Everything you need to know about caravan registration

Do you need to register a caravan in Australia? Yes, bloody oath, of course you do. But the processes you have to undertake, the volume of paperwork you have to get through and the fees you have to pay to register a caravan, camper-trailer, or trailer depend on the state or territory in which you’re registering it.

And caravan registration cost varies a bit between states and territories as well.

Don’t forget: you’ll have to pay insurance where applicable.

Also, if you’re about to tow a trailer interstate, make sure you’re in the know with your destination state/territory rules around transferring registration and the cost of transferring registration.

Want to know more about caravan registration? Yes, bloody oath, of course you do.

Well, read on because here’s our state-by-state/territory guide to registering your caravan.

ACT

If you’re registering a caravan in the Australian Capital Territory, you’ll need to prepare yourself to tackle a stack of questions online (or, if you’re old school, a stack of paperwork), and also get ready to crack open that cash receptacle of yours (your wallet) and unleash a few bucks. 

The good news is that most registration-related services for private-use vehicles can be accomplished online: I’m talking about the renewal or transferral of an ACT registration, or the cancellation of a registration for your motor vehicle, heavy vehicle, trailer or caravan.

That means, you don’t have to schlep into an Access Canberra Service Centre, unless you need to actually collect a set of ACT plates for your vehicle.

Be aware though that you’re only eligible for online processing if your vehicle/trailer/caravan is already registered in the ACT; if you’re transferring registration in the ACT; if your vehicle/trailer/caravan has been unregistered for more than 12 months; and if your vehicle/trailer/caravan is being disposed of in the ACT.

If you’re registering a caravan in the Australian Capital Territory, you’ll need to prepare yourself to tackle a stack of questions online.

Note: If you’re registering the vehicle/trailer/caravan for the first time in the ACT you will need to get an in-person vehicle inspection.

And, as always, make sure you have all of the documents that you’ll need, including proof of identity (such as your ACT Driver Licence), and, if required, a roadworthy certificate of inspection (as a photo image or PDF) and a vehicle identity check report (as a photo image or PDF) and, remember, you’ll have to pay via card.

ACT bureaucrats reckon they’ll process your transaction within 10 business days of application submission. Believe that when you see it.

Registration costs depend on what you’re actually registering but range from $89.20 a year (for a trailer up to 250kg) to $766.10 a year (for a caravan with a tare weight between 2505kg and 2794kg) through to $1307 a year (for something gargantuan with a tare weight between 4325kg and 4500kg). (* Tare weight is the weight of the trailer/caravan empty (including water tanks) and no onboard gear, other than any standard factory-fitted equipment.)

It’s important to note that the ACT defines a trailer “as a vehicle with flat load space suitable for general purpose goods carrying or trailer designed for carrying specific objects” and a caravan “as an enclosed trailer constructed to be used as mobile living quarters, or for vending”.

Make sure you register your caravan because penalties for towing an unregistered caravan/trailer will sting: using an “unregistered/suspended vehicle” will attract a fine of $685.

For more information, click here.

New South Wales

The same goes for NSW caravan registration as in the ACT, pretty much. 

If you’re registering a caravan in NSW you’ll need all of the usual suspects including application, proof of identity, previous registration receipt, as well as an original inspection report issued no more than 42 days prior to your application submission, and, if needed, an Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection Station report (blue slip), or a Heavy Vehicle Authorised Inspection Scheme report (if the vehicle has an aggregate trailer mass of more than 2 tonnes), a Vehicle Safety Compliance Certificate (if the vehicle has been significantly modified), and your weighbridge ticket (required if there is no specification sheet or the caravan/trailer tare mass can’t be confirmed, or the trailer is imported, or there has been a major change to the trailer).

Worth noting is the fact that caravans and camper trailers are exempt from stamp duty. To claim this exemption, you’ll need a copy of the certificate of registration, and “proof that the vehicle is a caravan or camper trailer (such as an invoice or photo of the vehicle with the number plate visible)”.

Worth noting is the fact that caravans and camper trailers are exempt from stamp duty.

The cost to register a caravan in NSW depends on what you’re actually registering but may range from $0 a year (for a private-use trailer that weighs up to 254kg) through to $448 a year (for a caravan that weighs between 1505kg and 2504kg). 

Stay on the right side of the law and make sure your caravan registration is always current because otherwise you may face a penalty or fine of $196 for parking an “unregistered trailer (not part of a combination) on a road” or even $704 (offence: “Drive or park an unregistered vehicle on a road or road-related area”).

