About the WA Car Stamp Duty Calculator
In Western Australia, car stamp duty is called vehicle licence duty. It is charged when a vehicle is licensed for the first time or the licence is transferred to a new owner, and it is collected by the Department of Transport for RevenueWA. WA’s formula is unusual: the rate itself rises smoothly between $25,000 and $50,000, and it applies to the whole value of the car.
How to use the WA Car Stamp Duty Calculator
- Enter the price or market value of the car, whichever is higher, including GST.
- Read the duty and the rate that was applied to the whole value.
- Add the licence (registration) fee, motor injury insurance and the transfer fee separately.
The formula behind it
How much is stamp duty on a car in WA?
Cars up to $25,000 pay 2.75% — $550 on a $20,000 car. Between $25,000 and $50,000 the rate climbs from 2.75% to 6.5%, so a $30,000 car pays $1,050 (3.50%) and a $40,000 car $2,000 (5.00%). Above $50,000 every car pays 6.5% of its full value: $3,900 on $60,000.
How the WA sliding rate works
For a dutiable value between $25,000 and $50,000, the rate R is 2.75 plus the amount over $25,000 divided by 6,666.66, rounded to two decimal places. The duty is then R% of the whole value. Each extra $6,666 of value adds one percentage point, so the rate reaches exactly 6.5% at $50,000.
Example: a $35,000 car. R = 2.75 + (10,000 ÷ 6,666.66) = 4.25. Duty = 4.25% × $35,000 = $1,488.
WA car stamp duty at common prices
Light passenger vehicles, new or used:
| Dutiable value | Rate applied | Stamp duty |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | 2.75% | $275 |
| $20,000 | 2.75% | $550 |
| $25,000 | 2.75% | $688 |
| $30,000 | 3.50% | $1,050 |
| $35,000 | 4.25% | $1,488 |
| $40,000 | 5.00% | $2,000 |
| $45,000 | 5.75% | $2,588 |
| $50,000 | 6.50% | $3,250 |
| $60,000 | 6.50% | $3,900 |
| $80,000 | 6.50% | $5,200 |
| $100,000 | 6.50% | $6,500 |
Why WA duty is high on mid-priced cars
Because the rate rises with the value and applies to the whole price, WA is the most expensive state for cars between roughly $30,000 and $100,000. On a $50,000 car WA charges $3,250, against $1,600 in NSW and $1,500 in Queensland. Below $25,000 it is the cheapest state.
Dutiable value, used cars and when duty is paid
Duty is charged on the dutiable value — the price paid or the market value, whichever is higher. RevenueWA can reassess the duty if the declared value of a used car is too low. Duty is paid to the Department of Transport when the vehicle licence is granted or 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.
Utes, vans, heavy vehicles and electric cars
This calculator covers light passenger vehicles. Some non-passenger light vehicles and heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes use different rates, and WA has offered duty concessions for some new electric vehicles. Check RevenueWA or the Department of Transport for those cases.
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
$20,000 used car
2.75% × $20,000 = $550.
$40,000 car
R = 2.75 + 15,000 ÷ 6,666.66 = 5.00. Duty = $2,000.
$70,000 SUV
6.5% × $70,000 = $4,550.
Frequently asked questions
How much is stamp duty on a car in WA?
2.75% up to $25,000, a rate rising from 2.75% to 6.5% between $25,000 and $50,000, and 6.5% above $50,000, always on the whole value. For example $1,050 on a $30,000 car.
How much is stamp duty on a $50,000 car in WA?
$3,250 — 6.5% of $50,000.
How much is stamp duty on a $35,000 car in WA?
$1,488. The rate is 2.75 + (10,000 ÷ 6,666.66) = 4.25%.
What is vehicle licence duty?
It is the WA name for car stamp duty — a state tax paid when a vehicle is licensed or its licence is transferred to a new owner.
Do I pay stamp duty on a used car in WA?
Yes. Duty is payable on the transfer of a used car’s licence, based on the higher of the price and the market value.
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.