Australia Vehicle Transfer Duty (Stamp Duty) 2026 Rates

April 26, 2026 in Sydney, Australia — Vehicle transfer duty — commonly called stamp duty in Australia — is a state government tax levied when a car's ownership changes hands. With rates ranging from 0% in NSW, ACT, and NT to 6.4% in Victoria, buying the same $60,000 car in Melbourne versus Sydney can mean a $3,840 difference in transfer duty alone.

Understanding Vehicle Transfer Duty in Australia

Vehicle transfer duty (or stamp duty) is a one-time tax applied when ownership of a motor vehicle is transferred from one party to another. It applies to:

New vehicle purchases from dealerships
Used vehicle purchases from private sellers
Transfers between family members (in some states)
Company vehicle transfers to personal ownership

Transfer duty is separate from annual vehicle registration fees and is paid to the state revenue office of the state where the vehicle will be registered.

Complete State-by-State Transfer Duty Rates 2026

State/Territory	Transfer Duty Rate	Method	Notes
NSW	$0	Exempt	Exemption from 2023, expires June 2027
VIC	6.4%	Ad valorem	Highest rate in Australia
QLD	$7 per $1,000	Per $1,000	0.7% equivalent
WA	$2.70 per $1,000	Per $1,000	Lowest rate; EV exemption available
SA	$2.20-$2.30 per $1,000	Per $1,000	Sliding scale by value
TAS	$3 per $1,000	Per $1,000	Sliding scale
ACT	$0	Exempt	No duty on vehicles
NT	$0	Exempt	No duty on vehicles

NSW: No Vehicle Transfer Duty (Temporarily)

NSW removed stamp duty on motor vehicles from 2023 — the first Australian state to fully exempt vehicles from transfer duty. This saves buyers between $90 and $360 on a typical vehicle purchase. The exemption is set to end on June 30, 2027. After this date, NSW may reintroduce vehicle transfer duty.

NSW EV Exemption Bonus

In addition to the general vehicle exemption, NSW offers a specific exemption for new EVs under $78,000 purchased before June 30, 2027. This means a $65,000 Tesla Model 3 currently costs $0 in transfer duty in NSW — compare this to Victoria where the same car would cost $4,160 in stamp duty.

Victoria: Highest Vehicle Transfer Duty in Australia

Victoria charges an ad valorem rate of 6.4% on all vehicle transfers. There is no exemption for EVs in Victoria's transfer duty system.

Vehicle Price	Victoria Transfer Duty	NSW Transfer Duty (current)
$20,000	$1,280	$0
$35,000	$2,240	$0
$50,000	$3,200	$0
$75,000	$4,800	$0
$100,000	$6,400	$0

Queensland: $7 Per $1,000 Rate

Queensland charges transfer duty at a rate of $7 per $1,000 of the vehicle value. This equates to 0.7% — much lower than Victoria's 6.4%.

Example: $50,000 vehicle in QLD = $50 x $7 = $350 transfer duty

Same vehicle in VIC = $50,000 x 6.4% = $3,200 transfer duty

Difference: Victoria costs $2,850 more in transfer duty than Queensland.

Western Australia: Low Rate with EV Concession

Western Australia charges the lowest rate among states that apply vehicle transfer duty at $2.70 per $1,000 (0.27%). Additionally, EVs under $75,000 qualify for a full exemption.

Example: $50,000 fossil fuel car in WA = 50 x $2.70 = $135 transfer duty

Example: $50,000 EV in WA = $0 transfer duty

Family Transfers: Exemptions Apply

Most Australian states offer reduced or exempt transfer duty for transfers between immediate family members:

State	Spouse/Partner	Parent-Child	Notes
NSW	Exempt	Full duty applies	Spouse transfers exempt
VIC	Exempt	Full duty applies	Spouse transfers exempt
QLD	Exempt	May apply	Check with QRO
WA	Exempt	May apply	Check with WA SRO
SA	Exempt	May apply	Check with SA Revenue

How to Pay Vehicle Transfer Duty

In most states, transfer duty is calculated and paid when you register the vehicle with your local roads authority. The registration process collects the duty automatically and remits it to the state revenue office. You can also calculate estimated duty using each state's revenue office website before purchasing.

Conclusion

Vehicle transfer duty varies dramatically across Australia — from $0 in NSW, ACT, and NT to 6.4% in Victoria. If you are buying a $60,000 car, choosing to register in NSW rather than Victoria saves $3,840 in transfer duty. However, NSW's exemption ends June 30, 2027, making 2026 the last year of guaranteed zero-duty vehicle purchases in NSW.

Disclaimer: Transfer duty rates based on State Revenue Office data as of April 2026. Confirm rates with your state revenue office before purchasing.

Official Resources: NSW State Revenue | SRO Victoria | Queensland Revenue | WA Government

Questions

Is stamp duty charged on used cars in Australia?

Yes. Vehicle transfer duty (stamp duty) is charged on both new and used vehicles whenever ownership transfers. The duty is calculated on the market value of the vehicle at the time of transfer, not the original purchase price. If you buy a used car from a private seller, you still pay transfer duty.

Which Australian state has no stamp duty on vehicles?

NSW removed vehicle transfer stamp duty in 2023, making it the first Australian state to fully exempt motor vehicles. Previously, NSW charged stamp duty on all vehicle purchases. The ACT and NT also charge no duty on vehicles.

How is transfer duty calculated on a car in Australia?

Transfer duty (stamp duty) is calculated either as a percentage of the vehicle value (Victoria: 6.4%) or as a rate per $1,000 of value (Queensland: $7 per $1,000). The calculation method varies by state. Some states also use tiered rates based on vehicle price brackets.

What is the highest vehicle stamp duty rate in Australia?

Victoria has the highest ad valorem rate at 6.4% of the vehicle value. On a $60,000 car, this equates to $3,840 in stamp duty — the highest in Australia. Queensland is second at approximately 0.7% ($7 per $1,000 = $420 on a $60,000 car).

Do EVs get stamp duty exemption in Australia?

NSW exempts new EVs under $78,000 from transfer duty until June 2027. Victoria and Queensland offer exemptions or concessions for certain EVs. WA exempts EVs under $75,000. The ACT and NT already charge no duty on any vehicles, so EVs are already treated equally there.

How much is stamp duty on a $50,000 car in Victoria?

In Victoria, stamp duty on a $50,000 vehicle is $3,200 (6.4% of $50,000). This is the highest state-based vehicle tax in Australia. Victoria does not currently offer an EV concession for vehicle stamp duty.

Can I avoid stamp duty by buying from a family member?

In most Australian states, transfers between family members (spouses, de facto partners, parent-child) may qualify for exemptions or reduced rates. This is commonly used to transfer a vehicle within a family without paying full stamp duty. Check with your state revenue office for specific rules.

Is the stamp duty exemption for EVs being reviewed in 2026?

The NSW EV exemption is set to expire on June 30, 2027. From July 2027, EVs may be subject to stamp duty at the standard NSW rate (based on vehicle value brackets). If you are considering buying an EV in NSW, doing so before the deadline could save $750-$2,000 in transfer duty.