Car Registration – How does it work?

The rules concerning the Rego differ from one state to another. It is therefore important to learn about the legislation of the state where you want to buy a vehicle in Australia.

The Roadworthy or safety certificates

Some states require a mandatory technical checkup when renewing the Rego (NSW, NT) or when purchasing/selling (ACT, QLD, VIC). You must therefore be in the state at the time of the change of ownership to carry out the technical checkup. If ever you are not in the NT or NSW at the time of renewal, consult the steps to follow in the section “Buying a vehicle outside its state of registration” of this article or contact the transport center of your state for instructions.

The documents required

During any purchase, the vehicle seller must provide you with a receipt for the purchase. This receipt should contain the following information: the brand, model, color, and year the vehicle was first put into service. It should also include the license plate number and the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), as well as the details of the sale: the date of the transaction, the price of the vehicle, the names of the seller and buyer, and their addresses. This receipt must be signed by both parties (buyer and seller). For added security, consider making two copies of the receipt (one for the buyer and one for the seller) and taking a photo immediately after signing. This could prove wise in case of loss of the document.

Note: To transfer the registration (rego) to your name, you must present yourself IN PERSON at the transport offices of the state/territory of registration to present your documents. The state of WA is the only state that accepts document submissions by mail and is an exception to this rule! Therefore, the transfer will be easier if you choose a vehicle from the state where you are located or a vehicle registered in WA.

See below in this article for the rego rules specific to each state.

Key Steps in Buying/Selling a Vehicle

• Buying a Vehicle: When buying a vehicle, ensure the seller provides a roadworthy certificate. After purchase, transfer the registration to your name, which involves submitting transfer papers and paying a transfer fee.
• Selling a Vehicle: When selling, you must notify the state authority of the sale and provide the buyer with a roadworthiness certificate. The buyer is responsible for transferring the Rego.

Buying or selling a vehicle in its registered state: State by state information

The process is simpler is you sell or buy a car within the state where it is already registered.

The buyer and seller both complete the transfer form.
The seller will have to send their part (‘sellers copy’ or ‘notice of disposal’) to the transportation department.
The buyer must present their papers IN PERSON at an office of the transportation department in in the state of registration (except for WA).

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Here is the procedure to follow if you are in Canberra or another ACT city:

1. If the car is older than 6 years a technical inspection is required, the ‘Certificate of Inspection’. This can be done by the seller before the sale or by the buyer (maximum 14 days after purchase);

2. The seller and buyer complete the transfer form and the ‘Notice of Disposal’ together. These forms can be found on the back of the Registration Certificate or on the Access Camberra-Website.

3. The seller provides a receipt that shows: the names, addresses and signatures of the buyer and seller, the make, model, colour and year of the car. The plate number and the VIN (vehicle identification number). The date and price of the sale.

4. The seller sends the ‘Notice of Disposal’ to: Access Canberra – Road Transport Authority, PO Box 582, Dickson ACT 2602.

5. The buyer must provide in person: the “Registration Certificate” signed by the seller or the receipt of the purchase, the “Certificate of Inspection”, three proofs of identity including his passport, as well as a notification of the address in the ACT where the car will be parked.

5. The buyer pays the tax and the transfer fee.

New South Wales (NSW)

The procedure to follow in NSW:

1. The seller and the buyer together fill out the ‘Application of Transfer’ and ‘Notice of Disposal’ forms. (These can be found on the back of the Registration Certificate).

2. The seller delivers the Notice of Disposal to the NSW Service by postal mail or in person;

3. The seller provides a receipt showing important informations: name, address, buyer’s and seller’s signatures, date of sale, price, plate number, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the Registration certificate or other proof that he is the owner;

4. The buyer delivers in person to the NSW Service office: The transfer form, the receipt, two documents proving identity, an official proof of address in NSW. You can go to your bank to request a ‘Letter of Introduction’;

5. The buyer pays the tax and transfer fee.

Northern Territory (NT)

In this territory, the procedure is:

1. The seller and buyer complete the transfer form together;

2. The seller sends the ‘Notice of Disposal’ section to the MVR (Motor Vehicle Registry) by email or mail: mvr@nt.gov.au – Department of Transport GPO Box 530 Darwin NT 0801;

