Guide to buying a car in Australia

Many foreign students choose to buy a car in Australia, mainly because of the freedom and comfort that having your own means of transport offers, especially if you reside outside metropolitan areas or in small cities or towns.

Benefits and difficulties in Australia car shopping

If you are considering it, the first thing you should ask yourself is how long you will be studying in this country. Buying a car in Australia will involve days of searching and then a period to sell it. So, if you have time constraints, it is better to consider other options, such as using public transport to get around the larger cities.

At cash your cars Australia we believe that it is only worth buying a vehicle in Australia if your stay is at least three months. For shorter stays, you may find it a bit short of time to try to sell it. But that depends on you.

The supply is huge and there is a huge market for the sale of second-hand vehicles in Australia. You can find a decent car from up to whatever you want to spend it.

The advantages of having your own vehicle are, of course, the freedom and comfort of movement at any time. However, some downsides are still available, such as admission, repairs, and parking costs.

Whether or not you will need your own vehicle will depend on several factors such as where you live, where you work, how you want to spend your free time, your budget, etc.

There are actually many places of interest in Australia, especially natural sites such as spectacular beaches and forests, where the only way to access it is with a vehicle, since either, there is no public transport or it takes a long time to get there.

Guide to purchasing a vehicle in Australia step by step

This guide will provide you with important information on how to buy or sell a car, information on driver's licenses, compulsory insurance, and vehicle maintenance in Australia.

We start with the basic vocabulary essential to buying a car in Australia. A series of terms that you should know and that you will hear a lot when searching for your vehicle in Australia! The first thing you should know is that when it comes to traffic and vehicles, Australian states operate as independent countries. This is important because you can't buy a car in one state and sell it in another without following certain rules.

REGO or Vehicle Registration Number

It is the registration number of the vehicle. Let's say it's like the registration certificate. It must be renewed every year, although you can also do it in some cases for 3 or 6 months. Find out, each Australian state has different conditions to register, transfer or renew REGO.

Roadworthy or Safety Certificate

It's like a technical inspection of vehicles (ITV). Keep in mind that there may be different names depending on the state you live in. It must be performed by a licensed mechanic, and typically the seller is the one who must obtain and pay for the inspection prior to the vehicle sale. The certificate can be made by hand or issued electronically.

CTP or Compulsory Third Party insurance

It is the basic third party insurance and is mandatory for all registered vehicles. You can contract it with any insurance company, although in some states, such as Queensland and Victoria, it is included in the REGO. This insurance only covers damages you cause to the other party in the event of an accident and only damages caused to people, not to another vehicle.

Driver license

It's the driver's license. In order to drive in Australia, the driver must have a valid license and must carry this license with them when behind the wheel.

One thing to remember is that international students are considered temporary residents of Australia. This means that you can use the driver's license from your home country without any problem. However, if this document is not written in English, you should always carry a certified English translation with you or apply for an international driving permit in your home country.

If you don't have a driving license from your country of origin, don't worry: you can get it in Australia. You will have to register with a traffic officer in your state and depending on your country of origin you may have to study it, pass a theoretical exam, and undergo a series of driving tests.