ACT · Motor vehicles · FY 2026-27
ACT car stamp duty calculator
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 every category roughly doubles on the excess. No other jurisdiction ties the transfer tax this tightly to the tailpipe.
Rates verified against the official sources — how we check.
Your tally
That's 3.00% of the price, on top of the sticker.
Duty only — rego transfer fees (typically $20–$50) are extra, and exemptions vary. Confirm with ACT Legislation Register before relying on it.
How ACT charges vehicle duty
Every new car sold in Australia carries a laboratory CO2 figure (grams per kilometre), and the ACT reads duty straight off it: seven categories, each with a rate below $45,000 and a higher rate on the excess above. The steps are marginal, so there is no cliff at $45,000 — but the spread between categories is enormous: on a $45,000 purchase, the difference between a zero-emissions AAA and a 221 g/km D is over $900 before the excess rates even start.
Used vehicles can't always produce an emissions rating, so a used petrol or diesel car defaults to the category-C rates, while a used EV 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 quirk to plan around: DI2026-154 raises the B, C, D and non-rated rates from 1 February 2027. This page carries the rates in force to 31 January 2027 and will be updated on the changeover — buying a thirsty car in the ACT is genuinely cheaper before February.
ACT motor vehicle duty (DI2025-152)
| Value / vehicle | Duty |
|---|---|
| Zero emissions (AAA) | 2.5% up to $45,000; $1,125 + 4% of the excess |
| Up to 65 g/km (AA) | 2.67% up to $45,000; then 4.41% on the excess |
| 66–130 g/km (A) | 2.84% up to $45,000; then 4.81% on the excess |
| 131–175 g/km (B) | 3% up to $45,000; then 5.22% on the excess |
| 176–220 g/km (C) | 3.17% up to $45,000; then 5.62% on the excess |
| Over 220 g/km (D) | 4.53% up to $45,000; then 7.81% on the excess |
| Used, non-rated | as category C; used EVs as AAA |
Marginal above $45,000 — only the excess pays the higher rate. B, C, D and non-rated rates rise on 1 February 2027 (DI2026-154).
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 | New EV (AAA) | New petrol (B) | Over 220 g/km (D) | Used (non-rated) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | $500 | $600 | $906 | $634 |
| $30,000 | $750 | $900 | $1,359 | $951 |
| $45,000 | $1,125 | $1,350 | $2,038.50 | $1,426.50 |
| $60,000 | $1,725 | $2,133 | $3,210 | $2,269.50 |
| $80,000 | $2,525 | $3,177 | $4,772 | $3,393.50 |
Every figure comes from the same tested engine as the calculator above — the published schedule, not a percentage approximation.
The same $40,000 car, everywhere else
| Jurisdiction | Duty at $40,000 | Typical case |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | $1,200 | passenger car |
| VIC | $1,680 | petrol passenger car |
| QLD | $1,200 | 1–4 cylinder car |
| WA | $2,000 | light vehicle |
| SA | $1,540 | passenger car |
| TAS | $1,600 | passenger car |
| ACT — this page | $1,200 | new category-B car |
| NT | $1,200 | any vehicle |
Exemptions in Australian Capital Territory
Spouse transfers, deceased estates and some veteran/charity vehicles are exempt. Non-motorised caravans and trailers carry no duty.
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. B, C, D and non-rated rates rise 1 February 2027 under DI2026-154 — this page shows the schedule in force to 31 January 2027. General information only — not financial or tax advice.