$BillOfSale.app

Free South Australia RV Bill of Sale

Selling a caravan or motorhome in South Australia follows the same state registration transfer process as a car, but with higher values, larger stamp duty bills, and a critical extra step: check the PPSR register for outstanding finance. Motorhomes are registered as motor vehicles; caravans are registered as trailers — ensure you use the correct transfer form.

Roadworthy
Not required
Stamp Duty
$1-$4 per $100

Seller Information

Buyer Information

RV Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

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South Australia RV Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form
Vehicle Transfer Notification
Agency
Service SA (Department of Infrastructure and Transport)
Primary ID Field
VIN
Stamp Duty
4%
Title / Registration
Registration only
SA does not issue a separate title — registration records are the primary proof of ownership.
Inspection
Not required

Stamp Duty / Tax Details

Stamp duty on private vehicle sales in SA is $4 per $100 of market value. On a $25,000 car the duty is $1,000. Revenue SA assesses duty on the higher of the stated sale price or the market value (Redbook guide price).

Inspection / Roadworthy Requirements

SA does not require a roadworthy certificate for private car sales. No government inspection is mandated before the sale; the buyer may arrange a voluntary pre-purchase inspection at their own cost.

Registration

Registration for this vehicle type is handled by Service SA — separate from the transfer agency.

South Australia RV Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Prepare a signed bill of sale with VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, agreed sale price, sale date, and both parties' full legal names and addresses.
  2. Seller lodges the Notification of Change of Ownership with Service SA within 1 business day of the sale — this is the seller's primary liability protection.
  3. Buyer completes the vehicle transfer at a Service SA centre within 14 days and pays stamp duty at $4 per $100 of the vehicle's market value.
  4. Buyer provides current SA licence and proof of CTP (compulsory third-party) insurance to complete registration in their name.
  5. Run a PPSR check (ppsr.gov.au) before purchase to confirm no outstanding finance on the vehicle.
  6. If the car is interstate, confirm it meets SA registration standards — an inspection may be required before first registration in SA.
  7. Both parties retain a signed copy of the bill of sale for at least 5 years.
  8. Run a PPSR search (ppsr.gov.au, ~$2 AUD) to confirm no outstanding finance on the caravan or motorhome.
  9. Confirm GVM — motorhomes over 4.5 tonne GVM require a different transfer process.

Common Pitfalls

  • Missing the 1-business-day seller notification: SA's 1-business-day window is one of the tightest in Australia. A seller who waits until the weekend to notify Service SA and fails to lodge online will receive speed and parking infringements incurred by the new owner.
  • Stamp duty on market value: Revenue SA uses Redbook market values — if your sale price is below the guide price, duty will be charged on the guide price regardless of the agreed amount.
  • Not disclosing outstanding finance: a PPSR encumbrance on the vehicle survives the sale. The buyer can seek damages from the seller if the vehicle is later repossessed by a financier.
  • Relying on a verbal sale confirmation: without a signed and dated bill of sale specifying the exact sale time, disputes about the 1-business-day notification deadline are difficult to resolve.
  • Caravans transfer as trailers, not motor vehicles — use the correct state form.
  • Not running a PPSR check on high-value RVs is a serious risk — finance balances on caravans can be $50,000+.

Pro Tip

With SA's 1-business-day notification window, sellers should complete the online Notification of Change of Ownership at sa.gov.au before the keys even leave their hands. The higher $4/$100 stamp duty rate means both parties should have the exact sale figure agreed and documented before attending Service SA.

South Australia RV Bill of Sale — FAQs

Why is stamp duty so high in South Australia on private car sales?
SA charges $4 per $100 on private vehicle transfers, compared to $2.75 per $100 in WA or no duty on private sales in the ACT for low-value vehicles. This is a state revenue measure administered by Revenue SA. Duty is the buyer's responsibility and is collected at the time of the vehicle transfer at Service SA.
How does a seller notify Service SA of a vehicle sale?
Service SA provides an online Change of Ownership Notification form at sa.gov.au. The seller needs the vehicle's registration number, the sale date, and the buyer's name and address. The notification must be lodged within 1 business day of the sale — using the online form on the sale date itself is the safest approach.
Is a roadworthy required for a private car sale in SA?
No. South Australia does not require a roadworthy certificate for private vehicle sales. Unlike Victoria (which requires a RWC), SA places no pre-sale inspection obligation on the seller. The buyer accepts the vehicle as-is for condition purposes, although consumer protection laws still apply to misleading representations.
What happens if I buy a car in SA and the registration has lapsed?
If the vehicle's registration has expired, the buyer cannot legally drive it on public roads and must arrange transport (trailer or tow) from the seller's address. The buyer will need to re-register the vehicle at Service SA, which may involve a mechanical inspection and payment of any overdue registration and stamp duty.
Is a caravan sale different from a car sale in Australia?
Caravans and trailers are registered differently from motor vehicles in all Australian states. Service SA handles both, but the transfer form may differ. Motorhomes (self-propelled) transfer as motor vehicles; towed caravans transfer as trailers.