Vehicle registration plates of Australia

In the early 1950s, a uniform scheme for vehicle registration plates was developed, which was to apply across all states and territories.

Previously, both New South Wales and Victoria had issued plates with two letters and three digits, in white on a black background.

However, that was not entirely popular, and some states and territories preferred to have their own identity reflected on their registration plates.

In 1974, Victoria, having reserved the Maa-nnn series for state government vehicle registrations, extended its numbering from LZZ-999 to IAA-000, with the letter I no longer being avoided.

FIRS plates are issued by state authorities on behalf of the Commonwealth, and carry the format as specified by the Interstate Road Transport Regulations 1986 – Reg 21.

As most interstate transport companies are based on the East Coast, the majority of FIRS plates are registered in NSW and VIC.

Northern Territory started using National Heavy Vehicle Plates and abolished the rego stickers effective on 1 August 2019.

The format now in use are: FB-12AA in Black on white reflection base, and blue band legend with the words NATIONAL HEAVY VEHICLE imprinted on it.

[7][8][9][10][11][12] In 2014, Randwick councillor Charles Matthews proposed to impose a $50 registration fee on bicycle riders, which would be used to help fund cycleways being built by the council.

Under Part 10 of the Australian Light Vehicle Standards Rules 2015,[16] vehicles powered by fuels other than petrol or diesel (collectively alternative fuel systems) must always display a specific plate that is affixed to both the front and rear number plates.

[17] These labels exist to assist emergency services personnel in responding to potential hazards involving such vehicles.

Generally, such labels are applied permanently to the registration plate by way of pop rivets or other mechanical fixtures.

[18] LPG, LNG or CNG vehicles with more than one tank of that type are required to have one additional diamond attached to the front and back number plates.

[17] Hydrogen or electric powered vehicles built or converted before 1 January 2019 are still subject to relevant state-based standards for their labelling.

Electric-powered passenger cars and hybrid vehicles registered before 4 October 2020 were required to display a different style of label.

Only New South Wales and Victoria chose to use their state base colours rather than the standard black on reflective white, with the use of red embossed Z prefix.

[20] Other Commonwealth fleet cars for official transport carry "C of A" plates in the form C-nnn.

The Governor-General's official cars do not carry registration plates, but simply depict a representation of the St Edward's Crown.

The numbers then correlated to the length of time the particular diplomatic mission had been in Canberra and the British High Commissioner's car carried the plate D.C.1 The replacement arrangement is more egalitarian.

All other states have abolished registration labels for light and heavy vehicles: Custom plates issuing authorities:

Federal Interstate
National Heavy Vehicle
Green hybrid diamond sticker on a Victorian registered car
Australian Military Forces number plate. Issued to Australian Army vehicles until 1972
Latter style number plate used on Army vehicles from 1972.
From 1989 to 2002, Army plates included a "Date of Purchase" prefix. In this example, 1992.
From 1989 to 2002, Army plates included a "Date of Purchase" prefix. Starting in 1993, a slogan was added.
Australian Defence Organisation registration plate.The F prefix denotes Forklift
This style of number plate was used by Royal Australian Air Force vehicles from about 1971 to 2000
RAAF number plate. this style was introduced in about 2000.
Chief of Army plate
Commonwealth of Australia
A motorcade transporting senior members of the official party to an event in Canberra on 21 November 2009. The black car, at left, with the number plate ADF1, carried the Chief of the Defence Force; the white car behind it, with the number plate C1, carried the Prime Minister; and the black car, second from the right, carried the Governor-General.
Diplomatic Corps number plate from the Ambassador of Greece in the current colour scheme.