How to Transfer Car Ownership

Transfers of vehicle registration in New South Wales must be completed within 14 days of acquiring your vehicle. This can be done online, provided the circumstances meet Service NSW’s requirements, namely that you’re buying a car registered in the state and hold a NSW driver’s licence. You can check the Service NSW website if you’re unsure whether you qualify for an online transfer.

A $35 fee applies for transferring the vehicle’s registration to your name, while a fee of $161 is charged if you fail to do so within the first 14 days after you acquire your vehicle.

As is standard, transferring registration as a seller requires you to complete a NOD form as soon as possible so the buyer can complete the process on their end. This can also be submitted online under most circumstances but can also be done in person at a Service NSW Centre or delivered via post.

In the NT, there’s a simple, three-step process you need to follow to transfer car ownership into your name:

• Confirm whether your vehicle requires an inspection or compliance check
• Fill out the R11 application to register a vehicle, which includes providing proof of ownership, identity and address, as well as a roadworthy inspection report (if required)
• Submit your application in person at an MVR office and pay all required fees, including for number plates, stamp duty and registration

The transfer of ownership fee applicable in the NT is $20, with stamp duty being 3% of the car’s purchase price.

A NOD is required to be submitted to the MVR if you’re selling your vehicle, signed by both you and the new owner, which can be submitted via email, mail or in person at an MVR office.

You can transfer the registration of a vehicle into your name online in Queensland, provided it meets the following government requirements:

• You’re transferring the registration of a vehicle already registered in Queensland into a single name
• The seller of the vehicle has already submitted a registration transfer application
• You hold a Queensland driver’s licence or customer reference number
• You aren’t applying for a registration exemption or concession or an exemption from providing a safety certificate or paying the transfer fee

You’ll need to provide your driver’s licence or customer reference number, purpose of use, odometer reading and dutiable value of the car. The registration transfer fee is $31.50, while the transfer of a personalised number plate is $114.20. A late payment fee applies if you fail to complete the transfer within 14 days, while vehicle registration duty may also be applicable.

If you’re selling your vehicle in Queensland, you can also complete your end of the transfer online if you’re transferring to a single person with a Queensland driver’s licence number or customer reference number and aren’t claiming an exemption from providing a safety certificate.

There are additional restrictions, such as if your car has personalised number plates, so it’s worth checking the Queensland Government website to determine whether you can apply online.

If you aren’t able to complete this process online as a buyer or seller, this can be completed in person.

If you’re purchasing a vehicle registered in SA, its registration must be transferred to you within 14 days. This can be done online via your mySAGOV account (unless it doesn’t qualify for online transfer, such as if it’s unregistered or registered in another state) or in person at Service SA or via post by completing the required transfer form.

You’ll be required to pay a $31 registration fee and stamp duty on your car. If this isn’t completed within 14 days, you’re liable to pay a $99 late transfer fee.

If you’re selling your vehicle, you’ll need to lodge a NOD with Service SA as soon as possible. The available processes for submitting this are the same as for sellers.

In Tasmania, you can transfer vehicle registration either online or in person at a Service Tasmania Centre. If you’re buying the car, you’ll need the following information to complete the process online:

• Vehicle registration number and VIN or Chassis number
• Surname of both the buyer and seller (or the name of any organisation involved)
• Date of purchase
• Whichever is higher out of the purchase and market price of the vehicle
• Tasmanian driver’s licence numbers of both parties (or Motor Registry CIN for dealers and organisations)
• Card details to pay all required costs

This must be completed within 14 days of acquiring your vehicle or penalties will apply. You’ll be required to pay a duty and transfer fee when completing this process, both of which can be calculated via the Tasmanian Government website.

Sellers can complete the NOD form either online (with all of the above information) or in person at a Service Tasmania Centre, by mail or by email.

VicRoads must be notified of the transfer within 14 days of taking possession of the vehicle if you’re buying a car in Victoria. Transfers will require a completed vehicle transfer form, which is signed by both the buyer and the seller and a roadworthy certificate. On top of this, you’ll need to pay a transfer fee (which, for a motor vehicle in a private sale, is $43.70) and motor vehicle duty for the car.

This process can be completed online, requiring details and a photo of your original roadworthy certificate (from no more than 30 days before the sale date) and payment of any fees. There are circumstances where this will have to be completed in person at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre, such as:

• The seller of the car is yet to submit the NOD to your myVicRoads account
• You’re eligible to receive an exemption from either a roadworthy certificate or motor vehicle duty
• The vehicle is being purchased on behalf of an organisation

As a vehicle seller, you’ll still need to complete the transfer form (if your car’s buyer hasn’t already), as well as log the transfer on your myVicRoads account.

In WA, vehicles can be transferred into your name via one of two ways: DoTDirect or MR9 form. A DoTDirect submission doesn’t require a transfer form to be completed, but if you’re unable to do this, you can complete the following steps with an MR9 form:

• Complete an MR9 form signed by both you and the seller
• Ensure the car is fitted with a Government-approved immobiliser and obtain a fitment of immobiliser declaration form (if possible)
• Submit your completed forms alongside proof of identification and age
• Receive an invoice for vehicle licence duty and a $20.40 transfer fee after your vehicle transfer form is received

The invoice is required to be paid within 28 days of it being issued or a penalty will apply.

The process for the seller is slightly different from what it is in other states. While you’ll still need to complete the MR9 form with the buyer, you’ll then receive two copies of the form: the Seller’s copy (blue) and the Purchaser’s copy (red). You’ll be required to mail your copy to the Department of Transport within seven days of the vehicle’s sale and provide the other copy to your car’s buyer.