How can Foreigners purchase and register a vehicle in Australia

Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 11:12
ThreadID: 104551 Views:9351 Replies:8 FollowUps:15
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Hi Guys - firstly, great site packed full of useful and interesting info.
My query concerns how can foreigners (Kiwis) come to your great country, buy a Camper Van or Motor home and do the big lap of Aussie. Specifically how do we register it in our own names when we are required to present proof of a garage address. Also how would we go about getting insurance as well. I'm sure that there will be a large percentage of foreigners amongst the estimated 100,000 people doing the big lap every year and not all of them have family living in Aussie who they can use as an address. We would like the option of leaving it in Aussie after we have finished so other members of the family could come over and enjoy your wonderful country as well. Looking forward to any help anyone can give us.
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Reply By: John and Regina M - Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 11:24

Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 11:24
Simbob
Bad nights sleep? What is the point of yr reply?
AnswerID: 518992

Follow Up By: ModSquad - Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 12:14

Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 12:14
John or Regina,

it was quite obvious to anybody who read it that simbob was simply adding some clarification and context to his question, context that the squad has now added to the original post.

If you don't have anything of value to add, perhaps you should refrain from posting. - happy to discuss further via the modsquad email address.

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Simbob,

as requested we've tidied up the original question for you. As an aside to your question, the registration requirements can be very different in each state so you may find that a check of the various state road authority’s websites will provide some information for you.

Also, the local automobile associations’ websites would be a good source of information - RACV in Victoria, RAA in SA, RACQ in QLD, NRMA in NSW.

Good luck and enjoy the holiday when it comes about.

The squad
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Follow Up By: garrycol - Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 13:01

Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 13:01
I guess John and Regina are the ones lacking sleep
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Follow Up By: Simbob - Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 17:57

Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 17:57
Hi to The Squad. Nice to know someone has your back on these forums, especially when you are a new-bie. I'll follow your advice and look in the state specific websites for more info. Cheers
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Follow Up By: blown4by - Sunday, Oct 13, 2013 at 00:00

Sunday, Oct 13, 2013 at 00:00
In WA you just need a caravan park address, proof of ownership (I.e. transfer papers signed by the registered owner or bill of sale or legitimate invoice), proof of ID (a drivers license) Compulsory Third Party (medical expenses) cover is provided automatically as part of the license fee. For comprehensive (accident damage) insurance any insurance Company would love to take your money provided you meet their criteria as an acceptable risk.
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Reply By: allein m - Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 12:48

Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 12:48
I did some research for some one the other day that might help you

if you are a member of AA Membership or some thing similar you may be covered here in Australia if you are a member of AA in NZ ask them if they are affiliated with any Australian road service


so that is some thing that you will need when traveling around Australia
AnswerID: 519000

Follow Up By: Simbob - Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 17:59

Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 17:59
I am an AA member in in NZ so will follow that up - Thanks
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Follow Up By: allein m - Wednesday, Oct 02, 2013 at 12:00

Wednesday, Oct 02, 2013 at 12:00
as you know distances between some towns are massive so you need a top cover with Maxim towing

most services in australia offer 3 levels of cover basic for city people medium for country people and for those who travel a lot and can afford it have top cover

each state has a road service and each are different

if are covered you may also be able to get the car you purchase inspected by local road service people

it all boils down to less stress for you and a you get on and enjoy your time here in Australia .


some more research for you
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Follow Up By: Simbob - Wednesday, Oct 02, 2013 at 18:02

Wednesday, Oct 02, 2013 at 18:02
Thanks for that allein m - appreciate it
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Reply By: Mick O - Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 13:03

Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 13:03
Bob, I was interested to know this myself so I trolled the local roads Authority website and there was absolutely zip about foreign nationals registering vehicles. Mind you I did couch that in terms of being a fellow member of the Commonwealth. If I read the registration forms correctly, you really only need proof of your residential address be it local or O/S. Yep, a singular lack of info so I have fired them off a question online. I'll let you know the result.