For more information, click here. 

Northern Territory

There’s no two ways about it: if you're a resident of the Northern Territory, you must register your vehicle – this applies to cars, motorcycles, trailers and other motor vehicles.

To register, get an inspection and compliance check (if needed), as well as have on hand, proof of identity and residency, proof of vehicle ownership, and roadworthy inspection report (if required), then submit your application and pay your fees.

Trailer and caravan registration in the NT costs from $100.80 a year (for a trailer that weighs between 1kg and 200kg) through to $520.80 (for a trailer behemoth that weighs between 4001kg and 4500kg). As with any of the fees cited in this yarn, they may have changed between the time of writing and when you actually read this yarn so, as always, check with the relevant authorities for up-to-date fees, conditions and more.

Make sure your caravan’s registration is current because penalties for towing an unregistered caravan/trailer in the Northern Territory are severe.

Make sure your caravan’s registration is current because penalties for towing an unregistered caravan/trailer in the Northern Territory are severe: the cops will throw the nearest crocodile at you! No, only joking, but driving a vehicle unregistered will cost you $300 (if it hasn’t been registered for a month or less) through to $1500 (if the registration expired more than 12 months ago).

As in most states and territories, short-term permits are available so you can tow your unregistered caravan a short distance but for very specific reasons (eg. taking it to be repaired so it can be registered), so make sure you seek out and confirm those types of details before you merrily drive around unregistered and uninsured.

For more information, click here. 

Queensland

Trailers and caravans used on Queensland roads must be registered and the good news is that the Sunshine State’s government has temporarily “simplified the process” (so they reckon) for any Queenslanders to re-register their trailers or caravans if they had cancelled that registration on or after 29 January 2020 due to COVID-19.

“If the trailer or caravan is being registered to the same registered operator/s and no changes have been made to the trailer or caravan's details, you can now re-register your trailer or caravan without: obtaining a safety certificate or obtaining a certificate of inspection (if the vehicle’s previous inspection was within the previous 12-months); a self assessment of single axle trailers (if applicable); or paying the new number plate fee (if your number plate was customised upon cancellation, you can reattach your existing plate, or if you surrendered, lost or destroyed your number plate, a new number plate will be provided free of charge.)

“Please note: These changes are temporary and will only be in place until 6 months after the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration is revoked.” 

On March 18 this year Queensland’s public health emergency declaration was extended to 11.59pm on Friday 24 June 2022.

To register a trailer or caravan in Queensland, you’ll need all of the stuff you’d expect to need (including proof of identity, proof of registration etc) but it helps to run through the registration checklist. For more information click here before you have a crack at the application forms. 

Most trailers and caravans do not need compulsory third party (CTP) insurance if they are being towed by a Queensland registered vehicle, but it’s a good idea to check with the CTP insurer of your towing vehicle to see if insurance cover is applied to the trailer or caravan being towed.

You need to apply for new registration in Queensland when buying a new trailer or caravan that has never been registered; buying a used unregistered trailer or caravan; you have moved from another state or territory; or your registration expired more than three months ago. Note: you can’t submit a new registration application via the website.

Registration fees for a caravan/trailer in Queensland will vary depending on its weight but for a private-use caravan with an ATM of 3000kg expect to pay approximately $250 a year.

To register your trailer or caravan in Queensland, you also need an original copy of the current Queensland safety certificate or certificate of inspection—if you are registering a trailer or caravan with an ATM* of more than 750kg (unless the trailer or caravan is brand new), a safety certificate or certificate of inspection, evidence of the vehicle’s garage address, and the caravan or camper trailer must have a fire extinguisher onboard when registered. (* ATM – aggregate trailer mass – is the total mass of the trailer when carrying the maximum load recommended by the manufacturer.)

Registration fees for a caravan/trailer in Queensland will vary depending on its weight but for a private-use caravan with an ATM of 3000kg expect to pay approximately $250 a year.

Penalties for an unregistered caravan/trailer will likely punch the crap out of your wallet to the tune of more than $400 or more.

For more information, click here. 

South Australia

When you buy an SA-registered vehicle (including a trailer and caravan), you must transfer the registration within 14 days or you have to pay a late transfer fee of $92.

You'll need the caravan or trailer’s registration number, the seller’s SA driver’s licence (or client number) and the seller’s name, and you have to pay a $31 transfer fee (or $92 late fee) and stamp duty, which you’ll work out on the website’s calculator.

