About the QLD Car Stamp Duty Calculator
Queensland charges vehicle registration duty — usually called car stamp duty — when a car is registered for the first time or the registration is transferred to a new owner. Unlike most states, Queensland sets the rate by the engine: hybrids and electric cars pay the least, cars with seven or more cylinders the most. This calculator applies the Queensland Government rates for light vehicles.
How to use the QLD Car Stamp Duty Calculator
- Enter the price or market value of the car, whichever is higher. For a new car include GST and dealer delivery.
- Choose the engine type: hybrid or electric, 1–4 cylinders, 5–6 cylinders, or 7 or more.
- Read the duty and the working. Registration, CTP and plates are extra.
The formula behind it
How much is stamp duty on a car in QLD?
For a typical four-cylinder car, Queensland duty is $3 for every $100 (or part of $100) of the value: $600 on a $20,000 car, $900 on $30,000, $1,500 on $50,000 and $2,400 on $80,000. A hybrid or electric car at the same price pays one third less — $600 on $30,000.
Queensland duty rates by engine type
Light vehicles, new or used. The rate is per $100 or part of $100 of the whole dutiable value:
- Hybrid (any number of cylinders) or electric: $2 up to $100,000; $4 above $100,000.
- 1 to 4 cylinders, 2 rotors or steam: $3 up to $100,000; $5 above $100,000.
- 5 or 6 cylinders, 3 rotors: $3.50 up to $100,000; $5.50 above $100,000.
- 7 or more cylinders: $4 up to $100,000; $6 above $100,000.
QLD car stamp duty at common prices
Duty on the same car value for each engine type:
| Dutiable value | Hybrid / electric | 1–4 cylinders | 5–6 cylinders | 7+ cylinders |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | $400 | $600 | $700 | $800 |
| $30,000 | $600 | $900 | $1,050 | $1,200 |
| $40,000 | $800 | $1,200 | $1,400 | $1,600 |
| $50,000 | $1,000 | $1,500 | $1,750 | $2,000 |
| $60,000 | $1,200 | $1,800 | $2,100 | $2,400 |
| $80,000 | $1,600 | $2,400 | $2,800 | $3,200 |
| $100,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $3,500 | $4,000 |
| $120,000 | $4,800 | $6,000 | $6,600 | $7,200 |
| $150,000 | $6,000 | $7,500 | $8,250 | $9,000 |
The $100,000 step
Once the value is over $100,000, the higher rate applies to the whole value, not just the part above $100,000. A four-cylinder car valued at exactly $100,000 pays $3,000; at $100,100 it pays $5,005. If you are negotiating a car close to $100,000, that step is worth knowing.
Dutiable value and when duty is paid
Duty is worked out on the dutiable value: for a new car, the GST-inclusive price; for a used car, the higher of the price paid and the market value. Trade-ins do not reduce it. Dealers collect duty as part of the drive-away price. For a private sale, the buyer pays it when the registration is transferred.
Stamp duty is separate from registration, compulsory third party (CTP) insurance, number plates and transfer fees. A dealer’s drive-away price usually includes all of them; a private sale does not, so budget for duty on top of the price.
Exemptions
Some transfers are exempt, such as certain transfers between spouses, vehicles from a deceased estate and some vehicles modified for people with a disability. Check the Queensland Government exemptions page before you transfer; this calculator assumes full duty is payable.
Car stamp duty in other states
Every state and territory uses its own formula, so the same car can cost hundreds of dollars more or less in duty depending on where it is registered. Duty is set by where the car is garaged and registered, not where you buy it. Compare all states side by side in the Australian car stamp duty calculator.
Examples
$30,000 four-cylinder car
300 blocks × $3 = $900.
$45,000 hybrid SUV
450 blocks × $2 = $900.
$120,000 V8
1,200 blocks × $6 = $7,200 (the over-$100,000 rate applies to the whole value).
Frequently asked questions
How much is stamp duty on a car in QLD?
For a 1–4 cylinder car it is $3 per $100 of the value up to $100,000 — for example $900 on a $30,000 car. Hybrids and EVs pay $2 per $100, 5–6 cylinder cars $3.50 and 7+ cylinder cars $4.
How much is stamp duty on a $40,000 car in QLD?
$1,200 for a 1–4 cylinder car, $800 for a hybrid or electric car, $1,400 for 5–6 cylinders and $1,600 for 7 or more.
Do electric cars pay less stamp duty in Queensland?
Yes. Electric and hybrid cars pay $2 per $100 up to $100,000 and $4 per $100 above it — the lowest rates in Queensland.
Is stamp duty charged on used cars in QLD?
Yes. Duty is payable when the registration of a used car is transferred to you, on the higher of the price paid and the market value.
Does the higher rate over $100,000 apply to the whole price?
Yes. Once the dutiable value is over $100,000, the higher rate applies to every $100 of the value.
Is stamp duty included in a QLD drive-away price?
Usually yes. Dealer drive-away prices normally include duty, registration and CTP. Private sales do not.
Sources
About the author: Ahmed Bilal
Ahmed Bilal is the founder of VolexTool and builds and maintains every calculator on the site. Tax rates and thresholds are taken directly from official sources such as GOV.UK, HMRC, the Canada Revenue Agency and the Australian Taxation Office, the formula is shown on every page, and each update must pass more than 600 automated checks before it goes live. Ahmed is not a tax adviser: for decisions about your own situation, speak to a qualified accountant or financial adviser.