Cheers Mick
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trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
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AnswerID: 519001

Follow Up By: Mick O - Sunday, Oct 13, 2013 at 10:58

Sunday, Oct 13, 2013 at 10:58
Bob,

VicRoads rang me back on Friday. It is much easier if you can provide a garaging address in Australia if you intend keeping the vehicle for future holidays. If it is not possible to provide an Australian address, you will need suitable proof of actual residence in NZ, so as well as the 100 points stuff (Passport Licence etc), you would need to provide current bills or similar in your name and at that address. The Registrar will make an individual decision based on your case and the information you provide.

Finding an Aussie friend or family member is going to be the easiest way.

Cheers Mick
''We knew from the experience of well-known travelers that the
trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
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Reply By: Ron N - Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 20:34

Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 20:34
Simbob - Put your question to the registration authority in the State in which you plan to purchase the vehicle.
If you can't find that authority, let us know the State you're intending to start from, and we will point you in the right direction.

Each States registration authority has different rules, regulations and requirements - as each State has its own Road Traffic Act or equivalent - this despite all of Australias major road laws, signage, etc, being standardised.

Cheers - R.
AnswerID: 519037

Follow Up By: Simbob - Wednesday, Oct 02, 2013 at 18:05

Wednesday, Oct 02, 2013 at 18:05
Hi Ron N - will probably start in either NSW or Queensland, so I'll contact them both and see how we get on.
Cheers - Simbob
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Oct 02, 2013 at 18:03

Wednesday, Oct 02, 2013 at 18:03
Depends on which state. Having recently experienced the rego departments in Qld, NSW, Victoria and SA, I'd lean towards SA as having the simplest system. I'd expect that you'd need an address for the rego (and the speeding fines!) but maybe that can be your accommodation. As said above you need to phone up and ask. I just got my rego renewal for the V8 200series and its been decreased to $833 for the year (includes 3rd party personal insurance). SA had a 20% reduction in compulsory 3rd party premiums from July 1 so I'd be surprised if it didn't have the cheapest rego at the moment. You won't need inspections to re-register sell the car either if selling in SA. RAA is good value for comprehensive vehicle insurance as well.
AnswerID: 519071

Follow Up By: Ron N - Wednesday, Oct 02, 2013 at 18:41

Wednesday, Oct 02, 2013 at 18:41
Phil - Feedback from the International backpackers seems to be that they prefer W.A. registration, as it's the simplest rego process, it's been the cheapest rego and insurance, and there's no annual checks or pink slips.

Did S.A. reduce it's rego fees as well? W.A. insurance is not "no-fault" insurance, unlike most of the Eastern States - meaning its cheaper - but in the event of injury you need to prove fault in court - which can mean an expensive and persistance-sapping effort to get what you should be entitled to.

N.S.W. also appears to now have the lowest stamp duty costs, Australia-wide - quite a change from when QLD used to have far lower SD charges.
I'm looking at a new Forester for SWMBO, and I can't get over how the going rate for a "drive-away-no-more-to-pay" new Forester, is around $2000 less in NSW than it is in W.A. I think we'll be taking a NSW holiday and coming back with a new set of wheels!
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Oct 02, 2013 at 19:44

Wednesday, Oct 02, 2013 at 19:44
Gday Ron,
Yeah the 20% reduction in 3rd party is recent - from July 1 - and is because SA has also become "no-fault". We also have no annual checks or the pink slips to line the pockets of the motor traders.
I doubt they have decreased rego charges.
On my 200series renewal for 12 mths with no ITC entitlement:
Registration charge $334.00
Admin fee $7.00
Emerg Services Levy: $24.00
S/Duty on ins policy: $60.00
CTP Ins Premium ex GST: $374.59
GST on CTP Ins Prem: $33.41
Total $833.00

Not a lot of competition with Subaru in SA - so not sure what deal you might get here. Quick search on carsales shows the base 2.5L Forester prices to be $32,990 in NSW, WA and SA!!!!!

Cheers
Phil
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Follow Up By: Ron N - Wednesday, Oct 02, 2013 at 20:26

Wednesday, Oct 02, 2013 at 20:26
G'day Phil - Yes, that $32990 is the Subaru base price - but that doesn't include dealer delivery charge, rego, or stamp duty. The end result with the DANMTP price is quite different from State to State!
I'm getting numerous $32,990 drive away prices for the 2.5i auto around Western Sydney - and they're open to offers on that price.
The W.A. dealers seem to think every potential buyer works in the mines and adjusts their asking price accordingly!

