What Does a REGO Check Show? A Complete State-by-State Guide in Australia

1. What Exactly Is a REGO Check in Australia?

 

A REGO Check confirms a vehicle's registration status with the relevant state or territory authority.

It tells you whether a car is:

         •       currently registered

         •       expired

         •       suspended

         •       cancelled

         •       defect-flagged (in some states)

 

A REGO Check does not show full history, PPSR finance owing, odometer issues or past accidents.

But it is the first thing every buyer should check before inspecting a used car.

 

This guide breaks down what each state provides, using only official government sources:

         •       NSW – Service NSW / Transport for NSW

         •       VIC – VicRoads

         •       QLD – TMR

         •       WA – Department of Transport

         •       SA – Service SA

         •       TAS – Transport Tasmania

         •       ACT – Access Canberra

         •       NT – Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR)

 

Terminology varies slightly between states, but this article uses each state's official wording.

 

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2. What a REGO Check Shows (All States)

 

Every state/territory will show most of the following:

 

✔ Registration status

 

(active, expired, suspended, cancelled…)

 

✔ Expiry date

 

When the rego is due for renewal.

 

✔ Vehicle identifiers

 

Make, model, body type, colour, VIN, engine number.

 

✔ CTP / Compulsory Third Party insurance

 

(Shown in NSW, QLD, ACT; not shown in all states)

 

✔ Conditions or restrictions

 

E.g., "conditional registration" in NSW/QLD.

 

✔ Cancellation or suspension records

 

Some states will show defect notices or suspensions.

 

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3. What a REGO Check Does Not Show

 

Across all states, a REGO Check does not include:

 

❌ Finance owing

❌ PPSR / REVS results

❌ Written-off history

❌ Stolen status

❌ Past owners

❌ Service history

❌ Odometer logs

❌ Accident history

 

This is why buyers use a REGO Check first, then run a full AUCN history report to see hidden risks (finance owing, write-offs, valuation, odometer behaviour, etc.).

 

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4. State-by-State REGO Check Breakdown

 

(Information below strictly follows each state's official transport authority)

 

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NSW — Service NSW (Transport for NSW)

 

Official service: "Check a vehicle registration"

https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/check-a-vehicle-registration

 

You can see:

         •       Registration status (current, cancelled, expired)

         •       Expiry date

         •       CTP insurer & policy expiry

         •       VIN/chassis/engine number

         •       Vehicle description (make/model/body/colour)

         •       Registration restrictions (e.g., hail, defect notices)

 

Can also show:

         •       Roadworthiness issues, if reported

         •       Whether the vehicle is written-off (basic indicator)

(NSW shows "WOVR status", but for full details PPSR is required)

 

Importance:

NSW provides the most detailed REGO Check of any state.

 

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VIC — VicRoads

 

Official service: "Check registration status"

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration

 

You will see:

         •       Registration status

         •       Expiry date

         •       Basic vehicle description

         •       Whether the registration is suspended

         •       VIC-specific notes (like club permit registration)

 

Does not show:

         •       CTP info

         •       Written-off indicators (need PPSR)

 

VicRoads uses more formal language and fewer data points compared to NSW.

 

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QLD — Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR)

 

Official service: "Check registration status"

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au

 

Shows:

         •       Registration status

         •       Expiry date

         •       CTP insurer information

         •       Whether vehicle is on continuous registration

         •       Vehicle description

 

QLD emphasizes CTP integration because CTP is managed differently compared to VIC.

 

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WA — Department of Transport

 

Official service: "Check registration (DoTDirect)"

https://www.transport.wa.gov.au

 

Provides:

         •       Registration status

         •       Expiry date

         •       Vehicle make, model, VIN

         •       Some conditional registration types

 

Does not provide CTP data (WA's insurance model is different).

 

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SA — Service SA

 

Official service: "Check registration status"

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/registration

 

Shows:

         •       Registration status

         •       Expiry date

         •       Basic vehicle identifiers

 

Limited detail. No write-off indicator.

 

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TAS — Transport Tasmania

 

Official service: "Check vehicle registration"

https://www.transport.tas.gov.au

 

Shows:

         •       Registration status

         •       Expiry

         •       Vehicle identifiers

 

TAS publishes fewer fields but does warn about flooded or hail-damaged cars on WOVR via PPSR.

