Are personalised plates worth the money?

We've all had a smile or a cringe at personalised number plates we've come across in our travels.

They're now a fixture on Australian roads after most states and territories introduced them in the 1980s to generate some extra income from motorists choosing to express their individuality.

According to surveys, around one in five Australian vehicles have personalised number plates. It seems they're more a thing in some states than others with around one in four Queensland vehicles having personalised plates compared to one in ten in the Northern Territory.

How much do personalised number plates cost?

The fees vary wildly between the states and territories. Some charge annual fees for the privilege of having personalised number plates while most apply widely varying one-off fees at the time of purchase only. One - South Australia - levies a combination, depending on which style of personalised plate you choose. 

Different fees also apply should you choose to restyle your current number/letter combination or opt for a look outside your state or territory's standard issue. In general terms, the more customisation or prestige you're wanting to display, the more you can expect to pay. 

Personalised number plate costs by state

Here's a rundown of costs for personalised car number plates by state and territory, as at July 2026. (Note: All costs are on top of standard annual vehicle registration costs.)

While NSW's one-off costs may seem in the ball park with other parts of Australia, it's important to consider the impact of annual fees. With the average Aussie now holding onto their vehicles for 11 years, the most basic personalised plate in NSW will add another $1,463 to the cost of owning the car. If you go for the more customised option, it will add close to $5,500. 

It's also worth noting the rather steep charges on the table above apply to so-called premium/ prestige or heritage-style plates (more on these below) in the states/territories that offer them. Other styles typically attracting higher fees include car make number plates, e.g. Holden and Ford, and those featuring colours and motifs of sporting teams.

More on heritage plates

'Heritage' number plates were the first official number plates issued by each state and territory, some dating back to the early 1900s through to the 1950s. These are typically black and white numeral-only plates where lower numbers denote the earlier-issued plates.

These plates are an asset class in their own right and the rights to display them can be bought and sold for considerable sums via state-approved trading platforms or auction houses.

Some recent sales of highly valued single-digit or low-numbered plates in Australia have fetched in the millions of dollars.

At the time of writing, Queensland is issuing heritage-style plates with the original Q prefix followed by up to six digits - not technically a heritage plate but still setting purchasers back $8,500.

Pros & Cons of personalised number plates

Pros

• Shows your personality: You can choose whatever you wish to display (but within bounds - final approval rests with the state/territory)
• Easily recognisable: Can help you distinguish your vehicle from others of the same make/model/colour
• Aesthetic appeal: You can choose a plate to complement your car's look and feel
• May be a good investment: Low-digit heritage, historical, or certain limited-issue collections may appreciate in value if re-sold

Cons

• Cost: Personalised plates always cost more than standard-issue ones
• More identifiable: May raise privacy and tracking issues if your plate is easier to remember and identify
• Public perceptions: Some people may interpret some plates as arrogant or a sign you have too much money, making your vehicle a target 
• Can cause transfer issues: There will likely be extra steps to take if you want to sell the vehicle but keep your personalised plate

1. Savings.com.au two cents

From a money-saving perspective, it is certainly not the best strategy to pay more than you have to for car number plates.

This is especially the case if you're in New South Wales or South Australia, paying annual fees for the privilege of expressing yourself with customised plates.

So, the verdict from Savings.com.au is, of course: don't do it. But that doesn't take into account the motivations and aspirations of individual motorists who value putting their own signature on their beloved vehicles.

Far be it from us to remind you that you're throwing your money away, unless you happen to snap up an investment-class heritage plate that may fund your retirement somewhere down the track. In that case, go for it.

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