Australia.

Right-hand drive

Yes — required for standard registration; some exemptions exist for vehicles over 25 years old

Maximum vehicle age

No absolute age limit; vehicles over 25 years qualify for simplified import under the classic/historic pathway; vehicles under 25 years must demonstrate ADR compliance

Required documentation

Import approval (from DOIIS — Department of Infrastructure) · Commercial invoice · Bill of Lading · Certificate of origin · Technical specifications (for ADR compliance) · Biosecurity declaration (BICON compliance) · Proof of ownership

Customs duty

5% of customs value; 0% for vehicles 30+ years old

VAT / local tax

10% GST on total landed cost (customs value + duty + freight + insurance); Luxury Car Tax (LCT) applies at 33% on the value exceeding the LCT threshold (AUD ~76,950 for standard vehicles, ~AUD 91,387 for fuel-efficient)

Registration cost

AUD 462–1,481/year depending on state and vehicle weight; NSW approx. AUD 462/year; Victorian vehicles AUD 270–1,481/year; stamp duty 5% on vehicles over AUD 58,000

Roadworthiness inspection

Yes — mandatory biosecurity inspection (quarantine, 1–2 weeks); ADR compliance certification required for vehicles under 25 years; state-by-state roadworthiness inspection before registration

Notable restrictions

Strict biosecurity: vehicle must be professionally cleaned to remove all organic material (soil, seeds, insects) before shipment. ADR compliance for under-25-year vehicles can require costly modifications (AUD 2,000–15,000). State-specific regulations vary — NSW, Victoria and Queensland have distinct requirements.

Port clearance time

2–4 weeks total (biosecurity 1–2 weeks + customs 3–7 days + compliance assessment 1–2 weeks)

Buyer note

Budget 30–45% on top of vehicle value for all import costs combined; have the biosecurity cleaning completed before loading in the UK — non-compliant vehicles face quarantine on arrival.