Vehicle price
The agreed price of the car and included factory or dealer items.
CAR BUYING, FULL COST
The costs between the price tag and the driveway
A car buyer may need to fund duty, registration, CTP, insurance and other charges as well as the vehicle. Understand each line before deciding the loan amount.
Start with the complete drive-away budget
The advertised price is only one line. Some charges are taxes, some are registration costs, some are insurance and some are optional dealer products. Combining them into one unexplained “drive-away” number makes it harder to compare cars and finance structures.
Request an itemised purchase order. Then decide what must be paid in cash, what the financier will consider and what should not be financed over several years.
Motor vehicle duty
A state or territory tax based on local dutiable-value and category rules.
Registration and transfer
Government registration, plate, transfer and administration charges.
CTP or equivalent
Compulsory motor-injury cover connected with registration; arrangements differ by state.
Comprehensive insurance
Separate vehicle-damage cover commonly required for secured finance.
Dealer and optional items
Delivery, warranties, accessories and protection products must be itemised.
INTERACTIVE BUDGET BUILDER
Build the complete drive-away requirement
Enter current government and insurance figures rather than relying on a generic national percentage. This is a budget tool, not a duty quote or finance approval.
PUT THE BUDGET INTO CONTEXT
Build the drive-away figure around a real car
Start with a current model price, then add the registration, duty, insurance and other costs that apply to the transaction.
HYBRID · MEDIUM SUV
Family commuting and weekends
Compare the current RAV4 variants, purchase-price references and repayment assumptions before choosing the amount to finance.
Explore RAV4
DIESEL · UTE
Work, towing and dual-purpose use
Compare Ranger cab, drivetrain and grade differences before carrying a vehicle price into the finance estimate.
Explore Ranger
ELECTRIC · MEDIUM SUV
Electric family SUV use
Compare Model Y seating, range, performance and current stored pricing before estimating the loan structure.
Explore Model YSOURCED EXPLAINERS
Eight costs and checks buyers commonly misunderstand
Car Stamp Duty in Australia
Check how Australian states and territories calculate vehicle stamp duty, when concessions may apply and where to find the official calculator.
Read the guide →Luxury Car Tax Explained
Learn how Australian luxury car tax works, what enters the LCT value, how the formula applies and why LCT can affect a car-finance structure.
Read the guide →CTP Insurance in Australia
Understand what compulsory third party insurance covers, what it does not cover, how state schemes differ and why comprehensive insurance still matters for finance.
Read the guide →Vehicle Registration and Transfer
Understand registration, ownership transfer, inspection and notification steps when buying a car in an Australian state or territory.
Read the guide →Comprehensive Insurance for a Financed Car
Learn why secured car lenders commonly require comprehensive insurance, what CTP does not cover and how a write-off can leave a loan shortfall.
Read the guide →Dealer Fees, Add-ons and Warranties
Separate the vehicle price from dealer delivery, accessories, protection products, warranties and finance-linked add-ons before signing.
Read the guide →Used-car Checks Before You Pay
Check seller identity, VIN, registration, PPSR, condition, value, recalls and transfer requirements before buying a used car.
Read the guide →Calculate the Complete Drive-away Cost
Build the complete Australian car-buying budget from vehicle price, duty, registration, insurance, dealer items, deposit and trade-in.
Read the guide →FINANCE CONNECTION
On-road costs can change the approval structure
Adding taxes and fees to the requested amount can increase the loan-to-value ratio even though the car itself has not become more valuable. A financier may approve a lower amount, require a contribution or treat particular costs differently.
Last reviewed 8 August 2026. General information only. Use the linked government authority for current tax, registration and scheme rules.