Australia Car Tax Calculator 2026

Australia applies Goods and Services Tax (GST) at 10% on all vehicle purchases, collected by the Australian Taxation Office. This federal tax is included in the advertised price of most new vehicles.

The Luxury Car Tax (LCT) is a federal tax that applies to vehicles above a threshold value (currently AUD 89,332 for 2025–26), with an additional 33% applied to the amount above the threshold. This significantly affects the on-road price of premium and luxury vehicles, making it a critical component of total cost planning for higher-value purchases.

GST at 10% applies to all vehicle purchases in Australia. Stamp duty rates vary by state, ranging from approximately 3% to 5.5% of the vehicle value, with exemptions or concessions for certain vehicle categories including electric vehicles in some states.

Luxury Car Tax applies at 33% of the value above the threshold (currently AUD 89,332). For a vehicle priced at AUD 100,000, the LCT applies to AUD 10,668, adding approximately AUD 3,520 to the total cost.

Stamp duty rates vary significantly across Australian states and territories, creating a meaningful cost difference for buyers. New South Wales applies rates from 3% to 5.5% depending on vehicle value.

Some states offer stamp duty exemptions or concessions for electric vehicles as part of their electrification incentives. This can represent savings of AUD 2,000–10,000 or more for EV buyers in eligible states, making state-specific research valuable for electric vehicle purchases.

Vehicle registration in Australia is administered at the state and territory level through the relevant motor registry or service centre. Required documents include proof of identity, proof of purchase or transfer documentation, proof of interstate inspection if transferring registration, and compulsory third-party insurance certificate.

Registration periods vary from 3 months to 12 months depending on the state, with annual registration fees that include compulsory third-party insurance (CTP) and motor accident injury coverage, the cost of which varies significantly between states. CTP insurance costs are a major component of registration expenses in most states.

For a practical budget, calculate GST at 10%, stamp duty at your state's applicable rate (typically 3–5.5%), plus luxury car tax if applicable (33% above AUD threshold). Add registration fees of AUD 300–800 annually.

Using this calculator with your specific state selection gives you an accurate estimate that accounts for your jurisdiction's stamp duty rates. State selection matters significantly — the same AUD 40,000 vehicle can cost AUD 500–1,500 more or less depending on which state you purchase in.

With GST at 10%, state stamp duty that varies by jurisdiction, and luxury car tax at 33% above the threshold, Australia's vehicle tax structure is genuinely multi-layered. This calculator breaks down each federal and state component so you can see exactly what you are paying regardless of which state you are buying in.

The tool is updated as the ATO adjusts the LCT threshold and as state governments announce changes to stamp duty rates. Select your state to get jurisdiction-specific estimates for accurate budget planning.