Cheers - Ron.
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FollowupID: 799069

Reply By: Lyn W3 - Thursday, Oct 03, 2013 at 09:53

Thursday, Oct 03, 2013 at 09:53
Simbob,

Here are the forms you have to fill out if you wish to register a car in Queensland.

Documents required

Application form

AnswerID: 519091

Follow Up By: Simbob - Thursday, Oct 03, 2013 at 14:11

Thursday, Oct 03, 2013 at 14:11
Hi Lyn W3 - they look like what we need. Thanks - simbob
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Reply By: allein m - Thursday, Oct 03, 2013 at 12:01

Thursday, Oct 03, 2013 at 12:01
I have made a post about this before but it would be nice to have a Australian license and rego with each state being the same cost for rego and insurance


it is a total dog breakfast at present

but sadly this will never happen as the state governments will never agree to this

there are so many people traveling and working all over the place and places like broken hill which is NSW rego we have a lot of SA registered cars or Victoria rego people have friends who live out side of NSW where they use there address now that is illegal but people still do that to save money.

if you decide to stay in one area for one or two months you are supposed to re register the car in that state crazy


How does registration in NZ compare is north island and south the same registration authority ?? all over NZ
AnswerID: 519096

Follow Up By: Simbob - Thursday, Oct 03, 2013 at 14:07

Thursday, Oct 03, 2013 at 14:07
allein m - Thanks for the info...does sound confusing with each state having different rules but then again Australia is one hell of a big country.
Re NZ costs for rego - same price both island & only one authority.
I contacted travelwheels.com.au re buying and registering vehicles as this is what they do for foreigners coming to Aus and driving around - here is their reply:
No worries about registering a campervan into your name, you can simply use the address from the hotel/hostel where you are staying after your arrival (one night is sufficient!). Most of our customers are travellers from overseas who don't have a residential address and we are specialised in selling vehicles to visitors to Australia.
You only have to ask the accommodation place for an invoice which has to have your name on it as well as the name of the place, the date you stayed there as well as a signature of their staff.

Then you can take this invoice to a local RTA office together with the following documents in order to transfer the vehicle into your name:
• International Drivers Licence
• Passport
• Proof of Residence/ Hotel or Hostel Address in Australia (written document with your name, name of hotel/hostel, signature as well as receipt of time spent in hotel/hostel)
• Form 8 from Travelwheels
• Form „Transfer of Registration“ (displayed in the RTA Office)
Also in regard to an additional third party property insurance we will help you and can arrange the car insurance for you (we normally recommend AAMI but in case you have any other preferences we are happy to arrange your favorite car insurance too) and you can also use the address of your accommodation for this.
Cheers - Simbob
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FollowupID: 799115

Reply By: allein m - Thursday, Oct 03, 2013 at 15:20

Thursday, Oct 03, 2013 at 15:20
sounds good i have a old car and not worth insuring for full insurance but I do have 3rd party insurance that covers the other driver i have to pay the first $300 like most insurance companies

but that is the price is better than being sued for thousands from another motorist

again like road service it is peace of mind and less for you to worry about on your trip

most hire companies also offer car insurance

as I said australian registration of vehicles if like a dogs breakfast confusing and every state is different in some ways

the other day some one on this form got books for having one of the light bars on his roo bar in WA he was told to put some tape on the middle but other stats are legal


if you do your home work correct like you are doing it will be a much better holiday

I live in broken Hill so if your out this way and need any thing just ask ok if I can help i will

AnswerID: 519106

Follow Up By: blown4by - Saturday, Oct 12, 2013 at 23:52

Saturday, Oct 12, 2013 at 23:52
Whilst nothing to do with the original question, in WA putting tape in the centre of a single LED light bar does not make it legal. ADR13 states that driving lamps must be fitted in pairs, be symmetrical and number 2 or 4 therefore 1 light bar with one wiring harness can neither = 2 or 4 lamps or be a pair nor can it be mounted symmetrically hence why single light bars are not allowed in WA. A Google search reveals the tape in the middle practice is accepted in QLD.
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