What a used car really costs: stamp duty, transfer and insurance by state

The price in the ad is never the price you pay. Every state adds stamp duty, a transfer fee and CTP on top. Calculate yours below. Rates verified against official state sources in August 2026.

Stamp duty rates by state (2026)

State	How duty is calculated on a used car
NSW	$3 per $100 up to $45,000, then $1,350 + $5 per $100 above that. Charged on the sale price or market value, whichever is higher.
VIC	$8.40 per $200 up to $80,567, rising to $10.40, $14.00 and $18.00 per $200 in higher value tiers.
QLD	Depends on the engine: $2 per $100 for electric/hybrid, $3 for 1–4 cylinders, $3.50 for 5–6, $4 for 7+. Higher rates apply above $100,000.
WA	2.75% up to $25,000, a sliding rate between $25,000 and $50,000, and 6.5% above $50,000.
NT	$3 per $100 of the vehicle's value.
SA / TAS / ACT	Tiered (SA, TAS) or emissions-based (ACT) systems that need vehicle-specific detail. Use the official calculator linked below for an exact figure.

Sources: Revenue NSW · VicRoads · QLD Government · Transport WA · NT Government · RevenueSA · Transport Tasmania · Access Canberra. Verified August 2026. Rates change; always confirm with the official source before you buy.

The transfer fee

On top of stamp duty, every state charges a registration transfer fee when the car changes hands, typically between $20 and $50 depending on the state. The buyer usually pays it, and in most states you have 14 days after the sale to lodge the transfer before late fees kick in. It's small money, but miss the deadline and it stops being small.

CTP and insurance

Compulsory third party insurance (CTP) covers injuries to people, not damage to cars, and you can't legally drive without it. In most states it's bundled into the rego you're taking over, so a car with 8 months of rego includes 8 months of CTP. NSW is the exception: the green slip is bought separately, so factor it in when comparing cars.

Comprehensive insurance is optional but worth pricing before you buy, not after. The same car can cost wildly different amounts to insure depending on the model's theft and repair record. A five-minute quote on the exact car you're eyeing has killed many bad purchases early.

A worked example

That $38,500 Hilux in NSW isn't $38,500. Add roughly $1,155 of stamp duty, the transfer fee, and a green slip, and you're walking out closer to $40,000. Which is exactly why your negotiation should start from the on-road total, not the sticker.