Vehicle Import Approval to Australia: How the Application Process Works

To import a vehicle into Australia, you must obtain a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) from the Australian Government before shipping. The approval confirms the vehicle is eligible to enter Australia under a specific import pathway, but it does not cover customs clearance, biosecurity inspection, or registration.

There aren’t as many restrictions on vehicles shipping to Australia as in some other countries, such as the USA, but there are still important processes that must be followed.

This guide explains how the Vehicle Import Approval process works, what it allows, and the most common reasons applications are delayed or refused.

Do You Need a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) to Import a Car to Australia?

Yes, before shipping a car, motorbike or any other vehicle to Australia, you will need to have a Vehicle Import Approval from the Australian Government. This is obtained by applying online, and eligibility is dependent on the vehicle’s age, type and import pathway, not how or when it will be shipped.

How to Apply for a Vehicle Import Approval for Australia

To get a Vehicle Import Approval from the Australian Department of Infrastructure, you will need to complete the application on the government’s ROVER portal (Road Vehicle Regulator). ROVER is the official Australian Government system used to manage vehicle import approvals. The steps you will need to take include;

• creating an account and profile on the ROVER portal
• securely uploading identification documents
• providing details of your vehicle, including make, model and year
• deciding on the correct Approved Import Pathway
• pay the application fee (between AU$50 – AU$100, depending on the import pathway)

Once you have completed the application on the ROVER portal, the approval typically takes around 20 working days, although it can sometimes take up to 60 days for complex cases. Please plan ahead so that you apply for the VIA in good time before your shipping dates, as you will not be able to ship your vehicle until your approval has been granted.

What is an Approved Import Pathway?

An approved import pathway in Australia is the category under which a vehicle is assessed for import approval, and it sets the conditions that must be met depending on what the vehicle is and why it is being imported.

For individual importers, the most commonly used pathways are;

Personal Import Scheme

The Personal Import Scheme in Australia applies when a vehicle is being imported as part of a relocation to Australia. Requirements are;

• proof of vehicle ownership of over 12 months
• proof of residency overseas
• proof of permanent relocation to Australia

25-Year Rule

Under Australia’s 25-Year Rule, vehicles 25 years old or more do not need to meet the strict modern compliance requirements for safety and emissions. For more details take a look at our blog Australia’s 25-Year Import Rule: A Classic Car Shipping Guide.

Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles (SEVS)

The SEVS (Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme) in Australia is used for specific makes and models of vehicles that are deemed to be unique or rare and not sold new in Australia, and this is managed under a separate eligibility list. Details can be found on the Australian Department of Infrastructure website under Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles.

Non-Road and Special Purpose Vehicles

For vehicles not intended for standard road use, including certain off-road, agricultural or industrial vehicles, and Motorsport, exhibition or demonstration vehicles. These are assessed based on intended use and configuration, and it must be declared that registration for road use is not intended.

Only one pathway is used for a single application, and choosing the wrong pathway is a common cause of delays or refusal. The approval is assessed against the declared pathway only, which is why understanding which is the correct one for your own situation is very important to know. Please check with us at Autoshippers and we can help you to decide which is the correct import pathway for you.

What a Vehicle Import Approval Does, and Doesn’t, Cover

When a Vehicle Import Approval is granted, the vehicle becomes eligible to be recorded on the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV), which confirms it can be imported into Australia under the approved pathway. This does not affect any Customs clearance or registration of your vehicle once it arrives.

To clarify, the approval doesn’t remove the requirement for any biosecurity inspection of cleaning, and doesn’t determine the amount of tax or duty payable once your vehicle has cleared Customs. It also doesn’t confirm that a vehicle can be registered for use on the road in Australia. These steps are assessed separately by different authorities, with their own criteria.

The approval is a permission to import only, and doesn’t give quicker access to your vehicle when it arrives in Australia.

What Happens if a Vehicle Import Approval Is Not Granted?

If a Vehicle Import Approval isn’t granted, it does not mean that the vehicle itself is prohibited from import and  isn’t allowed to be shipped to Australia, it means that the application wasn’t accepted under the import pathway that was applied for. This doesn’t mean that the vehicle can’t ever be imported and doesn’t place a permanent ban on shipping that vehicle to Australia.