3. The seller must provide and sign the ‘Registration Certificate’ or a receipt for his original purchase. The seller must provide a receipt that shows: names and adresses of the seller and buyer, the make, model, colour, the year of the car and the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). The date of the sale and the price;

4. The buyer delivers in-person to an MVR office: The form, the receipt, three documents providing proof of identity as well as proof of an address in the NT (a copy of a bank statement that shows the address in the NT should be enough (dated at least 4 months prior the purchase so get this document straight when you arrive));

5. The buyer pays the tax and transfer fee.

Queensland (QLD)

In this state, the steps are as follows:

1. The seller must pass a technical inspection (Roadworthy) to obtain the Safety Certificate. This is valid for two months or 2000 kilometres. It is therefore necessary to be in QLD to perform this check;

2. The seller and buyer complete the “Vehicle Transfer Application Form” together;

3. The seller delivers in person a part of the form (part B ‘Sellers Copy’) to the QLD Transport. This must include a receipt that shows the names, addresses and signatures of the buyer and seller, date of sale, price, plate number and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number); The Buyer keeps Part A of the form.

4. The buyer completes the form: “New Customer Application“. (The CRN – Customer Reference Number – will be issued when you submit the forms);

5. The buyer delivers the following in person to the QLD Transport office: The two forms, the safety certificate, the receipt for the purchase, three forms of proof of identity including a passport (tick Traveller with no permanent address in QLD on the form so you won’t have to prove residency in QLD);

6. The buyer pays the tax and the transfer fee.

South Australia (SA)

1. The seller and buyer together complete the transfer form. This form is on the back of the registration certificate.
Note: If the seller has lost the registration certificate he can order another certificate online (for $20) but first he must create an account here: https://www.sa.gov.au. Another option is to submit the MR 15 form “Application for Replacement Registration Certificate“, in person at a Service SA office. It is the seller responsibility.

2. The seller sends the SA Transport office the part of the form called ‘Notice of Disposal’. He must provide a receipt for the purchase, which shows: names, addresses, signatures of the buyer and seller, make, model, colour and year of the vehicle, date of sale, price, plate number, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

3. The buyer delivers the following in-person to the SA Transport office: The transfer form, three proofs of identity including a passport with the number of your visa, proof of address in SA (in the form of an official letter of the bank which also server as proof of identity) and the receipt for the purchase;

4. The buyer pays the tax and transfer fee.

Note: A non-registered car that was previously registered in SA does not need a Vehicle Identity Inspection.

Tasmania (TAS)

For this state, the formalities are as follows:

1. The seller and buyer together complete the transfer form. The form is on the back of the Registration Certificate and on the Transport Tasmania website.

2. The seller provides a receipt for purchase, which shows: names, addresses, signatures of buyer and seller, make, model, colour and year of vehicle, date of sale, price, plate number, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

3. The seller sends the part ‘Notice of Disposal’ to: Tasmania Service by email tes@stategrowth.tas.gov.au, together with a copy of the transfer form or by post to Tasmania Service – The Registrar, Motor Vehicles, GPO BOX 1002 Hobart Tasmania 7001. The seller provides a receipt which shows: The name, address signatures of buyer and seller, date of sale, price, license plate number, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN);

4. The buyer delivers the following in person to the Tasmania Service Office: The transfer form, the receipt for the purchase, three proof of identity and proof of address in Tasmania (e.g. bank statement copy);

5. The buyer pays the tax and the transfer fee.

Victoria (VIC)

If you are in the state of Victoria at the time of purchase, you must:

1. The seller must pass a roadworthy test to obtain the VIC Roadworthy Certificate (RWC). This certificate is valid for one month;

2. The seller and the buyer complete the form together; ‘Application for Transfer of Registration’.

3. The seller provides a receipt for purchase, which shows: names, addresses, signatures of buyer and seller, make, model, color and year of vehicle, date of sale, price, plate number, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

4. The buyer presents in the following in person at the VicRoads office: the form, the RWC, the receipt for purchase and two proofs of identity including a passport and proof of residence in Victoria (for instance a bank statement);

Note: The buyer could also hand over their ID and bank statement in person before their purchase to obtain a Vicroads Customer Number. With the Customer Number the transfer is possible online as long as the seller has already submitted the Roadworthy Certificate online.

