
Australia is home to more than 21 million motor vehicles, according to the latest publicly available federal government figures. The country's automotive sector has experienced notable transformations, with a growing popularity of SUVs and electric automobiles. As of January 2023, there were more than 21 million registered vehicles in Australia, with approximately 15.33 million passenger cars and 3.95 million light commercial vehicles. The number of registered vehicles increased across every state and territory between 31 January 2022 and 31 January 2023, with Queensland, Western Australia, and Tasmania experiencing the largest proportionate increases.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of registered vehicles in Australia | More than 21 million |
| Number of passenger vehicles in Australia | 15.33 million |
| Number of light commercial vehicles in Australia | 3.95 million |
| Number of registered motor vehicles in NSW | 6,154,814 |
| Number of registered motor vehicles in Queensland | 4,598,755 |
| Number of registered motor vehicles in South Australia | 1,556,185 |
| Number of registered motor vehicles in Western Australia | 2,437,785 |
| Number of registered motor vehicles in Tasmania | 532,142 |
| Number of registered motor vehicles in the Northern Territory | 166,110 |
| Number of registered motor vehicles in the ACT | 331,416 |
| Number of registered motor vehicles in Victoria | 5,391,255 |
| Average age of vehicles across Australia | 10.6 years |
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What You'll Learn

There are over 21 million cars in Australia
The Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) is responsible for compiling these figures. Their reports provide valuable insights into the nation's automotive landscape, offering aggregate estimates of vehicles registered by state and territory, vehicle type, fuel type, vehicle make, and age.
As of January 2023, the total number of registered vehicles in Australia exceeded 21 million. This count includes approximately 15.33 million passenger vehicles and about 3.95 million light commercial vehicles. The remaining vehicles fall into categories such as motorcycles, campervans, and heavy rigid trucks.
The distribution of registered vehicles varies across Australia's states and territories. In the 2023 report, New South Wales (NSW) boasted the highest number of registered motor vehicles at 6,154,814, while the Northern Territory had the fewest at 166,110. Queensland, Western Australia, and Tasmania experienced the most significant proportionate increases in vehicle registrations from 2022 to 2023, with 3.0%, 2.9%, and 2.3% growth rates, respectively.
While Australia's vehicle landscape is dominated by passenger cars, the market has witnessed notable transformations. Global trends, such as the rising popularity of SUVs and electric vehicles, are influencing consumer choices. Australia saw 8,688 electric car sales in the first half of 2021, indicating a shift towards environmentally conscious transportation.
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NSW has the most registered vehicles
Australia is home to more than 21 million motor vehicles, according to the latest publicly available federal government figures. The Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) defines 'motor vehicles' as motorcycles, passenger vehicles, campervans, light commercial vehicles, heavy rigid trucks, articulated trucks, and buses.
The number of registered vehicles in Australia has been increasing year on year. In the 2023 report, New South Wales (NSW) had the highest number of registered motor vehicles, with 6,154,814. This number is significantly higher than the second-highest state, Victoria, with 5,391,255 registered motor vehicles. Queensland, Western Australia, and Tasmania experienced the largest proportionate increases in vehicle registrations between 31 January 2022 and 31 January 2023, with 3.0%, 2.9%, and 2.3% increases, respectively.
NSW's high number of registered vehicles is notable, as it accounts for more than 29% of Australia's total registered vehicles. This is particularly striking when compared to other states with much lower numbers, such as the Northern Territory, which had the fewest registered vehicles at 166,110. Queensland, with 4,598,755 registered motor vehicles, South Australia with 1,556,185, and Western Australia with 2,437,785, all fall far below NSW's count.
The high number of registered vehicles in NSW may be due to various factors, such as the state's population size, economic factors, or cultural preferences for certain modes of transportation. It is worth noting that the number of registered vehicles does not necessarily equate to the number of vehicles on the road, as some registered vehicles may be inactive or used infrequently. Nonetheless, NSW's high number of registered vehicles indicates a high demand for personal transportation in the state.
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Queensland, South Australia and ACT saw the largest increase in vehicle registrations
Australia has more than 21 million registered motor vehicles, according to the latest publicly available federal government figures. The Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) report provides aggregate estimates of the number of vehicles registered by state and territory, vehicle type, fuel type, vehicle make, and vehicle age.
