In Australia's most populated state, how much does stamp duty on a car cost? It's calculated using either the car's market value or the price you paid for it, whichever is higher. The schedule in NSW is fairly simple; as shown in the table below.
Stamp duty is a fee imposed for official documents by state governments. It is typically charged on the buying of cars as well as other items like as land or shares.
It's a one-time payment made when you transfer ownership of a new or used vehicle from a dealer or private seller.
The cost of stamp duty is determined by the state in which the car is registered as well as the vehicle's price. There are additional elements to consider, such as the type of vehicle and how "green" the engine is, so have a look at the table below to see how much you'll have to pay in your state.
New South Wales
In Australia's most populated state, how much does stamp duty on a car cost? It's calculated using either the car's market value or the price you paid for it, whichever is higher. The schedule in NSW is fairly simple; as shown in the table below.
| Vehicle value | Duty payable |
|---|---|
| Up to $44,999 | $3 for every $100 |
| $45,000 or more | $1,350, plus $5 for every $100 |
Queensland
According to the Queensland Government, stamp duty is determined based on the car's engine. It also has a fairly broad threshold, with differing stamp duty payments for vehicles depending on whether they cost more than $100,000 or less.
| Type of vehicle | Rate |
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South Australia
In addition to vehicle price, stamp duty in South Australia is calculated based on whether the vehicle is a commercial or non-commercial vehicle. Stamp duty on non-commercial vehicles is calculated as follows:
| Value | Amount of stamp duty |
|---|---|
| Does not exceed $1,000 | $1 for every $100 or part of $100 with a minimum of $5 payable in all cases |
| Exceeds $1,000 but not $2,000 | $10 plus $2 for every $100 or part of $100 over $1,000 |
| Exceeds $2,000 but not $3,000 | $30 plus $3 for every $100 or part of $100 over $2,000 |
| Exceeds $3,000 | $60 plus $4 for every $100 or part of $100 over $3,000 |
The same tariffs apply to business vehicles up to $2000. If the vehicle's worth exceeds $2000, the stamp duty charge is $30 + $3 per $100 or fraction of $100 over $2000.
Tasmania
The Apple Isle's stamp duty rates are calculated depending on the vehicle's market value.
| Dutiable value | Duty payable |
|---|---|
| $0 - $600 | $20 |
| $600 - $35,000 | $3 per $100, or part thereof, of dutiable value |
| $35,000 - $40,000 | $1,050 plus $11 per $100, or part thereof, that the dutiable value exceeds $35,000 |
| over $40,000 | $4 per $100, or part thereof, of dutiable value |
Victoria
For the year 2021, Victoria has implemented a new, more complicated set of tariffs. Different stamp duty rates apply depending on whether the car emits a certain amount of CO2, if it is registered to a primary producer, or if it is classified as a "non passenger vehicle," which includes single- and dual-cab utes, commercial vans, motorcycles, and vehicles designed to carry more than eight people, such as minibuses. The rate is calculated based on the car's market value or the purchase price (whichever is greater).
Unlike some other states, stamp duty is collected by the dealer, although it is paid directly to VicRoads by the buyer when buying privately.
| Vehicle type | Category | Market value | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low emission (120gm/km) passenger vehicle | New, used registration or transfer of registration | Any value | $8.40 per $200 of the market value or part thereof |
| Primary producer passenger vehicles | New, used registration or transfer of registration | Any value | $8.40 per $200 of that market value or part thereof |
| Passenger vehicles | New, used registration or transfer of registration | Up to $69,152 | $8.40 per $200 of the market value or part thereof |
| Luxury passenger vehicles | New, used registration or transfer of registration | Over $69,153 up to $100,000 | $10.40 per $200 of the market value or part thereof |
| Upper luxury passenger vehicles | New, used registration or transfer of registration | Over $101,000 up to $150,000 | $14.00 per $200 of the market value or part thereof |
| Super luxury passenger vehicles | New, used registration or transfer of registration | More than $150,001 | $18.00 per $200 of the market value or part thereof |
| Non passenger vehicles and motorcycles | New registration1 | Any value | $5.40 per $200 of the market value or part thereof |
| Non-passenger vehicles and motorcycles (includes heavy trailers) | Used or transfer of registration | Any value | $8.40 per $200 of the market value or part thereof |
| Demonstrator passenger vehicles2 | Second hand registration or transfer of registration | Any market value | Applicable new car rate |
Western Australia
Stamp duty in WA is calculated based on the vehicle's 'dutiable value,' which is either the manufacturer's list price (for new vehicles) or a realistic market value (for used cars).
| Dutiable value | Value rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $25,000 | 2.75% of dutiable value |
| $25,000 - $50,000 | R% of the dutiable value, where R = [2.75 + ((dutiable value - 25,000)/ 6,666.66)] rounded to 2 decimal places |
| Over $50,000 | 6.5% of dutiable value |
Australian Capital Territory
Stamp duty in the ACT is calculated using a combination of a car's price and the Federal government's Green Vehicle Guide rating.
Vehicles are classified into four categories: A, B, C, and D. The "greenest" models are classified as Class A, while the "worst" ones are classified as Class D. Class C cars are those that have not been rated by the Green Vehicle Guide.
| Vehicle performance rating | Duty amount payable for vehicles valued below $ 45,000.00 | Duty amount payable for vehicles valued at $45,000 or more |
|---|---|---|
| A | $ nil | $ nil |
| B | $1 for every $100, or part of $100, of the dutiable value. | $450, plus $2 for every $100, or part of $100, of the dutiable value. |
| C and non-rated vehicles | $3 for each $100, or part of $100, of the dutiable value. | $1,350, plus $5 for every $100, or part of $100, of the dutiable value. |
| D | $4 for each $100, or part of $100, of the dutiable value. | $1,800, plus $6 for every $100, or part of $100, of the dutiable value. |
Northern Territory
Stamp duty on vehicles in the Northern Territory is set at 3% of the vehicle's dutiable worth plus an $18 transfer of ownership charge.
Is it possible to avoid paying stamp duty on a car purchase?
There are a few exemptions to paying stamp duty on new and secondhand vehicle acquisitions, but they are few and far between. You can avoid paying stamp duty if, for example:
- You're on a disability pension
- The car is largely being used to transport another disabled person.
- You are an eligible war veteran
- The vehicle was left to you in a will
- The car was acquired as part of a divorce settlement
- You paid stamp duty in another state and have subsequently relocated
- The vehicle is being used for charity (in some states)
- Seniors and pensioners with the necessary cards are not excluded from paying stamp duty, however, they may be exempt from other charges, such as the registration fee, when purchasing a car.