Find out how to import single vehicles by individuals for private use, as well as the conditions for licensing vehicles made before 1989 and left-hand drive vehicles in Western Australia (WA).
If you want to import a new vehicle commercially for purposes of sale, please visit the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts (DITRDCA) website to find an option best suited for your business needs.
Import approvals
You can import a vehicle into WA for either personal (private) or business (commercial) use.
DITRDCA issues approvals when a vehicle satisfies requirements set out in the Road Vehicles Standards Act 2018 (RVSA), introduced on 1 July 2021.
For vehicles imported for personal use, also known as a 'Personal effect', an online application must be made through DITRDCA’s website.
Once approved the vehicle is entered on the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV), an online, publicly searchable database of vehicles approved for the Australian market.
Note: A Commonwealth vehicle import approval alone doesn’t guarantee that the vehicle can be licensed in WA as all vehicles must additionally meet applicable State requirements prior to licencing.
There are 2 approval pathways for a vehicle to be loaded onto RAV, each one tailored to specific user needs and planned vehicle volume production.
- Concessional type approval - for 4 or fewer vehicles being imported within a 12 month period.
- Vehicle type approval - for vehicles imported in greater volumes.
When importing a personal or older vehicle, you can apply for a Concessional type approval. This approval will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may allow for concessions regarding certain Australian Design Rules (ADR) - national standards for road vehicle safety, anti-theft and emissions - that apply to most vehicles.
Vehicles can also be imported commercially in greater volumes with specific import options through a Vehicle type approval.
From 1 July 2023, only imported vehicles listed on the RAV will be considered for licensing as the information on the RAV replaces the need to fit approved vehicles with compliance plates.
Importing a personal vehicle from overseas
If you’ve owned and used a vehicle overseas for at least 12 months, you can import it to WA as a ‘Personal effect’, an arrangement through the Road Safety Act 2018 (RSVA). For a personal vehicle to be lawfully licensed in WA an applicant needs to meet conditions of an import approval issued under a Concessional RAV entry pathway, a vehicle to meet set ADR requirements and applicable WA registration requirements.
Visitors, temporary residents and companies can’t import vehicles this way. It’s a federal offence to import a road vehicle without obtaining an import approval.
Requirement for a vehicle to meet ADR
New or used vehicles being imported, sold, or presented to the Australian market for the first time must meet national standards, Australian Design Rules (ADRs), unless the Commonwealth Administrator of Vehicle Standards issues an exemption.
The ADRs that apply vary depending to the date of manufacture and category of the vehicle.
The Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014 (WA) provides a partial exemption from most of the ADR requirements for vehicles that have been imported under ‘Personal effects’.
Where applicable to a vehicle of the same type, a personally imported vehicle must be fitted with:
- seat belts that meet an Australian Standard or British Standard
- seat belt anchorages that meet the number and location requirements of ADR 5 (second or third edition)
- child restraint anchorages that meet the number, location, accessibility, thread size and form requirements of ADR 34 (second edition), or ADR 5 or 34 (third edition)
- head restraints that meet the number, location, and size requirements of ADR 22 (second or third edition).
In addition to ADRs, a personal vehicle might need to meet additional safety standards prescribed in WA and, depending on a vehicle age, converted to a right-hand drive before considered for a vehicle licence by the State licensing authority.
Contact us to ensure your personal vehicle is fully compliant prior to arranging for a vehicle importation.
Importing older vehicles (classic or historic)
For vehicles 25 years or older, ensure you have a Concessional RAV entry approval – Older Vehicles, and proof of ownership.
The vehicle should meet ADR standards or show it follows the intent of these rules.
The VTB-106A bulletin provides information on importing pre-1989 vehicles, including:
- vehicle compliance
- vehicle importer requirements
- audits
- vehicle dimensions
- state requirements for registering imported vehicles.
Licensing left-hand drive vehicles
Left-hand drive vehicles under 4,500 kg, made 15 to 30 years ago (at the date you apply to license the vehicle), might not need a right-hand drive conversion if used personally.
Australian residents: eligibility
If you're an Australian resident and you import a left-hand drive vehicle manufactured less than 15 years ago, you may need to convert it to right-hand drive before it can be licensed.
Refer to modify or construct a vehicle for information on licensing a left-hand drive vehicle.
Immigrants and returning nationals: eligibility
Immigrants may be able to license a left-hand drive vehicle conditionally for up to 12 months.
This applies only if the vehicle is imported as personal property.
The left-hand drive vehicle may need to be converted to right hand drive before the conditional vehicle licence will be renewed, depending on the age of the vehicle.
Returning nationals may have their vehicle licence issued, provided they have worked overseas for more than 12 months.
Written applications must be made to DTMI's Driver and Vehicle Services for consideration.
In all cases you will need a temporary movement permit to move your unlicensed vehicle on WA roads to a place of repair or examination location.
Vehicles built for use in Australia must comply Australian Design Rules (ADRs). The ADRs that apply vary according to the date of manufacture and the category of the vehicle in question. The Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014 provides a partial exemption from most of the ADR requirements for vehicles that have been personally imported. Exemptions apply for certain ADR related items.
For more details on converting left-hand drive vehicles, read the Vehicle Technical Bulletin, VTB-106A: Imported vehicles including left-hand drive (VTB-106A) - PDF and DITRDCA’s Steering Conversions for Left Hand Drive Vehicles (VSB4) - PDF.
Export approvals
The process to export a vehicle from Australia will depend on:
- whether the vehicle is being exported permanently or temporarily
- if the vehicle is being exported for your own private use or to sell
- what country you wish to export to.
If you want to take your vehicle to use while on a holiday or while working overseas, you’ll need to apply for a Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) via the Australian Automobile Association. A CPD is an international customs document that allows your vehicle to cross international borders (for touring purposes) for a limited period. Costs apply.
If exporting your vehicle permanently for private use or to sell and you must return the vehicle's number plates to your nearest DTMI service centre or regional agent. You'll need to comply with the requirements of the destination country, and you should contact the relevant department in that country directly.