5. For the seller it is not mandatory to inform VicRoads of the sale. It is the sole responsibility of the buyer. So it may be a good idea to send a letter to Vic roads with all the details of the receipt in case the buyer does not do this.

6. The buyer pays the tax and the transfer fee.

Western Australia (WA)

You will find many backpacker vehicles registered in WA. The main reason is that WA is the only state where paperwork does not have to be handed over in person so buying and selling is quite easy anywhere in Australia.

1. The seller and buyer complete the Transfer form together. The buyer must also complete the form ‘Proof of Identity’
Note: the buyer must enter a home address in WA. The seller must send the green part of the form (seller’s copy) to the WA Department of Transport. Buyer must fill the red section;

2. The seller must provide a receipt for purchase, which shows: names, addresses, signatures of buyer and seller, make, model, colour and year of vehicle, date of sale, price, plate number, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

3. The buyer delivers the following to the DOT WA office in person: the 2 forms and two proofs of identity (passport and credit card). In addition, he must provide a home / garaging address in WA and a proof of address in WA (a copy of a bank statement with an address in WA);

4. The buyer pays tax and a transfer fee

Note: If you want to buy a vehicle from WA from another state see the ‘special case’ part in the next section.

Buying a vehicle from outside its registration state

If you buy a vehicle outside its state of registration, you have 14 days to go to the state of registration to make the transfer, otherwise you will have to change the plate.

To change the plate: insist that the seller pass a technical control to obtain the RWC of this state (or Vehicle ID Check in SA) (it is compulsory in the VIC and in the QLD). Otherwise you will have to do it after your purchase. The seller must also provide you with a formal receipt.

The RWC (Roadworthy Certificate) serves to demonstrate that your vehicle is safe enough to be used on public roads. This “status report” is necessary every time a vehicle is sold, if it is being re-registered, and to clear certain defect notices.

Note that for vehicles from Victoria and Queensland, changing the plate is mandatory at the time of purchase and it is not possible to cross the border to keep the same plate. In this case, the seller must remove the plates from QLD or VIC at the time of the sale and you can take the plates from the new state of registration.

Some general rules varying by state

• In the ACT if the car is less than 10 years old, a Vehicle ID Check is also mandatory.
• In NSW you must buy the compulsory insurance (CTP – Green Slip) from an approved insurance company before the transfer of ownership.
• In VIC, you have to make an appointment in advance at Vicroads to make the transfer.
• The Vehicle ID Check in SA is done at the inspection station at Regency Park Aéelaïde or at Mt Gambier. If you have an address more than 40km from an inspection station, the Vehicle ID Check is done at a police station.

You must insist that the seller provide proof of ownership (normally the Registration Certificate) as well as a formal receipt that shows: vehicle make, model, color and year, plate number, VIN (vehicle identification number) , the date, price as well as the names, addresses and signatures of the seller and the buyer.

Then you will have to go to the transport department to submit the registration form, (in the QLD – New Customer Application), your proof of identity (passport and bank statement linked to an address in this state/territory). The Transportation Department will give you a receipt for the plates.

💡 A specific case: Western Australia

WA is an exception. This is the only state that accepts transfer papers via mail, so it is possible to buy a vehicle from WA anywhere in Australia without changing the plate and without a RWC.

Transfer forms must be completed with the seller. On the form you must put a residential and garage address in WA. You must also tick ‘YES’ to the question: Will this vehicle be kept primarily in WA?
You send the Purchaser’s Copy of the form to DOT WA within 14 days with the “Proof of Identity” form as well as the certified copies of your passport and your bank card.
About 2 weeks later the invoice for the transfer will arrive on the DOT WA site. They also send it to the mailing address you put on the form. You can pay that bill online.
If you want to change the plate, the seller must remove the plates and hand them over to the transportation department at the time of sale. An RWC will also be mandatory. (Vehicle ID Check in SA).

Example scenario: buying a vehicle in QLD that is registered in NSW

In this case, follow the procedures listed under “Buying or selling a vehicle outside its state of registration.” A quick reminder: if you wish to purchase a vehicle outside its state/territory of registration, you have 14 days to go to the state where the vehicle is registered to complete the transfer. If you do not do this (for various reasons: you do not want to travel, the state of registration is too far away, etc.), you will then need to change your plates!

