How registration is calculated

In Queensland, vehicle registration fees for light motor vehicles are currently charged according to the number of cylinders a vehicle has. Cylinders are then grouped together based on similar power-to-weight ratios. The groups are 1 to 3 (including electric), 4, 5 to 6, 7 to 8 and 9 to 12 cylinders.

Vehicle registration fees are made up of 3 components:

• The vehicle registration fee: provides essential funding towards the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program, for transport infrastructure and maintenance.
• The traffic improvement fee: is a non-refundable fee collected by the Department of Transport and Main Roads for the construction and maintenance of the state’s road network.
• Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance: protects motor vehicle owners and drivers from being held financially responsible if they cause injury to someone else in a motor vehicle accident. CTP insurance premiums are collected with registration but are regulated by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission who reviews them quarterly. Find more information about CTP insurance.

Annual Indexation

In Queensland, most fees and charges are increased annually in accordance with the Government Indexation Rate (GIR). For the 2026–27 financial year, the GIR is 3.4% and was applied on 1 July 2026.

Heavy vehicle registration fees are nationally regulated. On 1 July 2026, both the road use and regulatory components of heavy vehicle fees increased by 3%.

How Queensland compares to other states and territories

Each state or territory decides how to charge registration for light vehicles. Queensland’s cylinder-based approach is consistent with South Australia and Tasmania. In New South Wales, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, light vehicle registration fees are based on a vehicle’s tare weight or emissions, while the Northern Territory bases registration fees on the engine capacity or of a vehicle. Victoria charges a flat fee for all light vehicles.

It is important to note that some jurisdictions require annual mandatory safety inspections for vehicles that are more than 5 years old, before they can be registered. This requirement increases the annual cost of registration, on top of the costs outlined in the following tables. There are no mandatory annual safety inspections for private light vehicles in Queensland.