The number of registered vehicles increased across every state and territory between 31 January 2022 and 31 January 2023. Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) saw the largest increase in vehicle registrations from the previous year, at 2.3%. Queensland had 4,598,755 registered motor vehicles in 2023, while South Australia had 1,556,185, and the ACT had 331,416.
In contrast, Victoria's fleet grew the least by 0.7%. New South Wales (NSW) had the most registered motor vehicles in 2023, with 6,154,814, while the Northern Territory had the fewest, with 166,110. Queensland, Western Australia, and Tasmania experienced the largest proportionate increases in vehicle registrations, with 3.0%, 2.9%, and 2.3% respectively.
New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland have the highest number of vehicle registrations, together accounting for more than 76% of all registered motor vehicles in Australia. The BITRE report is compiled based on existing motor vehicle registration data from all states and territories.
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Australia saw 8,688 electric car sales in the first half of 2021
As of 2023, Australia has over 21 million registered motor vehicles, with New South Wales having the highest number of registered motor vehicles at 6,154,814 and the Northern Territory having the lowest at 166,110.
In recent years, Australia's automotive sector has experienced significant changes, with a notable increase in the popularity of SUVs and electric cars. This shift towards electric vehicles can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, Australians are becoming more conscious of their carbon footprint and are actively seeking to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and air pollution. Secondly, the increasing availability of charging infrastructure across the country has made electric vehicles a practical and viable option for many. The number of charging stations has experienced substantial growth since 2020, with investments in public electric vehicle charging infrastructure continuing to rise.
In the first half of 2021, Australia saw the sale of 8,688 electric vehicles. This contributed to the Asia-Pacific region's electric vehicle market revenue, with Australia ranking fourth and generating over 600 million US dollars. The revenue from Automotive Electrical Component Manufacturing in Australia was forecasted to reach approximately one billion Australian dollars in 2021 and continue growing in the following years.
Despite the global coronavirus pandemic, electric vehicle sales in Australia demonstrated resilience, with an adoption rate of almost three percent in 2021. This placed Australia among the leading Asia-Pacific countries embracing electric vehicles. The global best-selling battery electric vehicle manufacturer in 2021 was Tesla.
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Australia's vehicle emissions are projected to decrease
Australia has over 21 million registered vehicles, with the number of passenger vehicles in the country totalling approximately 15.33 million. The nation's automotive sector has experienced a notable transformation, with a growing popularity in SUVs and electric vehicles. In the first half of 2021, Australia witnessed 8,688 electric car sales, reflecting the increasing consumer preference for environmentally-friendly alternatives.
This shift towards electric vehicles is projected to significantly decrease Australia's vehicle emissions in the coming years. Transport emissions are expected to decline from 103 million metric tons in 2030 to 99 million in 2035, with vehicle emissions decreasing from 43 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2030 to 38 million in 2035.
Several factors contribute to the increasing popularity of electric vehicles in Australia. Firstly, consumers are becoming more conscious of their carbon footprint and seek to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and air pollution. Additionally, the expanding availability of charging infrastructure across the country makes electric vehicles a practical and viable option. Investments in public electric vehicle charging stations have been substantial since 2020, providing greater convenience and accessibility for EV owners.
Furthermore, the Australian government has implemented policies and measures to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles. The National Electric Vehicle Strategy includes additional measures such as fuel efficiency standards for light vehicles, which are expected to further reduce emissions. The government has also committed to reducing the sulfur content in fuels, with a mandatory lower sulfur fuel requirement by 2027, later updated to be implemented even earlier. These initiatives demonstrate Australia's commitment to reducing vehicle emissions and improving environmental sustainability.
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Frequently asked questions
There are more than 21 million cars in Australia, according to the latest publicly available federal government figures.
In the 2023 report, NSW had the most registered motor vehicles (6,154,814) and the Northern Territory had the fewest (166,110). Queensland had 4,598,755 registered motor vehicles in 2023; South Australia and Western Australia had 1,556,185 and 2,437,785, respectively. Tasmania had 532,142 registered motor vehicles, while the ACT had 331,416. There were 5,391,255 registered motor vehicles in Victoria in 2023.
In 2023, the number of passenger vehicles in Australia amounted to approximately 15.33 million.











