Additionally, in Queensland, there is a mandatory step: the seller must have the vehicle undergo a technical inspection to obtain the RWC (Roadworthy Certificate). This RWC will serve as proof that the vehicle is safe and in working order for road use! Be careful because if the seller does not do this, you will be obligated to do it after the purchase and will therefore have to pay!

Receipt of the sale / purchase

The seller is also obligated to provide you with a formal receipt containing the following information:

• Brand and model of the vehicle,
• Color of the vehicle,
• Year the vehicle was first registered,
• License plate number,
• VIN (Vehicle Identification Number),
• Sale details: date of sale, price of the vehicle, names of the seller and buyer, various postal addresses.

This receipt must be signed by both parties. Additionally, insist that the seller provides you with proof of ownership called a “Registration Certificate.”

Finalise the purchase

Finally, you will need to go to the Department of Transport to submit the registration form and obtain new plates. You will then provide your proof of identity (passport). A receipt will be issued to you at that time.

Note: You may choose to change the registration before the sale; it will be easier for you to find a buyer afterwards. You will then have to pay for the new registration yourself! You can subsequently get a refund for the remaining days of your registration, which is quite beneficial in this case since the vehicle is registered in NSW, and you will receive the refund! Furthermore, if the vehicle is not registered, you will not need to have the vehicle inspected, but if you plan to move it, you will need an “Unregistered Vehicle Permit” to be compliant.

Buying a car without a Rego

Two problems can arise when purchasing a car without Rego:

It is illegal to move the vehicle

Unless the buyer buys an Unregistered Vehicle Permit (or in the QLD simply the compulsory insurance) and moves it straight to a garage. Without a valid Rego the vehicle is not insured for damages caused to third parties. If you get into a accident the financial and legal consequences could be enormous. Another option is to hire a mobile mechanic who will come to the owner’s home and do the technical checkup on the spot.
Be careful if your vehicle needs to travel from one state to another, you will need to apply for two “Unregistered Vehicle Permits”. Thus, you will need to obtain one in each state you travel through (the departure and arrival state). For example: if you need to move your unregistered vehicle from NSW to QLD, you will need to request a permit in NSW and another in QLD.

Compulsory Roadworthy Certificate

You have to pass a technical inspection to get a Roadworthy certificate and register the car (except in SA) and this comes with the risks of expensive repairs. If possible insist that the person selling you the car obtains this certificate before you buy the vehicle.

To purchase a car without Rego it is necessary to follow the same steps as for buying a car from outside the state of registration. Except that, obviously, the seller will not have to go to the transportation department to bring back the licence plates.

Be aware that a vehicle inspection will be mandatory (except in SA) to register the car if the rego has expired for more than 3 months (TAS, WA, NSW) or more than 12 months in the NT. Of course an inspection is also mandatory for vehicles from the VIC, QLD and AC

Selling a vehicle outside its state of registration

To sell a vehicle outside its state of registration, there are two options:

Option 1: Sale without plate change and with the RWC of the state where you are going to sell it.

In principle, it is possible to sell a vehicle from any state (except Victoria and Queensland), outside of its state of registration by simply completing the transfer form with the buyer. However, in reality, it is difficult to find a buyer without a Roadworthy Certificate (RWC) from the state where you are going to sell it because the buyer will have to change the rego themselves.

So, you have to pass an inspection to have an RWC and give it to the buyer, along with the transfer form and a formal receipt (keep a copy). After the sale, the Notice of Disposal/Seller’s Copy must be sent to the Department of Transportation in the state of registration.

If there are days left on your rego and you want a refund for these, you must accompany the buyer to the transport department to return the plates. They will give you a receipt for the plates that you send with the reimbursement form to the transportation department of the old state of registration. Note that for a vehicle from NSW or ACT it is the buyer who takes the reimbursement for the remaining days of rego.

South Australia

In South Australia, there is no RWC but rather a Vehicle ID Check which is done at the Inspection Station at Regency Park, Adelaide or Mt Gambier. If you live more than 40km from an inspection station, the Vehicle ID check can be done at a police station.

If there are days left on your rego and you want a refund for these, you must accompany the buyer to the transport department to return the plates. They will give you a receipt for the plates that you send with the reimbursement form to the transportation department of the old state of registration.

Victoria and Queensland

It is not possible to leave the VIC or QLD plates on the vehicle at the time of resale. You must therefore accompany the buyer to return the plates, even if you are not going to ask for a refund. Also, selling without RWC from the state you are in is not an option unless the rego is canceled.

