How to transfer car registration in Australia | 2024

There are a few expenses to keep tabs on when buying a new car, besides the initial purchase price. From car insurance, to loan repayments, stamp duty, and, of course, car registration costs. 

But how do you actually transfer rego?

If you're purchasing a car registered to someone else, or you need to transfer your rego to a new owner, here's the skinny on rego transfer, broken-down state-by-state.

How much does it cost to transfer your car rego? 

The cost of transferring your car registration differs from state to state, which is why we’ve broken down the differences in this guide by where you live. 

As a buyer:

ACT residents can transfer car rego via an Access Canberra Service Centre and by completing a transfer vehicle registration form.

If your new vehicle is already registered in the ACT, you'll need to transfer it within 14 days, or a late fee may apply. 

Rego transfer costs $46.20 if the vehicle is already registered in the ACT and the transfer is completed within 14 days of it changing hands ($124.60 late fee applies), or $53.80 to re-register one that has lapsed.

If the vehicle is registered in another state or territory, then it will cost $106 to transfer the rego to the ACT. 

You may need:

• Proof of identity docs (e.g. an ACT driver's licence)
• A completed transfer vehicle registration form
• A debit or credit card to pay for the rego transfer fees 
• Proof of purchase. 

You may need other documents if, for instance, you have inherited or been gifted the car. More info is available on the Access Canberra website. 

As a seller:

After selling a car in the ACT, you must fill out an ‘Application to transfer vehicle registration’ form, as well as a ‘notice of disposal’ form. These can be found on the reverse side of your current registration certification and need to be filled out by yourself and the person buying the vehicle from you.

If you have lost or misplaced the registration papers, these forms can also be found online via the Access Canberra website.

For private car sales, a handwritten receipt is acceptable, so long as it contains:

• The vehicle details
• Sale date
• Your details and signature as the seller
• The buyer’s details
• The purchase price.

The receipt must also specifically state the sale of the vehicle from the seller to the buyer.

You should not give the notice of disposal to the buyer, as it must be either returned to an Access Canberra centre, posted to the Road Transport Authority or submitted via the Road Transport Authority contact form. You should also keep a copy of the form for your personal records.

As a buyer:

Buying a vehicle that's already registered to a NSW owner can be done online, provided the seller has submitted a notice of disposal. 

If you've bought a vehicle registered in NSW, you need to transfer the rego within 14 days to avoid a late fee. 

Rego transfer costs $37 if you transfer your rego within 14 days of purchase, otherwise a $172 late fee may apply.

To make the transfer online, the previous owner will have to first submit a notice of disposal. Then to actually transfer you will need to have a MyServiceNSW account set-up and be logged in. From there you will:

1. Select ‘transfer online’
2. Enter the NSW registration plate number
3. Enter the sale details (price and date of purchase) 
4. Enter pensioner details (if necessary)
5. Read and accept the terms and conditions and pay for the transfer. 
6. Finally, either print a copy of the receipt or have it sent to your email address.

You may need:

• A MyServiceNSW account (if online), or
• A completed application for transfer of registration form
• Proof of identity
• The purchase date of the vehicle
• The purchase or market price (whichever is higher)
• The vehicles rego certificate, completed and signed by the seller 
• A credit or debit card to pay the transfer fee, stamp duty, custom number plate fees (if applicable), motor vehicle tax. 

In some cases you may not be able to make the transfer online and instead may need to visit an NSW Service Centre (e.g. registering a heavy vehicle or buying a vehicle for a business).

As a seller:

To transfer registration for a vehicle you're selling you will need to provide the buyer with a document that proves their right to register the vehicle and lodge a notice of disposal. 

Documents you can provide to prove the new owner’s right to register the vehicle include:

• A Certificate of Registration
• A renewal notice
• An original letter, bill of sale, receipt or tax invoice with the relevant details. 

To submit a notice of disposal form you will need to have your details, the buyer’s details and the vehicle details. It is good to lodge this ASAP after the vehicle is sold, as the buyer will need to transfer the registration within 14 days of purchasing.

As a buyer: 

NT residents can transfer car registration with the Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) office in-person, via email, or via the post. 

Rego transfer in the NT costs $20 and is known as a transfer of ownership fee. If stamp duty is applicable, it'll cost you 3% of the vehicle purchase price.

To transfer rego in the NT:

1. Complete the R11 apply to register a vehicle in the NT form (signed by the buyer and seller)
2. Provide proof of ID and NT residency
3. Provide proof of vehicle ownership
4. Pay the transfer of ownership fee and stamp duty.  

