SA Car
Stamp Duty Calculator

A widely followed guideline is the 15% rule: keep your monthly car loan repayments below 15% of your after-tax income. For someone earning $80,000 gross per year (approximately $5,200/month after tax), that means a maximum monthly repayment of around $780. Combined with a reasonable deposit, this typically supports a purchase price in the $35,000–$45,000 range depending on the interest rate and loan term. Our Affordability Calculator above applies this exact methodology to your specific numbers.

According to AAA and RACV data, the average Australian spends between $8,000 and $14,000 per year on total car running costs, depending on the vehicle type and how many kilometres they drive. This includes fuel ($2,000–$4,000), insurance ($1,000–$2,500), servicing and repairs ($800–$1,500), registration and CTP ($700–$1,200), and depreciation ($3,000–$6,000). Our Total Cost of Ownership calculator lets you model these figures for your specific vehicle and driving habits.

As of 2025, secured car loan interest rates in Australia typically range from 6% to 10% depending on the lender, loan term, your credit score, and the age of the vehicle. New car loans from banks and credit unions generally attract rates between 6% and 8%, while used car loans or dealer finance can range from 7% to 12% or higher. We default our calculator to 7.5% as a mid-range estimate, but you should enter the specific rate quoted by your lender for the most accurate budget calculation.

New cars in Australia typically lose 15–20% of their value in the first year of ownership, and around 40–60% over five years. However, depreciation rates vary significantly by brand and model. Toyota and Mazda vehicles tend to hold value well (retaining 55–65% after five years), while luxury European brands and some Chinese imports may retain only 35–45%. Utes and popular SUVs like the HiLux and RAV4 have historically shown the strongest resale performance in the Australian market.

From a pure financial perspective, buying a 1–3 year old used car often represents the best value in Australia. You avoid the steepest first-year depreciation hit (15–20% of the new price) while still getting a relatively modern vehicle with remaining manufacturer warranty. However, buying new gives you the full factory warranty, access to capped-price servicing programs, the latest safety technology, and the certainty of a known service history. Our calculators can help you model both scenarios to see the true financial difference.

Beyond the purchase price, Australian car buyers should budget for: stamp duty (varies by state — e.g., in NSW it's a sliding scale based on value), dealer delivery fees ($500–$2,000), registration and CTP insurance ($700–$1,200/year), comprehensive insurance ($1,000–$2,500/year), and ongoing maintenance. If financing, factor in establishment fees ($200–$600) and any monthly account keeping fees. For used cars, consider a pre-purchase inspection ($200–$350) and potential near-term maintenance items like tyres or brake pads.

The savings depend on your income and the vehicle price, but they can be substantial. For someone earning $100,000 with a $50,000 EV, the FBT exemption combined with pre-tax salary sacrifice can save $5,000-$10,000+ per year compared to buying the same car outright with after-tax dollars. Use our Novated Lease Calculator above to estimate your specific savings.