How to Transfer Western Australian Registration to Queensland
I inspected this Toyota Corolla in Morningside today for an owner who had just made the drive across from Perth. That’s a long trip – over 4,000km. After a drive like that, the last thing you want is more hassle. Here’s how to get your WA car registered in Queensland as quickly and easily as possible.
You have 14 days
Once you move to Queensland, you have 14 days to transfer your vehicle’s registration. You can legally drive the car on WA plates during this period, but after 14 days you risk a fine for driving an unregistered vehicle in Queensland.
After driving 4,000km across the country, you probably want to rest for a few days before dealing with paperwork. That’s fine – but don’t leave the registration transfer until the last minute. Book the roadworthy in your first week.
Step 1 - Get a Queensland roadworthy
Your Western Australian registration and any inspection done in WA is not valid in Queensland. Different states have different inspection standards. You need a Queensland safety certificate before you can register here.
A mobile roadworthy is the easiest way to get this done when you’ve just arrived. You’ve driven across the country, you’re living out of boxes, and you don’t know anyone in Brisbane yet. I come to wherever your car is parked – your new house, a temporary rental, a friend’s driveway – inspect it on the spot, and the electronic safety certificate goes to your email immediately.
This Corolla passed without any issues. After a 4,000km drive, the owner was relieved. Toyotas are generally reliable for roadworthy inspections and this one was no exception.
Step 2 - Visit a TMR customer service centre
With your safety certificate ready, go to a Transport and Main Roads (TMR) customer service centre. In WA you dealt with the Department of Transport – in Queensland it’s TMR. Bring:
Your phone with the safety certificate email.
Your WA driver’s licence.
Your WA number plates – you’ll hand these in.
At TMR, you’ll pay the Queensland registration fee and CTP insurance, surrender your WA plates, and receive new Queensland plates on the spot. You walk out with QLD plates in your hand and have 24 hours to fit them.
No forms to fill out beforehand. TMR handles everything and enters the roadworthy details from their system.
Step 3 - Transfer your driver's licence
While you’re at TMR, transfer your WA licence to a Queensland licence. Bring your WA licence and proof of your new Queensland address. You’ll receive a Queensland licence at the same visit. One trip, two jobs done.
Step 4 - Get a refund on your remaining WA rego
You’ve paid for WA registration you’re no longer using. To get a refund on the remaining portion, contact the WA Department of Transport directly. TMR in Queensland can’t process WA refunds. The WA Department of Transport handles this online or by phone – you’ll need your WA registration details and proof of the new Queensland registration.
Step 5 - Register for toll roads
Perth doesn’t have toll roads. Brisbane does. This catches a lot of West Australians off guard.
Register with Linkt (linkt.com.au) as soon as you have your new QLD plates. Brisbane has toll roads including the Gateway Motorway, Logan Motorway, and Go Between Bridge. Without a toll account, you’ll receive fines in the mail. It takes a few minutes to set up online.
Common questions from WA transfers
Does my WA inspection transfer to QLD? No. WA and Queensland inspections are separate. You need a Queensland safety certificate regardless of any inspection done in Western Australia.
Can I keep my WA plates? No. You surrender your WA plates at TMR and receive new Queensland plates.
What if I have a personalised WA plate? Contact the WA Department of Transport about retaining or transferring personalised plates before you hand them in at TMR. Once you surrender them, it may be difficult to get them back.
Get the roadworthy first
The roadworthy is the first step. Without it, you can’t start the registration process at TMR. Book it as soon as you arrive in Queensland and everything else flows from there.
