Stamp Duty · Calculator

Vehicle Stamp Duty on $20,000 Car in South Australia

Vehicle stamp duty on a $20,000 car in South Australia is $740 (3.70%). Compare car stamp duty across all states. 2025-26 rates.

Stamp Duty on Vehicles $740.00 SA duty on a $20,000 vehicle

Effective rate 3.70%

Vehicle value $20,000

Cheapest state WA ($550)

Duty Breakdown

Vehicle value	$20,000
Stamp Duty on Vehicles (SA)	$740.00
Effective duty rate	3.70%

How SA calculates vehicle stamp duty

South Australia charges stamp duty on a stepped scale: $1 per $100 up to $1,000; then $10 plus $2 per $100 to $2,000; $30 plus $3 per $100 to $3,000; and $60 plus $4 per $100 above $3,000. The same scale covers virtually all passenger vehicles.

At $20,000, you're in the budget and used-car range, where most states apply their lowest duty tier.

SA Stamp Duty on Vehicles rate tiers

Value band	Rate
Up to $1,000	$1 per $100
$1,000 – $2,000	$10 + $2 per $100
$2,000 – $3,000	$30 + $3 per $100
Over $3,000	$60 + $4 per $100

Above $3,000 — which covers nearly every car — SA effectively charges about $4 per $100, one of the simpler structures in the country.

Compare Nearby Vehicle Values in SA

Vehicle Value	Stamp Duty	Effective Rate
$15,000	$540.00	3.60%
$20,000	$740.00	3.70%
$25,000	$940.00	3.76%

Compare $20,000 Car Across All States

Standard passenger vehicle. Sorted cheapest to most expensive.

State	Stamp Duty	Effective Rate
WA	$550.00	2.75%
NSW	$600.00	3.00%
QLD	$600.00	3.00%
TAS	$600.00	3.00%
NT	$600.00	3.00%
ACT	$600.00	3.00%
SA	$740.00	3.70%
VIC	$840.00	4.20%

Buying in WA instead of VIC saves $290 in stamp duty on a $20,000 vehicle.

Frequently asked questions

How much is stamp duty on a $20,000 car in SA?

Stamp duty on a $20,000 vehicle in South Australia is $740. This represents an effective rate of 3.70% of the vehicle's value. This applies to a standard passenger vehicle — rates may vary for commercial vehicles, motorcycles, or EVs depending on the state.

Which state has the cheapest stamp duty on a $20k car?

For a $20,000 vehicle, Western Australia has the lowest stamp duty at $550 (2.75%). The most expensive is Victoria at $840 — a difference of $290.

When do I pay vehicle stamp duty in SA?

In South Australia, vehicle stamp duty (Stamp Duty on Vehicles) is typically paid when you register or transfer a vehicle into your name. For new vehicles from a dealer, it's usually included in the on-road costs. For private sales, you pay when transferring registration.

Does South Australia tax commercial vehicles differently?

Slightly. Commercial vehicles use the same scale up to $2,000 but then stay at $30 plus $3 per $100, rather than stepping up to $4 per $100 above $3,000. This page shows the non-commercial passenger rate.

Does SA offer an EV stamp duty concession?

South Australia does not apply a separate stamp duty concession for electric vehicles — EVs are charged on the standard value-based scale shown here.

Is vehicle stamp duty the same as property stamp duty?

No. Vehicle stamp duty and property stamp duty are completely separate taxes with different rates. Vehicle duty is generally much lower — typically 3-5% of the vehicle's value compared to up to 5-7% for property.

Need a custom calculation?

Our interactive Vehicle Stamp Duty Calculator lets you enter any vehicle value and select vehicle-specific options (engine type, emissions category, EV concessions) for a precise estimate.