How To Transfer Ownership of a Car in Australia

Have you sold your car or are you buying a car from someone else? If so, you’ll need to make sure the car registration details get changed. That way, authorities know who it belongs to in case it’s stolen or when there are speeding or other traffic fines. So how do you transfer ownership of a car?

Below, we give you a guide on how to do so in each state, as well as outline why it’s so important to handle this piece of admin as quickly as possible.

Why is it important?

Transferring car ownership basically means making sure the car registration reflects the new owner. It’s a legal requirement that all cars on the road must be registered by law.

Why? Because it helps identify the car and who it belongs to, ensures cars meet safety and emissions standards, and the fees from registration help fund road maintenance and other public services. Here are other reasons why you should transfer ownership of a car as soon as possible after buying or selling:

• Legal responsibility: It makes sure the new owner is legally responsible for the car. This includes traffic fines, accidents, and other legal matters.
• Insurance coverage: Your insurance will require your vehicle registration in order to give you coverage.
• Accurate records: It updates the government records to show who currently owns the car.
• Avoid disputes: It prevents any misunderstandings or disputes between the buyer and seller about who owns the car.

Check out out our car rego check article, “Everything You Need to Know About Car Registration in Australia” to find out more, including the difference between car registration and roadworthy certificates and how much it costs to renew your car rego.

Car registration transfer in Australia

Here’s a simple guide to transferring car ownership in Australia, laid out by state:

How to transfer ownership of a car in New South Wales (NSW)

1. Seller: Fill out the Notice of Disposal (NOD) form and submit it online or at a service centre.
2. Buyer: Complete the Application for Transfer of Registration. Submit it at a Service NSW centre with proof of identity and payment for transfer fees and stamp duty.

Victoria (VIC)

1. Seller: Complete the Transfer of Registration form and give it to the buyer.
2. Buyer: Submit the Transfer of Registration form, roadworthy certificate, and proof of identity at a VicRoads customer service centre. Pay the transfer fee and stamp duty.

How to transfer ownership of a car in Queensland (QLD)

1. Seller: Complete the back of the registration certificate and give it to the buyer. Submit a Single Registration Transfer form to Transport and Main Roads.
2. Buyer: Submit the Single Registration Transfer form, proof of identity, and pay the transfer fee and duty at a Transport and Main Roads customer service centre.

South Australia (SA)

1. Seller: Complete the Disposal Notice on the registration certificate and give it to the buyer. Submit it online or at a Service SA centre.
2. Buyer: Complete the Application for Transfer of Registration and submit it within 14 days at a Service SA centre. Provide proof of identity and pay the transfer fee and stamp duty.

How to transfer ownership of a car in Western Australia (WA)

1. Seller: Complete the Seller’s Transfer of Vehicle Ownership form and give it to the buyer.
2. Buyer: Submit the Buyer’s Transfer of Vehicle Ownership form, proof of identity, and pay the transfer fee and duty at a Department of Transport centre or online.

Tasmania (TAS)

1. Seller: Complete the Disposal Notice on the registration certificate and give it to the buyer. Submit it to Service Tasmania.
2. Buyer: Submit the Application for Transfer of Registration, proof of identity, and pay the transfer fee and stamp duty at a Service Tasmania centre.

How to transfer ownership of a car in Northern Territory (NT)

1. Seller: Complete the Transfer of Ownership form and give it to the buyer.
2. Buyer: Submit the Transfer of Ownership form, proof of identity, and pay the transfer fee and duty at a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) office.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

1. Seller: Complete the Notice of Disposal form and give it to the buyer. Submit it online or at an Access Canberra service centre.
2. Buyer: Submit the Application to Transfer Registration, proof of identity, and pay the transfer fee and duty at an Access Canberra service centre.

Here is each jurisdiction’s vehicle rego page:

• ACT
• NSW
• NT
• QLD
• SA
• TAS
• VIC
• WA

Insure those wheels

Now you know How to transfer ownership of a car. Regardless of whether you get a new or used car, having insurance is the ultimate financial buffer in the case of damage, theft or a road incident.

With PD Insurance you’ll get the benefit of cost-effective award winning car insurance policies with a range of benefits. Plus, no matter what level of cover you choose, you can add 24/7 roadside assistance for all.

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