Free Victoria Car Bill of Sale

Victoria Car Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Stamp Duty / Tax Details

Victoria charges stamp duty calculated as $8.40 per $200 of the vehicle's market value (or the next $200 part) for vehicles up to $68,740 in value. For a $25,000 car: ceil($25,000 / $200) × $8.40 = 125 × $8.40 = $1,050. Higher rates apply above $68,740. Duty is assessed on the market value, not just the stated sale price.

Exemption: Transfers between spouses, domestic partners, and certain family members may qualify for a stamp duty concession in Victoria. Confirm with the State Revenue Office Victoria (sro.vic.gov.au).

Inspection / Roadworthy Requirements

A Roadworthy Certificate (RWC) is required for the buyer to transfer registration in Victoria. The RWC confirms the vehicle meets minimum Victorian road safety standards. It is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. The seller is not legally obligated to provide the RWC, but buyers should insist on it before purchase — without it, the buyer cannot register the car. An "unregistered vehicle permit" allows the buyer to transport an unroadworthy vehicle but not to drive it generally.

Victoria Car Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

1. Seller arranges a valid Roadworthy Certificate (RWC) from a licensed Vehicle Tester — valid for 30 days, required for the buyer to transfer registration.
2. Both parties complete a bill of sale recording the VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, agreed sale price, and both parties' full names, addresses, and signatures.
3. Seller completes the Transfer of Registration process via VicRoads online (vicroads.vic.gov.au) and lodges the Notice of Disposal within 1 business day of the sale.
4. Seller provides the buyer with the signed Transfer of Registration form, the RWC, and any available service records.
5. Buyer completes the registration transfer at a VicRoads customer service centre or online within 14 days.
6. Buyer pays stamp duty: $8.40 per $200 of market value (or portion thereof), assessed on the higher of sale price or market value.
7. Buyer arranges CTP insurance (TAC charge) before registering the vehicle — it is included in Victorian vehicle registration.
8. Both parties retain signed copies of the bill of sale and Transfer of Registration form.

Common Pitfalls

• Missing the 1-business-day Notice of Disposal deadline: Victoria's 1-business-day window is the most demanding in Australia. If the seller fails to lodge before the next business day, they remain legally liable for any incidents or infringements involving the vehicle after the sale.
• Expired Roadworthy Certificate: an RWC obtained more than 30 days before the registration transfer will be rejected. Time the inspection carefully if the sale takes time to negotiate.
• Selling without an RWC and expecting the buyer to arrange it: while buyers can purchase a vehicle without an RWC and obtain an unregistered vehicle permit, the vast majority of private car sales in Victoria involve an RWC provided by the seller — buyers who skip this step take on significant mechanical risk.
• Stamp duty calculated on market value, not sale price: if the stated sale price is below the market value assessed by VicRoads (based on the Glass's Guide), stamp duty is charged on the market value. Underreporting the price does not reduce the duty.
• Not completing the Transfer of Registration online: VicRoads requires the seller to initiate the transfer process online, not just hand over a paper form. Both the online Transfer of Registration and the physical Notice of Disposal are required.

Pro Tip

Victorian car sales have the strictest seller deadline in Australia: the Notice of Disposal must be lodged within 1 business day. Arrange the Roadworthy Certificate before listing to avoid last-minute complications, and confirm the stamp duty calculation on vicroads.vic.gov.au before the transfer appointment. Sellers who miss the NoD deadline face real legal risk — make it the first thing you do after handing over the keys.

Victoria Car Bill of Sale — FAQs