 

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ACT — Access Canberra

 

Official service: "Rego check"

https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au

 

Shows:

         •       Registration status

         •       Expiry

         •       CTP details

         •       Vehicle basics

 

ACT is similar to NSW in structure but with fewer fields.

 

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NT — Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR)

 

Official service: "Registration check"

https://nt.gov.au/driving/rego

 

Shows:

         •       Registration status

         •       Expiry

         •       Vehicle description

 

No CTP data, no WOVR indicators.

 

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5. AUCN Buyer Tips: How to Use a REGO Check Properly

 

✔ Use REGO to confirm identity

 

Many scams involve fake plates or mismatched VINs.

 

✔ Use AUCN Report to check hidden risks

 

Because REGO does not show:

         •       finance

         •       PPSR encumbrance

         •       write-off history

         •       valuation

         •       odometer patterns

         •       cross-state movements

✔ Always check rego expiry before negotiating

 

Buyers often negotiate costs if rego expires soon (especially in NSW/VIC).

 

✔ Beware "unregistered but safe to drive" claims

 

In NSW/VIC, you cannot legally test-drive an unregistered car unless it has temporary permit.

 

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🟦 6. FAQ — REGO Check in Australia

 

Is a REGO Check free?

 

Yes in all states (NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT).

 

Does a REGO Check show finance owing?

 

No. Only PPSR/REVS can show this.

 

Does a REGO Check show written-off status?

 

NSW shows a basic indicator; for details you must run PPSR or AUCN report.

 

Why do sellers hide rego plate numbers?

 

Often because the car has issues (finance owing, write-off, or expired rego).

 

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🟩 7. AUCN Final Advice

 

A REGO check is your first step, not your last.

 

AUCN recommends:

 

1. Run REGO Check → 2. Run AUCN Report → 3. Inspect the vehicle → 4. Verify service history

 

This is the safest method to avoid costly mistakes.

 

 

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By AUCN Car Report — Independent vehicle-history experts

 

Transferring registration ("rego") is one of the most important steps after buying a used car in Australia.

But because each state has its own rules, paperwork, inspection requirements and deadlines, many buyers end up confused—or worse, receive unexpected fines.

 

This guide explains how to transfer rego in NSW, VIC and QLD using only official state-government rules, and adds AUCN's independent tips to help buyers avoid common mistakes.

 

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🟦 1. Before You Transfer Rego: Three Checks Every Buyer Must Do

 

Before taking ownership, make sure you:

 

✔ 1. Run a PPSR / AUCN report

 

To confirm:

         •       no finance owing

         •       not written-off

         •       not stolen

         •       odometer consistency

         •       realistic valuation

 

✔ 2. Confirm the REGO is actually valid

 

Using:

         •       NSW: Service NSW

         •       VIC: VicRoads

         •       QLD: TMR

 

✔ 3. Confirm the seller's identity matches the registration certificate

 

Especially important for:

         •       private sellers

         •       cars sold on Marketplace or Gumtree

         •       interstate sellers

 

Once these are confirmed, proceed with your state's transfer process.

 

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🟦 2. NSW Rego Transfer (Service NSW)

 

Official source:

https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/transfer-vehicle-registration

 

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What you need to transfer rego in NSW

 

✔ 1. Proof of identity

 

Driver licence or NSW Photo Card.

 

✔ 2. Proof of purchase

 

This can be:

         •       receipt

         •       tax invoice

         •       completed "Proof of Purchase" section on the NSW registration paper

 

Must include:

         •       VIN

         •       sale price

         •       date of sale

         •       seller's details

 

✔ 3. CTP insurance

 

Known in NSW as "Green Slip".

 

The vehicle cannot be transferred until the new owner has a Green Slip in their name.

 

✔ 4. Safety Check (Pink Slip) — only if required

 

If the rego is due for renewal or expired, a new eSafety Check may be required.

 

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Transfer deadline in NSW

 

You must transfer within:

 

14 days of purchase.

 

After 14 days, Service NSW charges a late transfer fee.

 

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Transfer fees in NSW

 

Official Service NSW fees include:

         •       Transfer fee

         •       Stamp duty:

         •       $3 per $100 of the market value or sale price (whichever is higher)

 

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How to transfer (two methods)

 

✔ Online (most common)

 

Use your Service NSW account.

 

✔ In person

 

Visit a Service NSW Centre.

