Australia license plate (AUS) in 2026 ✅
Australian car number plates vary from state to state, with each state issuing its own design. License plates from Australia usually display a slogan at the top or bottom. They may display a logo or a drawing of an important event or organisation within the territory. Find out all the details about Australian license plates below.
Language: English
International code: AUS
In Australia they drive on the left
First plate was registered on: 1903~.
There are 7 1 7 cars per 1000 inhabitants.
Continent: Oceania
Table of contents of Australia license plates
Current Australian license plates
Current Australian license plates are issued independently by each state, with different characteristics and configurations. In most cases, plates last for the entire lifetime of the vehicle, although sometimes a license plate must be replaced or changed. Australian license plates are known for using a plate type and character style that is unique in the world of car registration plates. Some Oceanian countries also use this system or are based on it. Below we explain how license plates work in each Australian state and in every territory dependent on Australia. You can also check the types and specifications of license plates issued at national level. The standard size of Australian license plates is 372 mm wide by 134 mm high.
License plates of all Australian states
This table shows the full list of license plates from all Australian states, along with additional relevant information and a link to detailed explanations and previous registration systems.
| Code | Territory In Spanish ↑ In English ↓ |
Capital | Federal plate | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA | Australia del Sur South Australia |
Adelaide | S |  |
| WA | Australia Occidental Western Australia |
Perth | W | 
|
| NSW | Nueva Gales del Sur New South Wales |
Sydney | N |  |
| QLD | Queensland | Brisbane | Q |  |
| TAS | Tasmania | Hobart | T |  |
| ACT | Territorio de la Capital Australiana Australian Capital Territory |
Canberra | A |  |
| NT | Territorio del Norte Northern Territory |
Darwin | C |  |
| VIC | Victoria | Melbourne | V |  |
Interstate Australian license plates
In addition to the license plates issued by each state, Australia also has several types of interstate license plates, meaning they are valid throughout the entire national territory. These are special or military-related vehicle registration plates.
Federal Interstate Registration Plate (until 2018)
Federal Interstate Registration Scheme plates (FIRS Federal Interstate Registration Scheme) were used between 1986 and July 2018. These license plates were valid for circulation across several states. Their design featured green characters on a yellow background. The first letter identified the state, as shown in the fourth column of the previous regional table. The second character could be T for trailers, V for standard vehicles, or X for vehicles carrying exceptional loads. They were mainly used by vehicles weighing more than 4.5 tonnes.
Heavy vehicle license plate (since 2018)
With the end of the FIRS federal interstate registration system, a new heavy vehicle license plate was introduced in July 2018. This registration plate uses black characters on a white background and is used in all Australian states except Western Australia. At the bottom, on a horizontal blue band, the text NATIONAL HEAVY VEHICLE is displayed. The format consists of a letter identifying the vehicle type (X for trucks and Y for trailers), followed by a letter identifying the state.
Australian military license plate
Australian military license plates have their own distinctive design and registration system, using black characters on a white background, with the text ARMY displayed at the top. The configuration depends on several factors, but in general, when the first letter is A it identifies the Army. The first two numbers indicate the year of registration. Therefore, a plate such as A22000 would be the first army vehicle registered in 2022.
Australian diplomatic corps license plate
Although some states and territories use their own consular license plates, diplomatic corps license plates remain standardized nationwide. They are characterized by black characters on a blue background and are issued by the ACT Australian Capital Territory government. The configuration begins with two letters, which can be DC for diplomatic staff, DX for embassy-related personnel, or OI for international organizations. This is followed by a sequence of 4 or 5 numbers, where the first two or three identify the country or organization.
Diplomatic Corps codes currently in use
These are some of the codes used on Australian diplomatic corps license plates.
| Code-Country | ||
|---|---|---|
| 42-Russia | 53-Argentina | 57-Portugal |
| 67-Finland | 69-United Kingdom | 80-Spain |
| 89-New Zealand | 95-Colombia | |
Electric or gas-powered vehicles
Vehicles that run on autogas or compressed natural gas are required to display a red plate or sticker with the white text "LPG". This sticker may be placed in different areas of the license plate depending on the state or territory.
Australian license plates by state in detail
As mentioned in previous sections, Australia currently uses a completely different vehicle registration system for each state and territory. Below we explain in greater detail the Australian car license plates used state by state.
