Car prices and running costs
What owning, buying and selling a car actually costs in Australia, and what has just changed — duty, fees, insurance and running costs.
Read this before the finance manager sits down
The car is the easy part. The contract is the purchase. Get the loan from someone who does not also need to sell you the car, get every fee on one page, and do not sign a small weekly number that hides a balloon.
#finance
Car prices rose 2.2% over the year while fuel fell 7.3%
The ABS Consumer Price Index for June 2026, released 29 July, puts Motor vehicles up 2.2% over the year against headline inflation of 3.8%. Automotive fuel fell 7.3%.
Victoria's 20% rego rebate closes 31 August, and you have to claim it
Victorians can claim 20% back on light vehicle registration paid between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, for up to two vehicles. Unlike the NSW discount it is not automatic, and applications close 31 August.
NSW takes $100 off private car registration from 1 September
From 1 September, NSW registration renewals for privately registered light vehicles are reduced by up to $100 and motorcycles by $80. It applies automatically, and business-registered vehicles are excluded.