ACT · Motor vehicles · FY 2026-27
ACT car stamp duty calculator
ACT stamp duty for your car by emissions: 2.5% for a zero-emissions car to 4.53% for the highest emitters, more on any part above $45,000.
FY 2026-27 rates · verified against the official sources.
Your tally
Stamp duty
$900
On a $30,000 new category-B car in the ACT: 3% of the price.
How it’s worked out
$3 for every $100 (or part) of $30,000
Duty only. The yearly registration is a separate bill, which the rego calculator works out, and exemptions vary. Confirm with ACT Legislation Register before relying on it.
How ACT charges vehicle duty
The ACT prices duty by CO2 per kilometre: a zero-emissions car pays 2.5%, a thirsty V8 pays 4.53% — and above $45,000 each category's rate on the excess is 1.6 to 1.77 times its base rate, with everything over $80,000 charged 8%. No other jurisdiction ties the transfer tax this tightly to the tailpipe.
The ACT reads duty off a new car’s combined tailpipe CO2 figure (grams per kilometre, listed in the federal Green Vehicle Guide): six categories from AAA to D, each with a rate below $45,000, a higher rate on the excess to $80,000, and 8% on anything above that. The steps are marginal, so there is no cliff at either boundary — but the spread between categories is enormous: on a $45,000 purchase, a 221 g/km category-D car pays $913.50 more than a zero-emissions AAA before the excess rates even start.
Ordinary used vehicles are charged as 'non-rated' — the ACT's category for a vehicle with no emissions figure — whose rates are the same as category C's, while a used battery-electric or hydrogen vehicle keeps the AAA schedule. The full duty exemption for new EVs ended on 31 August 2025 — they now pay the (still lowest) AAA rate.
A dated change to plan around: DI2026-154 brings in new rates from 1 February 2027 — higher ones for new category B, C, D and non-rated vehicles, and from then every used vehicle other than a battery-electric or hydrogen one pays the higher non-rated rate. Duty is worked out on the date the vehicle is registered, so for those vehicles the registration date, not the contract, decides which schedule applies. This page carries the rates in force to 31 January 2027.
ACT motor vehicle duty (DI2025-152)
| Value / vehicle | Duty |
|---|---|
| Zero emissions (AAA) | 2.5% up to $45,000; then $1,125 + 4% of the excess, to $80,000 |
| Up to 65 g/km (AA) | 2.67% up to $45,000; then $1,201.50 + 4.41% of the excess, to $80,000 |
| 66–130 g/km (A) | 2.84% up to $45,000; then $1,278 + 4.81% of the excess, to $80,000 |
| 131–175 g/km (B) | 3% up to $45,000; then $1,350 + 5.22% of the excess, to $80,000 |
| 176–220 g/km (C) | 3.17% up to $45,000; then $1,426.50 + 5.62% of the excess, to $80,000 |
| Over 220 g/km (D) | 4.53% up to $45,000; then $2,038.50 + 7.81% of the excess, to $80,000 |
| Over $80,000 — every category | the category’s duty at $80,000 + 8% of the excess: AAA $2,525, AA $2,745, A $2,961.50, B $3,177, C $3,393.50, D $4,772 |
| Used, non-rated | the same rates as category C; a used battery-electric or hydrogen vehicle pays the AAA rates |
Marginal at both boundaries — only the excess pays the higher rate, charged per $100 or part. New rates apply from 1 February 2027 for new category B, C, D and non-rated vehicles (DI2026-154), and used hybrids and plug-in hybrids lose their separate line and pay the non-rated rate.
Worked examples
- $35,000 new EV: $875 of duty. AAA — the cheapest schedule in the territory.
- $35,000 typical petrol car: $1,050 of duty. Category B — the everyday case.
- $60,000 V8: $3,210 of duty. Category D, with the excess above $45,000 at 7.81%.
ACT duty at a glance
| Price | Duty |
|---|---|
| $20,000 | $500 |
| $30,000 | $750 |
| $45,000 | $1,125 |
| $60,000 | $1,725 |
| $80,000 | $2,525 |
| Price | Duty |
|---|---|
| $20,000 | $600 |
| $30,000 | $900 |
| $45,000 | $1,350 |
| $60,000 | $2,133 |
| $80,000 | $3,177 |
| Price | Duty |
|---|---|
| $20,000 | $906 |
| $30,000 | $1,359 |
| $45,000 | $2,038.50 |
| $60,000 | $3,210 |
| $80,000 | $4,772 |
| Price | Duty |
|---|---|
| $20,000 | $634 |
| $30,000 | $951 |
| $45,000 | $1,426.50 |
| $60,000 | $2,269.50 |
| $80,000 | $3,393.50 |
Every figure comes from the same tested engine as the calculator above — the published schedule, not a percentage approximation.
Your $30,000 car in all eight states
ACT ties at #1 of 8 at this price, where #1 is the cheapest.
| State | Stamp duty |
|---|---|
| NSW lowest passenger car | $900 |
| QLD lowest 1–4 cylinder car | $900 |
| TAS lowest passenger car | $900 |
| ACT (this page) lowest new category-B car | $900 |
| NT lowest petrol, diesel or hybrid vehicle | $900 |
| WA light vehicle | $1,050 |
| SA passenger car | $1,140 |
| VIC highest petrol or diesel passenger car | $1,260 |
The other states are shown on their everyday petrol passenger car, with Queensland at 1–4 cylinders and the ACT as a new category-B car.
Exemptions in Australian Capital Territory
Non-motorised caravans and camper trailers carry no duty. You can apply for an exemption for a vehicle passing to a deceased person’s successor, a transfer under certain personal relationships, a repossessed vehicle, a veteran, vintage or historic vehicle on VVH plates, or one owned by a charity, among a short list of others.
Frequently asked questions
How is ACT car duty calculated?
Do EVs still get free stamp duty in the ACT?
What changes on 1 February 2027?
What category is a used car in the ACT?
Keep tallying
Sources
- ACT Legislation Register — Motor Vehicle Duty Determination (DI2025-152)
- ACT Revenue Office — Motor vehicle duty
Rates last verified 2026-08-28 for FY 2026-27. New rates apply from 1 February 2027 under DI2026-154 for new category B, C, D and non-rated vehicles, which then include every used hybrid and plug-in hybrid — this page shows the schedule in force to 31 January 2027. General information only — not financial or tax advice.