Buying vehicle in Australia
 

I'm looking to travel Australia for up to three months starting in December - January 2019. I've decided the best option is to arrive and buy a vehicle then sell it when I leave. Can anyone recommend a book or website that can help me understand what I need to know about doing this? How and where I register the vehicle, insurance, drivers permit I need, mistakes to avoid, etc. I know much of this is on the HU website somewhere if I dig enough. I just have limited time for digging!

thanks in advance

Hi Moon,
What you will find is that it is different from state to state... So you will have to decide what state you are planning on doing it and and go from there.. But Basically: all you will need is a FULL drivers licence and an address to register it to...Many hubbers are okay with them using their address as is many hostels... other then that insurance beyond 3rd party and you are off... 3rd party is including in your rego..

If you do a weblookup on "buying a vehicle in Australia" and include the State that you are arriving in. You will get the official "transport departments" viewpoint/checklists.
NSW is the hardest State to own a vehicle as it needs to have an annual vehicle roadworthy inspection, I think all of the other States only require one prior to selling.
Australia is a Federation of States - just like the USA or EU, and the laws that apply are slightly different in each State - or they use different terminology (eg RWC (roadworthy certificate), Safety Certificate, Blue Slip - all essentially the same thing).
Selling the vehicle in another State is hard if you find it hard to cope with bumbling bureaucrats, I'd accept $500 less and sell unregistered.
Prior to registering the vehicle in your name you will need to prove who you are - passport, drivers licence, credit cards, etc. PLUS something with a local address (rent receipt) which many Hubbers are happy to help out with given plenty of notice.
All of the motoring clubs offer pre purchase inspections which go well beyond the legal minimums, depends on how much you paying, often come with gurantees.
Insurance causes the biggest confusion - as part of the annual registration fee you must pay for third party injury insurance. You must buy additional insurance to cover damage that you may cause to others' property (third party property) or to cover damage to your own vehicle and others (comprehensive).
Third party injury insurance covers you in the event of an accident EXCEPT in some States if you are deemed at fault then you will be presented with a bill one day.
Drugs and alcohol immediately void your insurance.
Zero % illicit drugs whilst driving, 0.05% blood alcohol. Prescription drugs as per your doctors orders about driving.

Hi,

Just keep in mind this is the hottest time of the year in Australia, and is also the wet season in the tropical North when many lesser roads are legally closed or simply impassable. So will be limiting if you want to see real outback.

Cheers,
Brett

I´m also have the plan to go to Australia (SA) and buy a bike. But I don´t seem to find an insurance company that want to insurance a bike for me (short term) other then the third party property insurance. If I buy a bike for quite a lot of money I want to have an insurance to cover also damage, loss or theft. Any tip?

Insure for a year but choose a "pay by the month" option. Then cancel it when you sell the bike.

If you have a no claims history, bring a copy of that as it can get you a good discount from most insurers.

I just went through this and am selling the bike now.

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/pert...17?edited=true

I found it was easiest to have a friend buy the bike and insure it for me (I paid all the expenses) but was lucky I had an Aussie friend willing to do that for me. That being said, doing it myself would not have been overly difficult just give yourself some time to jump through the bureaucracy. It is even easier when you arrive in country. I think Perth (WA) is one of the easier states to buy and sell in though.

God tip. Thank you

Yes your right. I´m eventually going to do the same. Good to have good friends.
I´ve found a bike and I´m exited. (and I think I can do it without testicles even this time ;) )
Suzanne

Lol - I need an Aussie friend I guess.

Not really. If you want to buy and register (title) a bike in Australia I'd be happy to help you do it. I live in Melbourne

Another step for buying bike in Victoria
 

I just bought a bike in Melbourne (which I'll be selling in April, if you're interested) and the process was super easy. One step that helped save time was to go to VicRoads (their department of motor vehicles) before making a purchase and get a Client Number. You need an address and passport to do this. Then, when you go to transfer the registration after making a purchase the process is smooth. It took me a total of 20 minutes to do the transfer.