You’ll also need to show proof of identity, proof of ownership, and more – the usual.

So all up, pretty cheap.

But, what are the penalties for an unregistered caravan? $519 if caught with it in motion (i.e. towing it); and $519 for “causing an unregistered motor vehicle to stand on a road” (i.e. parking it).

For more information, click here. 

Tasmania

To register a caravan or trailer in Tasmania you’ll need the necessary fistful of aforementioned documentation, including but probably not limited to a passed inspection report (if you’re applying for registration of a light motor vehicle or trailer), your licence (or other proof of identity, your proof of entitlement, and you’ll have to be ready to part with some sweet, sweet cash – but not too much.

This process will likely set you back $26 in motor tax (for a trailer with a GVM of 4.5 tonnes or less (includes caravans, trailer, camper trailer and horse floats), plus $35.47 (plate $18.97 and certificate $16.50), plus whatever third-party insurance you go with. The Motor Accident Insurance Board (MAIB) premium (for “Caravan, Horse Float, Plant and Machinery (Non Self-Propelled): Any caravan, horse float or plant and machinery with an unladen mass exceeding half a tonne, which is designed to be drawn by a motor vehicle (excluding any trailer)”) is $28 (subject to a yearly duty of $20).

Transfer of registration costs $29.70.

So, you do the sums.

The penalty for using an unregistered caravan or trailer, or “Use unregistered trailer (registration not suspended/cancelled)” is $216.

For more information, click here. 

Victoria

Ah, sweet Victoria – it’s the Education State, apparently.

The path to registering a trailer or caravan in this fine state is as easy as it is in other states, but some of the fees will punch a dirty big hole in your bank account.

Before we get started: you must be at least 16 years old to register a light trailer or caravan, or at least 18 years old to register a heavy trailer or caravan in your name.

You’ll need your VicRoads customer number (i.e your learner permit or driver licence number, or, if you don’t have a licence, it’ll be the customer number listed on your registration renewal notice), a Certificate of Roadworthiness (if applicable), as well as proof of identity, and an appointment.

For a light trailer (with an ATM of 750kg), you’ll need to fill out a Light Trailer Registration Form; for a trailer with an ATM of more 750kg but less than 4.5 tonnes, you’ll need to submit a completed and signed Vehicle Registration Form, as well as book a trailer inspection at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre ($49.90 total); ensure the vehicle VIN is stamped on the trailer; and that a trailer plate is affixed or the vehicle is recorded on the Register of Approved Vehicles.

In Victoria, you must be at least 16 years old to register a light trailer or caravan, or at least 18 years old to register a heavy trailer or caravan in your name.

So, to the fees. If you’re renewing the annual registration on your trailer or caravan you pay $61.40, but if you’re registering a new caravan, get ready to pay $5.40 per $200 of the market value (or part thereof) in motor vehicle duty, or $8.40 per $200 of the market value (or part thereof) if you’re buying a used caravan or transferring registration.

It certainly pays to have your rego up to date though because penalties are a bit bloody painful: for instance, if you “Own or use an unregistered trailer that is a heavy vehicle with 1 axle” that’ll cost you $727; or if you “Own or use an unregistered trailer that is a heavy vehicle with 2 axles” that’ll be a $1090 bill.

For more information, click here. 

Western Australia

To sort out your caravan or camper registration in Western Australia (or “License a caravan or camper trailer” in sand-groper speak) is a simple four-step process.

First up, you’ll have to get the caravan or camper inspected for roadworthiness at an approved provider.

Then, once the caravan has passed scrutiny, you’ll have to fill out an application form, provide proof of identity and submit the application in person.

In terms of fees you’re looking at $10.30 (Light vehicle standard administration recording fee), $18.90 (Vehicle licence transfer fee), $6.14 (Light vehicle registration: Caravan (trailer type) per 100kg) so $153.50 on a 2500kg caravan ($6.14 x 2500kg / 100kg), as well as $15.50 (as a Motor Injury Insurance premium for a trailer/caravan).

While a caravan (defined as “a trailer (including a camper trailer) permanently fitted for human habitation in the course of a journey”) is exempt from the payment of Vehicle Licence Duty, a vehicle licence transfer fee of $18.90 still applies.

The penalty for towing an unregistered caravan or trailer in Western Australia on a public road – as in “operating an unregistered/unlicensed vehicle” – is likely upwards of $400. You’ve been warned.

For more information, click here.