what are government charges on a used car

In Australia, “government charges” on a used car are the dull-but-inevitable on‑road costs, not dealer fluff.

• Stamp duty (varies by state/territory and vehicle value; roughly 2–6% of the price).
• Transfer fee, registration, and number plate fee (set by your state).
• Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance or equivalent, sometimes bundled with rego.
• Pro‑rata registration if renewing or aligning the term.

They do not include dealer delivery, accessories, tint, or extended warranties—none of those are government charges.

As a ballpark, budget from a few hundred to a few thousand AUD depending on the car’s value and your postcode, with stamp duty doing most of the heavy lifting.

Rates change by state and vehicle type, so run your figures through your state road authority or revenue office calculator before you get the confetti out.