Western Australia

WA is an exception. This is the only state that accepts transfer papers in the mail. So if the buyer is a backpacker (non-resident), it is possible to sell a WA vehicle anywhere in Australia by completing the transfer form with the buyer. It is not necessary to provide an RWC or change the plates.

Note that on the form the buyer must put a residential address in WA and must tick ‘YES’ to the question “Will this vehicle be kept primarily in WA?” “. Send the ‘Seller’s Copy’ of the transfer form to DOT WA in 7 days.

Also note: if the buyer is an Australian resident or the buyer wants to change the plate, it is mandatory to accompany the buyer and hand over the plates at the time of transfer. In this case it is likely that the buyer will require the RWC.

NOTE: If the buyer is willing to go to the state of registry in 14 days to make the transfer, the RWC is not required and you can follow the procedure as if you were in the state of registry .
For example, often buyers of NSW cars in Melbourne or Brisbane go to NSW to make the transfer because the border is not far.
Often buyers of SA cars in Melbourne are ready to go to Mt Gambier to make the transfer.
However, unfortunately this option is not available for cars from Victoria or Queensland.

Option 2: Changing the rego before resale

If you change the rego to the state where you are going to sell the vehicle, it will be easier to find a buyer. Of course, this is not necessarily the case for a WA state vehicle.

The procedure here is a little more complicated, and you will have to pay the new rego. However, you can request a refund for the remaining days of the rego.

Changing the rego is much cheaper in the NT where the minimum rego is 1 month. In the VIC, TAS, ACT, WA and SA, the minimum is 3 months. For the state of QLD, it is 6 months. In NSW, it is quite an expensive strategy because you have to pay 12 months of rego to change the plates.

You must submit a registration form, your proof of identity including your passport and a copy of your bank statement linked to an address in the state in which you are going to change the rego.

Once you change the rego, you then follow the procedure for selling a vehicle in its state of registration.

In all states, except SA and VIC, you must pass the RWC to change the plate.

South Australia

In SA, a Vehicle ID check is not necessary if you have your Registration Certificate from another state. Otherwise, a Vehicle ID Check is mandatory at the Inspection Station in Regency Park, Adelaide or Mt Gambier. If you have an address more than 40km from a station, the Vehicle ID check is done at a police station.

Victoria

In Victoria, the RWC is not required to change the plate if you have your current Registration Certificate but the RWC will still be required for resale.

💡 Refund of remaining Rego days

The transportation department will give you a receipt for the plates. If you want to request a refund for the remaining days of the rego, you must send this receipt along with the reimbursement form to the Department of Transportation in the current state of registration.

For NSW cars, it is prudent to contact the company that covers the Green Slip (compulsory insurance) to request the procedure for a refund. Normally the Green Slip is worth more than the rego.

Rego Renewal

You will be able to renew the rego of all states by internet, telephone or in person. To pay online: in NSW, ACT and WA all you need is the plate number. In Tasmania and NT you also need the transaction / payment number, which can be found on the Renewal Notice. For the states of VIC and QLD the customer number is mandatory and in SA the customer number or billing number is required. In addition, if at the time of the transfer you open a myVicRoads or mysaGOV account it is possible to renew the rego with your account. Otherwise you have the option of paying by phone or in person.

For NSW and NT

For cars from NSW (over 5 years old) or NT (from 5 years old) a technical check is required to renew the rego. Usually, the technical control must be done in the state that requires it. For NSW and the NT, the technical inspection is required annually. So if the former owner has passed a technical inspection six months ago and it was renewed it is not necessary to renew it for six months.

For NT vehicles, if you are not on the territory and an inspection is mandatory for renewal. NT will accept out-of-state RWC but MVR in Darwin should be contacted for information on how to proceed. For NSW vehicles, if you are not in the state, be aware that there is a procedure by email and telephone where NSW accepts RWCs from other states but the procedure is quite complicated and can’t be done online.

Rego State by State table in Australia

Find a summary of the rules for each state here:

LPG vehicles

For an ACT or TAS LPG vehicle, a gas inspection is required from an accredited gas company.

FAQs Rego

Article by Tom Kimmet (Rego expert) – Updated 16/04/2024