Calculate how much stamp duty you will pay when buying or transferring a car, motorcycle, or other vehicle in Australia. Select your state and enter the vehicle value for an instant estimate.
Looking for Victoria specifically? Use our dedicated VIC Car Stamp Duty Calculator for a VIC-focused calculator page.
All 8 states & territoriesEV concessions2025-26 rates
01 —INPUTS
Purchase price or market value, whichever is higher.
Each state and territory charges vehicle stamp duty (also called motor vehicle duty or vehicle registration duty) at different rates. Here is a summary of how each state calculates duty on a standard passenger car.
State
Official name
Rate summary
NSW
Motor Vehicle Duty
$3 per $100 up to $45k; $5 per $100 above $45k
VIC
Motor Vehicle Duty
$8.40–$18 per $200, tiered by value
QLD
Vehicle Registration Duty
$2–$4 per $100 depending on engine/cylinders
WA
Vehicle Licence Duty
2.75% up to $25k, sliding to 6.5% above $50k
SA
Stamp Duty on Vehicles
$1–$4 per $100, progressive brackets
TAS
Motor Vehicle Duty
$3 per $100 up to $35k; 4% above $40k
NT
Stamp Duty on Motor Vehicles
Flat $3 per $100 (EV exempt up to $50k)
ACT
Motor Vehicle Duty
Emissions-based, $2.50–$4.53 per $100, tiered by value
Duty by price across states
Vehicle stamp duty by price across states
Stamp duty on a standard petrol passenger car at common price points, calculated with each state's current schedule. Electric and low-emission vehicles may pay less — see the concessions below.
State
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
NSW
$600
$900
$1,200
$2,100
$3,100
VIC
$840
$1,260
$1,680
$2,520
$3,360
QLD
$600
$900
$1,200
$1,800
$2,400
WA
$550
$1,050
$2,000
$3,900
$5,200
SA
$740
$1,140
$1,540
$2,340
$3,140
TAS
$600
$900
$1,600
$2,400
$3,200
NT
$600
$900
$1,200
$1,800
$2,400
ACT
$600
$900
$1,200
$2,133
$3,177
Standard petrol passenger vehicle at the dutiable value shown. QLD assumes a 1–4 cylinder car; ACT assumes an average-emission (category B) car. EV and hybrid concessions are not applied here.
Worked example
Worked example: a $40,000 car
WA uses a sliding-scale rate between $25,000 and $50,000, so the same car costs almost twice as much to register there as in a flat-rate state like NSW:
An electric vehicle registered in the NT at this price pays $0 — the NT exempts EVs up to $50,000 until 30 June 2027.
Electric vehicle concessions
Several states offer reduced stamp duty for electric and low-emission vehicles, though many concessions have expired in recent years.
→NT — Full exemption for EVs valued up to $50,000 (until 30 June 2027). Duty on excess above $50k only.
→QLD — Hybrid and electric vehicles pay $2 per $100 (lowest tier) instead of $3–$4 per $100.
→VIC — Green vehicles (CO₂ ≤ 120 g/km) pay a flat $8.40 per $200 regardless of value, avoiding higher tiers.
→ACT — Zero-emission vehicles (AAA category) get the lowest rate tier ($2.50 per $100). Higher-emission vehicles pay up to $4.53 per $100.
→NSW, SA, TAS — Previous EV stamp duty concessions have expired.
FAQ
How is vehicle stamp duty calculated in Australia?
Vehicle stamp duty (also called motor vehicle duty) is calculated as a percentage of the vehicle's purchase price or market value, whichever is higher. Each state and territory has its own rates and rules. Most states use a simple per-$100 rate, while WA uses a sliding scale formula and VIC calculates per $200 of value.
Which state has the cheapest car stamp duty?
For a typical $40,000 passenger car, the Northern Territory and Queensland (1-4 cylinder) are generally the cheapest at around $1,200. NSW is also competitive at a similar level. Victoria and WA tend to be the most expensive for standard passenger vehicles.
Do electric vehicles get a stamp duty discount?
It varies by state. The NT offers a full stamp duty exemption for EVs up to $50,000 (until June 2027). Queensland charges a lower rate for hybrids and EVs ($2 per $100 vs $3+ for petrol). Victoria offers a flat lower rate for green vehicles (CO₂ ≤ 120g/km). Most other states have ended their EV stamp duty concessions.
When do I pay vehicle stamp duty?
Vehicle stamp duty is typically paid when you register or transfer a vehicle into your name. For new vehicles bought from a dealer, the duty is usually included in the on-road costs. For private sales, you pay when transferring registration at your state's transport authority.
Is vehicle stamp duty the same as property stamp duty?
No. Vehicle stamp duty (motor vehicle duty) and property stamp duty (transfer duty / conveyance duty) are completely separate taxes with different rates and rules. Vehicle duty is generally much lower — typically 3-5% of the vehicle's value compared to up to 5-7% for property.
How much is stamp duty on a $30,000 car in Australia?
Roughly $900 to $1,260 depending on the state — see the by-price table above. Most states charge about $3 per $100 ($900 on a $30,000 car), while Victoria charges $8.40 per $200 ($1,260). An eligible electric vehicle in the NT pays nil.
Why do expensive cars attract more stamp duty?
Several states step the rate up for higher-value vehicles. NSW jumps from $3 to $5 per $100 above $45,000; Victoria moves from $8.40 to as much as $18 per $200 above $80,567; and the ACT and QLD also apply higher tiers. So duty rises faster than the price once you pass those thresholds.
Do I pay stamp duty when buying a used car privately?
Yes. Vehicle stamp duty applies when registration is transferred into your name, whether the car is new or used and whether you buy from a dealer or privately. It is charged on the purchase price or the vehicle's market value, whichever is higher.
Tax Accuracy & Sources
Reviewed: March 2026 · Tax year: 2025-26
Estimates vehicle stamp duty (motor vehicle duty) for all Australian states and territories based on vehicle value and type. EV concessions, private vs dealer variations, and special registration categories may not be fully modelled.