Keep reading to learn more about number plates in Australia to understand them in more detail.
How Number Plates in Australia Work
Each car in Australia must have a visible number plate, which it is expected to have the entire time it is registered in the state. The vehicle licence plate number is linked to various things, including the rego. You can use number plates to search and check registered vehicles, which can be helpful when buying a used car.
There are specific regulations for number plates in each state. However, things are slightly different for heavy vehicles, which must abide by specific rules for national heavy vehicle plates.
It's also possible to get custom plates in Australia, though there are rules on how you can customise a plate. The plate must still follow regulations in each state, be on display clearly and visible from 20m away, and inappropriate suggestions could be turned down.
Australian Number Plates by State
Most Australian number plates have a white background, with the exception of those in New South Wales. Most have a six-figure sequence, but there is some variation here.
You can usually find detailed information about permissible style for a number plate in your state by heading to your local government website; the transport department should have a page on number plate guidance.
This is what the standard issue number plates look like for cars in all territories. Please note that this information may not apply to trailers, motorcycles, or other vehicle types.
Note: for the serial format, lower-case (n) denotes a number, and lower-case (a) denotes a letter. Capital letters refer to a figure that does not change between number plates.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT has number plates that always begin with a Y. They read 'ACT' at the top and a slogan at the bottom, either "Canberra - The Nation's Capital" or "Canberra - The Bush Capital." The slogan alternates depending on the series of license plates being produced at the time.
- Background colour: White
- Text colour: Blue
- Serial format: Yaa·nna
Jervis Bay Territory
Jervis Bay has its own licence plates, which look very similar to those in the ACT. However, the significant difference is that they lack a slogan, simply reading "Jervis Bay Territory" beneath the serial.
- Background colour: White
- Text colour: Blue
- Serial format: Yaa·nna
New South Wales
NSW also does not have a slogan, but 'NEW SOUTH WALES' is embossed beneath the serial. Notably, suffixes IA-IZ and OA-OZ are not used.
- Background colour: Yellow
- Text colour: Black
- Serial format: Da·nn·aa
Northern Territory
Number plates in the Northern Territory have the slogan "N.T. OUTBACK AUSTRALIA" embossed beneath the serial. The series changes regularly, with letters subject to change.
- Background colour: White
- Text colour: Ochre
- Serial format: Ca·nn·aa
Queensland
QLD licence plates have three numbers followed by two letters and a final number. 0 and 1 are not used in the final position. The slogan, "QUEENSLAND - SUNSHINE STATE", is embossed at the bottom.
- Background colour: White
- Text colour: Maroon
- Serial format: nnn·Gan
South Australia
South Australian number plates can be recognised by the "SOUTH AUSTRALIA" embossed at the bottom. The system below is for all vehicles, but notably, the letter Q is reserved for government vehicles. Furthermore, the letter T cannot be used following the C because it is reserved for trailers.
- Background colour: White
- Text colour: Black
- Serial format: Snnn·Caa
Tasmania
Tasmania's number plate is unique because it features the state logo, a thylacine in reeds, at the left. The slogan, "Tasmania - Explore the possibilities", is embossed at the bottom. Like NSW, the suffixes IA-IZ and OA-OZ are not used.
- Background colour: White
- Text colour: Blue
- Serial format: K nn aa
Victoria
"VICTORIA - THE EDUCATION STATE" is the slogan screened at the bottom of Victorian licence plates. This state does not use 0 in the 1st or 4th position, but this is the only restriction.
- Background colour: White
- Text colour: Blue
- Serial format: 1Xa·naa
Western Australia
Western Australia has a blue block at the top of the plate representing the sky, with a desert sun depicted in front. It reads "WESTERN AUSTRALIA" at the bottom. The letter T is not used as the first letter because it is reserved for trailers.
- Background colour: White
- Text colour: Blue
- Serial format: 1Haa·nnn
What Are National Heavy Vehicle Plates?
Heavy vehicles with a GVM of over 4.5 tonnes receive National Heavy Vehicle Plates in the ACT, NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria. Those in the Northern Territory can opt to get one, but it is not a requirement.
These number plates are issued whenever a new heavy vehicle is registered, if an unregistered heavy vehicle is re-registered, or if a state or territory registration is transferred to somewhere other than Western Australia.
The heavy vehicle number plate features black lettering on a white background, with a blue sash at the bottom reading "NATIONAL HEAVY VEHICLE."
The format currently in use is aa·nnaa. Each letter has a meaning. The first letter denotes the vehicle type, with X used for trucks and Y for trailers. The second letter denotes the territory:
- ACT: A
- New South Wales: N or O
- Queensland: Q or B
- Northern Territory: B
- South Australia: S
- Tasmania: T
- Victoria: V or W
Again, the owner of a heavy vehicle can request state-based personalised plates.
Final Thoughts
The number plate system in Australia is quite straightforward. The state-based number plates are easy to identify because they name the location on the plate; many also have different colours to help distinguish them.
Lots of number plates also have number and lettering systems that tell you something about the car, though this varies between states.
However, for more information about a car, you can check the number plate and get a car history report from Carify. A history check can tell you more about the vehicle registration and its history, helping you understand more about a vehicle.
FAQs
The top questions on Australian number plates. Head to our FAQ page for more.
1. What Do Australian Number Plates Look Like?
Number plates vary in appearance between states in Australia. Most have a white background and blue text, but there is some variation. The majority have a six-digit serial, but each territory has its own guidelines regarding the serial number.
2. Who Owns the Number 1 Number Plate in Australia?
A Victoria single-digit licence plate with just the number 1 is estimated to be the most expensive custom plate in Australia. The number plate belongs to the former chief executive of Coles, Peter Bartels, whose number plate on his Mercedes AMG is worth an estimated $2.4 million.
3. What Does a Yellow Plate Mean in Australia?
A yellow number plate in Australia comes from NSW, where the standard plate comes with a yellow background and black text.
4. Why Do Canberra Plates Start with Y?
Each number plate issued in Canberra starts with a Y as an attempt to establish consistency between local plates. There is no particular known reason for the Y, though some believe the ACT was allocated Y simply because it is a smaller jurisdiction. Others think it relates to the Y-plan of Canberra.