South Australia license plates
Current South Australia license plates (since 2009) use black characters on a white background. At the bottom of the plate, the text SOUTH AUSTRALIA is displayed, with a configuration consisting of the letter S followed by three numbers, a hyphen, and three letters.
Previous South Australia license plate systems
Earlier South Australia license plates initially used white characters on a black background with the letters SA. In 1967, a black-on-white system was introduced with three letters and three numbers. From 1981 to 2009, the design changed while the numbering system remained the same. The text SA·The Festival State was added at the bottom of the plate, with an Australian magpie (pied butcherbird) shown on a yellow background between the texts.
Western Australia license plates
Western Australia license plates are characterized by blue characters on a white background. At the top, the text WESTERN AUSTRALIA and a sun symbol are displayed. Since 1997, the format consists of one number, three letters, and three numbers.
New South Wales license plates
New South Wales license plates are characterized by black characters on a yellow background, with the text NEW SOUTH WALES displayed at the bottom of the plate. Since 2004, the format consists of two letters, two numbers, and two letters. The design has remained the same since 1996, although earlier plates used three letters and three numbers.
Queensland license plates
Current Queensland license plates are characterized by red characters and a red border on a white background. At the bottom of the plate, the text QUEENSLAND - SUNSHINE STATE is displayed. Since 2021, the format consists of three numbers followed by a group of two letters and one serial number. From 2002 to 2021, the design was the same but used a configuration of three numbers and three letters. Special plates use different character combinations.
Special license plates in Queensland
As with every state and territory, special Queensland license plates follow a similar system to standard plates, with some variations. In this case, the position of the letters is modified. For golf carts and buggies, the plates begin with the letter C followed by a series of five numbers. This type of license plate is used on Hamilton Island, where regular cars do not circulate and only these vehicles are allowed.
Queensland personalized license plates with emoji
In 2019, the Australian state of Queensland introduced a new type of personalized license plate design. These plates have been available for 495 Australian dollars (approximately 370 euros) since 2019. The configuration of Queensland emoji personalized license plates consists of five characters, including both letters and numbers. On the right side of the personalized plate, an emoji is displayed, originally available in five types and later expanded to seven in 2021. The symbols shown on these license plates are emojis, not emoticons, as emoticons are formed with characters such as :), :(, :-D...
Smiling face emoji with hands |
Face with sunglasses emoji |
Laughing smile emoji |
Heart-eyes emoji |
Smiling face emoji |
Star-eyes smiling emoji |
Winking smile emoji |
Tasmania license plates
Tasmania license plates since 2008 use blue characters and a blue border on a white background. At the bottom, the slogan "TASMANIA - Explore the possibilities" is displayed. The format consists of one letter, two numbers, and two letters. The image shown on Tasmania license plates is an illustration officially presented and used by the Government of Tasmania.
Australian Capital Territory ACT license plates
The territory where Australia’s capital city is located is the Australian Capital Territory (Australian Capital Territory), abbreviated as ACT or A.C.T. This special territory is the smallest in Australia but issues its own vehicle registration plates. Australian Capital Territory ACT license plates use blue characters on a white background and are composed of two character blocks. The first block has three letters, and the second has two numbers and one letter. The first letter of the plate is Y. At the bottom of the plate, since 2007, the text "Canberra – Celebration of a Century" is shown, matching the illustration displayed behind the first block of characters. From 2001 to 2007, the text "CANBERRA - Symbol of a Federation" was used.
Jervis Bay Territory license plate
The ACT, in addition to administratively controlling the Australian capital, also controls the Jervis Bay Territory. This was done to ensure that the ACT had access to the sea. However, it is not full control, as several Commonwealth departments manage this territory. In addition, the license plates used are almost identical to ACT plates, with minor differences. Jervis Bay license plates since 2016 have the following characteristics. At the bottom, the text "JERVIS BAY TERRITORY" is displayed. The format consists of two character blocks: the first with three letters and the second with two numbers and one letter. The first letter is Y and the second is J. At the top of the plate, ACT is displayed. Distinct Jervis Bay license plates have existed since 1995.
