If you thought Queensland’s massive rego price hikes were bad news, buckle up — Western Australia and New South Wales are joining the party.
In 2025, drivers in WA and NSW are being slugged with fresh registration fee increases, adding yet another blow to the budget of Aussie travellers and road trippers.
Here’s what you need to know — and how smart travellers are adapting.
What’s Happening With Rego Fees?
🚗 Queensland
- Registration fees jumped by up to 23% for some vehicle classes in early 2025.
- Heavy vehicles and trailers were hit hardest.
- Queensland Government cited inflationary pressures as the cause — but many locals feel blindsided.
🚗 Western Australia
- WA’s 2025 state budget revealed a 5–7% rego increase across most vehicle types.
- Plus: Motor injury insurance premiums are also set to climb.
- The WA Government says it’s needed to “support infrastructure funding” — but drivers see it as another cost-of-living squeeze.
🚗 New South Wales
- NSW introduced tiered rego hikes based on vehicle emissions and weight.
- Larger SUVs, utes, and caravans are facing up to $150 more in annual fees.
- The policy is being sold as an “eco-incentive,” but for travellers and tradies, it’s just another added cost.
“Between fuel, tolls, and rego hikes, it feels like they’re making it harder and harder for Aussies to hit the road.”
— WikiPubs Community Member
What It Means for Aussie Travellers
If you’re planning a road trip, a van life adventure, or even just weekend pub camping missions, these rego increases all add up.
You’ll need to budget a little more for:
- Annual registration renewals
- Towing a caravan, camper trailer, or boat
- Larger vehicles (4WDs, dual cab utes, vans)
And for many — especially grey nomads and travelling families — these extra costs could mean fewer trips, shorter holidays, or skipping big ticket destinations.
Smart Ways to Save and Still Hit the Road
✅ Base your trips around free or low-cost camping pubs (you’ll save $40–$80 per night easily!)
✅ Travel shorter distances and explore deeper in one region instead of zigzagging huge distances.
✅ Look for toll-free routes (check out our Toll-Free Pub Trails)
✅ Use loyalty fuel apps and supermarket discounts to claw back fuel costs.
✅ Consider lighter setups — heavy vehicles = higher rego and insurance!
Don’t Let It Stop You — Just Travel Smarter
Yes, rego prices are up.
Yes, fuel is brutal.
But Australia’s country towns, historic pubs, and wild landscapes are still worth exploring.
With a bit of smart planning, you can still road trip, camp, and pub-hop across Australia without draining your wallet.
👉 Find free pub camping spots now at WikiPubs.com.au
👉 Download our free “Top 20 Free Camping Pubs” guide — your new best mate on the road.
Final Word
The costs of hitting the road might be climbing — but the freedom, the friendships, and the fireside yarns you’ll find at Aussie pubs?
Still absolutely priceless.