As a seller:

When transferring car registration to another person in the NT, as a seller you must submit a notice of disposal to the MVR within 14 days of selling and supply the new vehicle owner with proof of ownership.

Whichever notice of disposal you use, it will need to be signed by both you and the buyer. Types of notice of disposal that are generally accepted include:

• An R06 notice of disposal form
• The most recent certificate of registration
• A clearly written document with both signatures
• A fax signed by both parties
• An email. 

The notice of disposal itself should include:

• The full names and addresses of both yourself and the buyer
• The buyer’s DOB
• The date the vehicle was sold
• The sale price or vehicle market value
• Both your signature and the buyer’s signature
• The vehicle registration number
• The make and model of the vehicle
• The vehicle identification number (VIN), or chassis number.

The seller can submit these documents in-person at an MVR office, via email, or via mail. 

As a buyer:

In Queensland you can transfer car registration online, through the Transport and Main Roads (TMR) website, so long as the seller has lodged an application to transfer the registration already. The transfer must be completed within 14 days of the vehicle changing hands. 

Rego transfer in Queensland costs $31.50.

When transferring vehicle registration through the TMR website, the seller must initiate the transfer out of their name before the buyer completes the process and pays the transfer fee. 

You may need:

• Your Qld driver's licence number (or customer reference number)
• Proof of Qld address 
• A credit or debit card to pay the transfer fee
• The vehicles purpose of use (i.e. personal or business)
• The odometer reading at the time of sale 
• The vehicle value. 

As a seller:

If you are selling a car, again you will need to transfer registration within 14 days of making the sale. To make the transfer online you will need to be transferring to only one person and that person will only need to have a Queensland driver’s licence or customer service number. 

There are a number of reasons why you might not be able to transfer the registration online, these include:

• If the buyer is claiming an exemption from providing a safety certificate
• If they are currently under a Number Plate Confiscation Notice issued by the Queensland Police Service
• If the car is fitted with a gas fuel system
• If the car has personalised number plates
• If the car is for any use other than private use
• If it's a bus/minibus or special interest vehicle.

To make the transfer online you will need to have your own details handy, as well as the buyer’s details. This includes:

• The buyer’s driver’s licence number
• The buyer's name and email address

You will also need the sale date, vehicle value and odometer reading.

As a buyer:

In SA, you can transfer vehicle registration online through your mySA GOV account , in-person at a Service SA centre, or via mail. 

It costs $31 to transfer car rego in SA. However, you must transfer it within 14 days of the sale, or risk paying a $99 late fee.

You may need:

• The car's plate number
• The seller's SA driver's licence number
• The seller's name.

You may also need proof of ownership, like a receipt for example. The receipt should include: 

• The buyer and seller's names
• The buyer and seller's addresses
• The buyer and seller's signatures 
• The vehicle's rego number
• The vehicle identification number (VIN)
• The vehicle's engine number 
• The vehicle's make and model
• The date of sale 
• The purchase price. 

As a seller:

When you sell or pass on a car in SA, you will need to notify Service SA. To do this you will need to lodge a notice of disposal, which should include:

• The buyer’s DOB
• The buyer's full name,
• The buyer's SA driver’s licence number or client number
• The date and time when you sold the car,
• The purchase price.

The notice of disposal can be on the vehicle’s registration certificate. If you do not have this you can either apply for a replacement or download a notice of disposal via the SA government website. The form itself can be submitted via email, sent by post or lodged in person at a Service SA customer service centre.

As a buyer: 

In Tasmania, you may be able to transfer your car rego online, or through a Service Tasmania centre. 

It costs $32.04 to transfer car rego in Tasmania, but you must complete the process within 14 days of buying the vehicle, or a late fee may be charged. 

You may need:

• The registration number
• The vehicle identification number (VIN) or chassis number
• The surnames of both buyer and seller
• Date of purchase
• Purchase price or market price of the vehicle (whichever is higher) 
• A credit or debit card to pay the rego transfer fee and stamp duty. 

If you're transferring your car rego in-person, you may also need a completed transfer application form (including signature from the previous owners, as well as your own), your current Tasmanian driver's licence, and a payment method for the transfer fee and stamp duty.  

As a seller:

In Tasmania, sellers have just seven days to submit a notice of disposal, after selling a vehicle. This can be done online, again you just need to make sure you have a few details handy. These include:

• The vehicle registration number
• The vehicle identification number (VIN)
• The buyer’s last name
• The date when the vehicle was sold
• The selling price or market price (whichever was higher). 

To be able to complete the form online the buyer will need to have a Tasmanian driver’s licence. If you are selling to a motor dealer, they will need to have a Motor Registry Identification Number (CIN).