Northern Territory license plates
Northern Territory license plates since 2011 use red characters on a white background. The format consists of two letters, two numbers, and two letters, starting with CA·00·AA. At the bottom of the plate, the text "N.T. OUTBACK AUSTRALIA" is displayed. Previously, plates consisted of two groups of three numbers.
Other special license plates in the Northern Territory
The Northern Territory uses license plates with different colors and formats for various special vehicle categories. The general scheme divides the plate into two parts. On the left, letters identify the vehicle type, and on the right, only serial numbers are shown.
Northern Territory trailer license plates begin with the letter A followed by four numbers. In small print, on the left side, the letter T is shown. Personalized license plates are permitted and may have reduced dimensions.
Victoria license plates
Victoria license plates have undergone several changes over recent decades in terms of design and slogan. Currently, plates use blue characters on a white background and a slightly different typeface compared to the rest of Australia. The format consists of two character blocks, each made up of one number and one letter. At the top, an inverted blue triangle displaying the letters VIC (from VICtoria) has been shown since 2016. This character configuration has been used since 2013, previously showing VIC - STAY ALERT STAY ALIVE. In 2016, the triangle that previously displayed the Southern Cross stars was replaced by VIC.
CURRENT
Old Victoria license plates
As in other territories, older Victoria license plates used different formats, especially in color schemes. The configuration was always three letters and three numbers. As shown in the images below, the bottom slogan varied over time. The slogan NUCLEAR FREE STATE was also used between 1984 and 1992.
Special Victoria license plates
As in every Australian state, special license plates use a different design. Historic vehicles use plates with white characters on a red background. At the top, the text CLUB PERMIT is displayed.
License plates of other territories under Australian control
Australia currently has several territories under its control and administration, with varying degrees of independence and self-government.
In Western Australia, there is a territory without international recognition known as the Principality of Hutt River, which issues its own vehicle registration plates based on the former system of the surrounding territory. These plates begin with the letters HRP. It is unknown whether vehicles with these license plates are allowed to circulate outside the boundaries of this territory, although all indications suggest that they are not.
☛ Which code identifies cars from Australia?
The code AUS identifies Australia. The license plates of Australia may be used with the international registration code AUS next to it on the back part of the car.
Example of a car with the international recognition code of Australia
Below you can find a car with the oval code and international recognition of Australia which is AUS.
Questions and answers about car license plates in Australia 🥇
Where is the code AUS in a license plate from?
The international code AUS identifies Australia, in Oceania.
Which country uses the code AUS on its license plate?
The country that uses the code AUS on its car license plate system is Australia.. The letter or letters AUS always identify Australia. The international code AUS must always be displayed on the rear of the vehicle inAustraliaSpain in an oval in black characters on a white background when travelling abroad, except in very rare cases.
When did Australia have its first ordinary car license plate?
The date of the first car license plate registration officially issued in Australia was in 1903~.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Australia?
In Australia, you drive on the left side of the road.
On which continent is Australia located?
Australia is located in the continent . You can check how are the license plates of Oceania following the link to the general section within matriculasdelmundo. Car license plates in Oceania
What are license plates from Australia called in other English-speaking couuntries?
In English, license plate of Australia is commonly called a license plate of Australia in the United States and Canada. In the UK and Australia, it’s often known as a number plate of Australia. Another term, registration plate of Australia, is understood globally and is slightly more formal. All these terms refer to the same vehicle identification plate of Australia, with usage varying by country. Car plate of Australia can be used in more technical situations.
Is it the same a license plate of Australia and a registration plate of Australia?
Yes, both license plate of Australia and registration plate of Australia can be used to refer the same vehicle registration unique number of Australia.
Cite this section about the license plates of Australia
Matriculasdelmundo. License plates of Australia. Reviewed and updated information. Matriculasdelmundo.com. Retrieved on 08/01/2026 from https://
License plates from other states and territories that you may be interested in:
Map of the Australia license plates
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Official Sources on License Plates of Australia
All the information about the license plates of cars and motorcycles in Australia and vehicle plates shown here has been extracted from official state archives (such as the BOE and the DGT in Spain), from personal sightings, by contacting automobile clubs from other countries, or through media or files referenced in the text. This information on car and motorcycle plates in Australia has been collected since 2009, so we hope you find the information you're looking for about Australia license plates.
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