"That's another fine pickle you've got into, Ollie".

Is the vehicle capable of being made to meet Australian Design Rules, the vehicle has to comply with the ADRs as at the date of build on the VIN plate. Sometimes the cost of compliance is so great that its just not worth it and the crushing option becomes a good one. You can download the ADRs from Dept of Infrastructure website, there are quite a few editions so make sure you get the ones applicable for the age of your vehicle.

A few other problems come to mind.

Lets go through the Carnet - how will you get that expunged and get your bond back? Without the vehicle leaving the country if the RAC has to dip into its wallet you will pick up the bill. How did you finance the bond? Bank security or insurance? You probably need to find out what the RAC's view is if they hold your money. Duty on a car is 10%, then 10% GST on top of the duty and the car value, plus 10% GST on the shipping costs to get the vehicle in the country - works out at about 24% is taxes. So your 4000 pound car is now worth 5000 pounds. I'm pretty sure that you pay the taxes even if the vehicle is destroyed, but double check that with customs.

Dealing with the plonkers in Canberra will be the most frustrating time you have ever had. Where customs will try to make things happen for you, the idiots in Dept of Infrastructure seem to take a great deal of pleasure in going out of their way to frustrate any other department's dispensations. Stay cool calm and collected when dealing with them - if you as much as raise your voice to them they will put the phone down on you.

The Act which allows private importation is very prescriptive and does not leave a lot of room for a public servant to use their discretion. VSB10 (weblookup) gives all the details you need. You can download a copy of the Act from the Federal Attorney General's website. Read the definitions first and then the body of the Act that deals with private imports.

You maybe able to use a loophole in the customs procedures - if the vehicle goes back into a bonded area and you can get customs to sign off the carnet, then have a VIA issued and then re-enter the vehicle using the VIA.

I do not envy you at all.