Alternatively you can also submit a notice of disposal/application for transfer of vehicle registration form at a Service Tasmania shop, by post or email.

As a buyer:

If you buy a registered vehicle in Victoria, you can transfer the rego into your name online, via your myVicRoads account. However, before you can get started, the seller must submit a notice of disposal (NOD) through their account. 

Car rego transfer costs $43.70 in Victoria, and must be completed within 14 days of the sale, at the risk of suspended registration. 

You may need:

• A completed vehicle transfer form
• A roadworthiness certificate 
• A registration check
• A VicRoads customer number
• A valid Victoria driver's licence 
• A credit or debit card to pay the rego transfer fee
• The seller to complete a notice of disposal form. 

To transfer car rego in Victoria:

1. Download and complete the vehicle transfer form from the VicRoads website
2. Check the vehicle's registration status and use the Personal Property Security Register to check the vehicle's status (i.e. if it has money owing on it or if it has been reported stolen) 
3. Ensure you have your VicRoads customer number or driver's licence number handy 
4. Secure a roadworthy certificate (issued within 30 before the sale date) from the seller 
5. Purchase the vehicle 
6. Complete the transfer form with the seller 
7. Write a receipt as proof of purchase (including date and time of sale, both parties' name, address, and signature, the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the make and model of the car)
8. Log in to your VicRoads account and notify them of the transfer within 14 days.

As a seller:

When selling a car in Victoria, either you or the buyer must complete a vehicle transfer form. This can either be downloaded from the VicRoads website or you can pick up a copy from a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.

Then to complete the form you will need to fill out the seller details section and note down your VicRoads licence number or customer number. You will also need to make sure that the buyer has completed their details correctly and double check that both you and the buyer have signed the form. Lastly, once completed be sure to take a photo or photocopy of the form to keep as proof of transfer.

After completing the transfer form you will then want to notify VicRoads of the transfer. You can do this by

1. Logging into your myVicRoads account
2. Selecting the vehicle you’re transferring
3. Clicking ‘Transfer vehicle.’

If the vehicle is eligible to be transferred you’ll proceed to step one, which is the notice of disposal form. In steps two and three you will need to enter the buyer and transfer details. After this you can review and submit - the vehicle will be transferred out of your name within two business days.

You won’t be able to complete the transfer online if the buyer does not have a Victorian licence/customer number, or if you do not know the buyer’s details.

As a buyer:

When purchasing a second hand car in WA you can either transfer the vehicle registration into your name online via DoTDirect or by submitting an MR9 form in person.

The rego transfer fee in WA costs $20.40.

If you do have a DoTDirect account, you may be able to complete the transfer online. To do so you will just need to make sure you have the seller’s last name and the vehicle plate number handy. It should also be noted that some vehicles cannot be transferred online, such as vehicles that are jointly owned, heavy vehicles and vehicles that are being transferred to or from a company/organisation.

If you cannot complete the transfer online, you will have to fill out a vehicle transfer form with the seller. You will then need to obtain licence papers and check whether or not a government approved immobiliser is fitted to the vehicle (if required). 

After this you will need to submit forms and proof of ID. The government of WA, Department of Transport recommends doing this by post to avoid long queues. Documents you will need to submit include:

• Your copy of the vehicle transfer form (MR9)
• Fitment of immobiliser declaration form
• Proof of ID and age (e.g. WA driver's licence).

Once the vehicle registration transfer application has been received, you should be sent an invoice to pay the transfer fee. You will have 28 days from the invoice issue date to pay the fee. 

As a seller:

Similar to buying a car in WA, when selling a car in WA you can transfer the vehicle registration either online via your DoTDirect account, or if you don’t have one manually by submitting a form and other documents.

If you do not have a DoTDirect account or your vehicle cannot be transferred online, you can submit a Notification of Change of Ownership Vehicle Licence Transfer (MR9) form. You can download this form via the Department of Transport website or pick one up from the Driver and Vehicle Services Centre.

Once you have a copy of the form, both you and the buyer will need to complete it together. At this point it is worth noting that the downloaded version of the form is not carbonated. As such, both your copy and the buyer’s copy must be completed and signed by both of you.

You will then need to forward your copy (blue if carbonated) to the Department of Transport and give the purchaser’s copy (red, again if carbonated) to the buyer. The vehicle licence document and any other relevant paperwork should also be passed on to the buyer. As a courtesy you should also supply the buyer with information about the immobiliser. 

Your seller’s copy of the form will need to be posted to the Department of Transport within seven days of selling the vehicle. The postal address can be found on the form. DoT recommends that you keep a copy of the form for your own records.

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