On a new $50,000 petrol car, Queensland and the NT charge the least stamp duty ($1,500) and WA charges the most ($3,250). NSW comes to $1,600, Victoria $2,100, SA $1,940, Tasmania $2,000 and the ACT $1,707.50 for a C-rated car.
The cheapest state changes with the price: WA is cheapest under $25,000, and the NT is cheapest above $100,000.
Stamp duty on the same new car in every state
This table runs the same new petrol car (4 cylinders, for Queensland) through each state's 2026-27 rules. For the ACT we've used a C-rated car (176 to 220 g/km of CO2), which pays the ACT's standard rate. The lowest figure in each row is in bold.
| Car price | NSW | Vic | Qld | WA | SA | Tas | ACT | NT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | $600 | $840 | $600 | $550 | $740 | $600 | $634 | $600 |
| $30,000 | $900 | $1,260 | $900 | $1,050 | $1,140 | $900 | $951 | $900 |
| $40,000 | $1,200 | $1,680 | $1,200 | $2,000 | $1,540 | $1,600 | $1,268 | $1,200 |
| $50,000 | $1,600 | $2,100 | $1,500 | $3,250 | $1,940 | $2,000 | $1,707.50 | $1,500 |
| $60,000 | $2,100 | $2,520 | $1,800 | $3,900 | $2,340 | $2,400 | $2,269.50 | $1,800 |
| $80,000 | $3,100 | $3,360 | $2,400 | $5,200 | $3,140 | $3,200 | $3,393.50 | $2,400 |
| $100,000 | $4,100 | $5,200 | $3,000 | $6,500 | $3,940 | $4,000 | $4,993.50 | $3,000 |
| $120,000 | $5,100 | $8,400 | $6,000 | $7,800 | $4,740 | $4,800 | $6,593.50 | $3,600 |
Figures are worked out from each state's published rates for light passenger vehicles, rounded the way each state rounds ("per $100 or part" means a part block counts as a full one).
Which state is cheapest depends on the price
- Under $25,000: WA is cheapest, because it charges a flat 2.75%. A $20,000 car costs $550 in WA against $840 in Victoria.
- $30,000 to $100,000: Queensland and the NT are cheapest or equal cheapest. They both charge $3 per $100 for a 4 cylinder car, and NSW matches them up to $45,000.
- Over $100,000: the NT is cheapest on its own. Queensland's rate jumps on the whole value once the car passes $100,000.
- The most expensive: WA from about $40,000 up to $100,000, because its rate climbs from 2.75% to 6.5% between $25,000 and $50,000. Above $100,000 Victoria takes over, with $14 per $200 (7%) on cars up to $150,000.
Worked example: a $50,000 car in WA and NSW
Western Australia
At $50,000 the WA rate is R = 2.75 + (50,000 - 25,000) / 6,666.66 = 6.50 (rounded to 2 decimal places). Duty is 6.5% x $50,000 = $3,250.
New South Wales
The car is over $45,000, so duty is $1,350 plus $5 for each $100 or part over $45,000. The excess is $5,000, or 50 blocks. $1,350 + (50 x $5) = $1,600.
Same car, same price, and a WA buyer pays $1,650 more duty than a NSW buyer.
Price points where duty jumps
A few states apply a higher rate to the whole value once a car crosses a threshold, so a small change in price can mean a big change in duty. These are worth knowing when you're negotiating or choosing options.
| State | Threshold | Just under | Just over |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qld (4 cylinder) | $100,000. The rate goes from $3 to $5 per $100 on the whole value. | $100,000: $3,000 | $100,100: $5,005 |
| Qld (hybrid or electric) | $100,000. The rate goes from $2 to $4 per $100 on the whole value. | $100,000: $2,000 | $100,100: $4,004 |
| Vic | $80,809 in 2026-27. The rate goes from $8.40 to $10.40 per $200 on the whole value (not for low emission cars). | $80,809: $3,402 | $80,810: $4,212 |
| WA | No single cliff, but between $25,000 and $50,000 the rate rises on the whole value as the price rises. | $25,000: $687.50 | $50,000: $3,250 |
| Tas | Between $35,000 and $40,000 you pay $11 per $100 on the slice above $35,000, then $4 per $100 on the whole value. | $35,000: $1,050 | $40,000: $1,600 |
In Queensland, an extra $100 on the price at $100,000 adds $2,005 to the duty on a petrol car. In Victoria, $1 over the threshold adds $810.
Victoria's threshold follows the ATO's luxury car tax threshold for other vehicles, which is $80,809 for 2026-27. When we checked, the VicRoads page still showed the 2025-26 figure of $80,567.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the cheapest car stamp duty?
It depends on the price. For a new petrol car between about $30,000 and $100,000, Queensland and the NT charge the least, at $3 per $100. Under $25,000, WA is cheapest at 2.75%. Over $100,000, the NT is cheapest.
Which state has the most expensive car stamp duty?
WA, for most cars between about $40,000 and $100,000, because its rate reaches 6.5% at $50,000. A $50,000 car costs $3,250 in duty in WA. Above $100,000, Victoria is dearest, at $14 per $200 on the whole value up to $150,000.
Can I register my car in a cheaper state to save on duty?
Not in practice. Duty is paid in the state or territory where the car is registered, and you register it at the address where you live. Buying interstate doesn't change which state's duty you pay.
Is stamp duty worked out on the price including GST?
Generally yes. The value used for duty is usually the price including GST, options and any luxury car tax. For a used car, NSW and Victoria use the purchase price or market value, whichever is higher.
Do electric cars pay less?
In Queensland, Victoria (above the luxury threshold), the ACT and the NT, yes. See stamp duty on electric cars by state for the figures.
Work out your own figure
Enter your car's price and state in the on-road costs calculator to get the duty, then add rego, CTP and dealer delivery for a drive-away estimate.
Related guides
Sources and last checked
Every rate on this page was checked against these official sources on 28 October 2026. Duty rates usually change on 1 July, so confirm with your state before you buy.
- Service NSW: check motor vehicle stamp duty
- VicRoads: motor vehicle duty
- State Revenue Office Victoria: motor vehicle duty current rates
- Queensland Government: vehicle registration duty rates
- WA Government: vehicle licence duty
- RevenueSA: stamp duty on vehicles, rates
- State Revenue Office Tasmania: rates of duty
- ACT Revenue Office: motor vehicle duty (rates from 1 September 2025)
- Territory Revenue Office: stamp duty on motor vehicles
- ATO: luxury car tax rate and thresholds (2026-27)
These are estimates for light passenger vehicles based on published rates. They aren't financial advice. Your state's revenue office or registration authority decides the duty you pay. Commercial and heavy vehicles, fleet discounts and exemptions use different rules.