 

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AUCN buyer advice for NSW

         •       NSW requires stamp duty based on market value, not the seller's declared price → underreporting the sale price won't work.

         •       Ensure the CTP policy has switched to the buyer's name before attempting transfer.

         •       If the car is from interstate, NSW may require a Blue Slip (full inspection).

 

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🟦 3. VIC Rego Transfer (VicRoads)

 

Official source:

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/transfer-a-vehicle

 

Victoria has its own rules and terminology (transfer form, RWC requirements, no CTP upload).

 

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What you need to transfer rego in VIC

 

✔ 1. VicRoads transfer form

 

The "Vehicle Transfer Form" (buyer + seller both sign).

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

 

✔ 2. Roadworthy Certificate (RWC)

 

In VIC, an RWC is mandatory for most transfers.

 

Exceptions include:

         •       spouse/domestic partner transfers

         •       vehicles over 25 years (club permit requirements apply, but not exempt from roadworthy)

         •       certain transfer categories (inheritance, repo, etc.)

 

✔ 3. Proof of identity

 

Victorian licence or other accepted ID.

 

✔ 4. Proof of purchase

 

Receipt or tax invoice.

 

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Transfer deadline in VIC

 

You must lodge transfer documents within:

 

14 days of sale.

 

Late lodgement may cause penalties.

 

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Transfer fees & stamp duty in VIC

         •       Transfer fee: set by VicRoads

         •       Duty:

Calculated as a percentage of the market value or sale price (whichever is higher).

 

Rates differ depending on:

         •       value brackets

         •       vehicle type (standard, luxury, commercial)

 

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How to transfer in VIC

 

✔ Online upload

 

Upload documents through the VicRoads "myVicRoads" account.

 

✔ In person

 

Visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre (appointment required in many areas).

 

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AUCN buyer advice for VIC

         •       VIC's RWC requirement is strict — factor in the cost ($150–$300).

         •       A common scam: sellers providing "older" RWCs. RWCs are only valid for 30 days in most cases.

         •       VIC does not show CTP on rego checks—the insurer is allocated automatically based on registration.

 

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🟦 4. QLD Rego Transfer (TMR Queensland)

 

Official source:

https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/registration/transfer/vehicle

 

Queensland has different rules from NSW/VIC.

 

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What you need to transfer rego in QLD

 

✔ 1. Transfer application

 

"Vehicle Registration Transfer Application (Form F3520)"

 

✔ 2. Proof of identity

 

QLD licence or Passport + supporting docs.

 

✔ 3. Safety Certificate

 

Known as a QLD Safety Certificate, issued by:

         •       Approved inspection station

         •       Mobile inspector

 

Required for most private sales before transfer.

 

Exceptions include:

         •       dealer sales

         •       exempt vehicles (e.g., some trailers, caravans)

         •       interstate vehicles being re-registered

 

✔ 4. CTP insurance

 

QLD displays CTP insurer on REGO Check.

When transferring rego: CTP automatically moves with registration.

 

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Transfer deadline in QLD

 

You must lodge the transfer within:

 

14 days of purchase.

 

Late transfer fees apply.

 

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Transfer fees & duty in QLD

         •       Transfer fee (TMR)

         •       Duty based on:

sale price OR market value (whichever is higher)

 

Duty rates vary by:

         •       type of vehicle

         •       cylinder count

         •       amount paid

 

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How to transfer in QLD

 

✔ Online (most buyers use this)

 

If both parties have a QGov account.

 

✔ In person

 

At a Transport and Main Roads Customer Service Centre.

 

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AUCN buyer advice for QLD

         •       You must have a valid Safety Certificate displayed on the car at the time of sale (Queensland law).

         •       Many unroadworthy cars are sold without a Safety Certificate—avoid them.

         •       If the vehicle was originally NSW/VIC, run a full PPSR to check for hidden write-offs before transferring.

 

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🟦 5. Summary Comparison Table

 

 

 

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🟦6. AUCN Final Advice

 

Transferring rego is straightforward once you understand your state's rules — but getting the wrong car transferred can cost thousands.

 

AUCN recommends this safe order:

 

1. Run AUCN Report → 2. Inspect car → 3. Transfer Rego → 4. Keep all documents for records

 

This protects buyers from:

         •       finance owing

         •       hidden write-offs

         •       valuation traps

         •       odometer irregularities

         •       cross-state risk patterns