The tax on the car, state by state.
Stamp duty on a car, also called vehicle stamp duty or car tax, is set by each state and territory, and the way it is worked out differs a lot between them. Pick yours for an instant estimate, or compare the whole country below1. Rates current as at 2026-07-23.
Choose your state
Open a state for the full interactive calculator, rates and worked examples.
Revenue NSW rates for a private passenger car.
State Revenue Office Victoria rates for a private passenger car.
Queensland Revenue Office rates for a private passenger car.
RevenueWA rates for a private passenger car.
RevenueSA rates for a private passenger car.
State Revenue Office Tasmania rates for a private passenger car.
ACT Revenue Office rates for a private passenger car.
Territory Revenue Office rates for a private passenger car.
A $40,000 car compared
The same car can cost hundreds more in duty depending on where you register it. This is the stamp duty on a $40,000 private passenger car in each state and territory (QLD assumes a 4-cylinder car and the ACT a petrol car bought new).
| State / territory | Duty on a $40,000 car |
|---|---|
| ACT | $1,136 |
| NSW | $1,200 |
| QLD | $1,200 |
| NT | $1,200 |
| SA | $1,540 |
| TAS | $1,600 |
| VIC | $1,680 |
| WA | $2,000 |
- 1 Uses the same vehicle-duty engine as the PFO app, verified against each state revenue office. Scope is a normal private passenger car; heavy vehicles, motorcycles, trailers and dealer/exempt transfers differ. EV concessions change often. Estimate only, not advice.
Common questions
How is car stamp duty worked out in Australia?+
Each state and territory sets its own vehicle stamp duty, charged on the dutiable value (the price paid or market value, whichever is higher, including GST). Some charge a flat percentage, some a rate per $100 of value, and Queensland and the ACT vary the rate by the engine or the car’s emissions rating.
Which state has the cheapest car stamp duty?+
On a $40,000 private passenger car, the lowest duty is in Australian Capital Territory (about $1,136) and the highest is in Western Australia (about $2,000), using current settings.
Do you pay stamp duty on an electric car?+
It depends on the state. Several early EV exemptions have ended (NSW, WA, TAS), Victoria and the ACT apply a reduced rate, Queensland has a lower EV band, and the NT still exempts eligible EVs up to $50,000 until mid-2027. Check your state revenue office before you buy.
When do you pay car stamp duty?+
Stamp duty is paid to your state revenue office when the vehicle is registered or transferred into your name, so budget for it on top of the purchase price and registration fees.