In most cases, an approval isn’t granted because;

• the chosen import pathway was incorrect, or
• the information provided didn’t meet the requirements of that pathway

It is a decision on the application, and not a judgement of the vehicle.

Can You Apply Again for the Same Vehicle?

Yes, in many cases you can apply again for the same vehicle. A new application may be possible if;

• a different import pathway is used, or
• additional or corrected information can be provided

However, simply submitting the same application with the same details is unlikely to change the outcome of the approval, and applications are assessed against eligibility rules, so submitting the same details again is unlikely to change the outcome.

There will be an application fee payable each time you apply.

Could I Ship Without Getting a Vehicle Import Approval?

The short answer is no. If you do not successfully apply for a VIA your vehicle won’t be entered on the RAV. Without a valid import permit you will find that;

• your vehicle is held at port by The Australian Border Force (ABF)
• storage costs will be incurred until approval is gained
• there is a risk of extra costs for servicing
• your vehicle may be returned to the origin country at your cost

For this reason, Autoshippers require a valid VIA to be in place before booking your vehicle onto a vessel.

Key Points to Remember for a Vehicle Import Approval

• A Vehicle Import Approval is mandatory before shipping
• The approval is based on the vehicle and the import pathway
• Choosing the correct approved import pathway is critical
• A VIA does not cover Biosecurity Inspections, Customs Duties/Taxes or vehicle registration
• You should not ship until the VIA is in place

Shipping Your Car to Australia with Autoshippers

Once your Vehicle Import Approval is in place, Autoshippers can manage the full international shipping process to Australia from start to finish.

With over 28 years’ experience in vehicle shipping, we offer reliable, compliant transport services from the UK and Europe to all major Australian ports, including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Fremantle and Adelaide.

Our Australia car shipping services include:

• expert guidance on Vehicle Import Approval pathways
• secure container and roll-on roll-off (RoRo) shipping options
• pre-shipment checks and export documentation
• coordination with Australian agents on arrival
• advice on biosecurity cleaning and inspection requirements

We work closely with our customers to ensure vehicles are shipped only once the correct approvals are in place, helping to avoid delays, storage charges, or compliance issues on arrival.

Whether you are relocating permanently, importing a classic car, or shipping a specialist or enthusiast vehicle, our team can guide you through each step of the process and keep you informed throughout the shipment.

If you are planning to ship a vehicle to Australia and need advice on the Vehicle Import Approval process or shipping options, Autoshippers are here to help.

Vehicle Import Approval to Australia – Common Questions

How much does it cost:

Most applications will be submitted through the most common Personal Effects Pathway and the fees are:

• Personal Effects (Standard): $50.
• Older Vehicles (25+ years): $35.

Payments need to be made through ROVER. When you submit your application ROVER will prompt you to pay via the online payment system. The department currently accepts payments via credit/debit card (Visa or MasterCard). If no payment is made after 60 days you will be sent a reminder email. Once payment is confirmed your application will proceed to assessment and the status will be updated to ‘In progress’. Applications are not complete until the application fee has been paid and will not be considered until your payment has been received.

What is the ROVER portal, and who runs it?

ROVER is the Australian Government’s Road Vehicle Regulator system, managed by the Department of Infrastructure. It is the only platform used to submit Vehicle Import Approval applications and supporting documents.

Can someone apply for a Vehicle Import Approval on my behalf?

Yes. A third party, such as a shipping agent or relocation company, can assist with the application, but the importer remains legally responsible for the accuracy of the information provided.

Does a Vehicle Import Approval expire?

Vehicle Import Approvals generally remain valid for a limited period. If the vehicle is not shipped within the approval window, a new application may be required.

Is a separate approval required for motorcycles or modified vehicles?

Yes. Motorcycles, heavily modified vehicles, and non-standard vehicles still require approval and must meet the conditions of an appropriate import pathway.

Will Australian Border Force issue a Vehicle Import Approval at the port?

No. Vehicle Import Approvals must be granted before shipping and cannot be issued retrospectively once the vehicle has arrived.