What cars can be imported to Australia?

What cars can be imported to Australia is controlled by the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 and the Register of Approved Vehicles. Generally, you can import three main categories. First, new or near-new cars that meet Australian Design Rules can be imported under the general import pathway if they are on the Register of Approved Vehicles and imported by a Registered Automotive Workshop. Most new cars from Japan, Thailand, Korea and Europe are already approved because they are sold here. Second, specialist and enthusiast vehicles under the SEVS scheme, which allows import of rare, performance or classic models not sold in Australia, such as Nissan Skyline GT-R, Toyota Supra, Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, US pickup trucks like RAM and Chevrolet Silverado, and Japanese kei cars, provided they meet age, performance or rarity criteria. Third, cars 25 years or older can be imported under the older vehicle scheme with relaxed ADR requirements, making it easy to import classic Japanese, American and European cars from the 1990s and earlier. You can also import a car you have owned and used overseas for at least 12 months as a personal import. All imports must have asbestos-free documentation, pass biosecurity cleaning, and be inspected by a Registered Automotive Workshop. Electric vehicles can be imported but must meet high-voltage safety compliance. You cannot import cars with major structural damage, and left-hand drive cars generally must be converted to right-hand drive unless they are over 30 years old or on conditional registration. Import taxes of 5% duty, 10% GST and Luxury Car Tax still apply.