Motor vehicle dealer and repairer licences
Motor vehicle dealers and motor vehicle repairers need a licence to operate in the ACT. That means you need a licence if you are a person who:
- deals in, buys, sells or exchanges motor vehicles as a business, or
- buying and selling motor vehicles from any person and selling them to dealers or financiers, or
- performs repairs on motor vehicles and their parts as a business.
If you have a licence in another state or territory, you may be eligible to work in the ACT under the Automatic Mutual Recognition Scheme.
Read about automatic mutual recognition.
Traders licences
Under the Traders (Licensing) Act 2016 Access Canberra is responsible for licensing motor vehicle dealers and motor vehicle repairers.
Apply for a traders licence
Individuals, partnerships, corporations and associations can apply for a traders licence.
You can choose from a 1-year or 5-year licence.
Applying as an individual or partnership
- Use the Application for Motor Vehicle Sale, Motor Vehicle Repairer, Second-Hand Dealer and Pawnbroker Licences form.
- Upload:
- for all applicants, 2 current proof of identity documents. One needs to be a primary proof of identity and include a photograph of the applicant
- for all applicants, a name-only police check certificate.
- Complete the declaration.
- Pay the fee.
Applying as a corporation or association
- Use the Application for Motor Vehicle Sale, Motor Vehicle Repairer, Second-Hand Dealer and Pawnbroker Licences form.
- Upload:
- a current company extract issued by ASIC (issued within 30 days of applying) or Certificate of incorporation
- for each company director or committee member, 2 current proof of identity documents including one with a photograph
- for each company director or committee member, a name-only police check certificate.
- Complete the declaration.
- Pay the fee.
Access Canberra will contact you if we have any questions about your application or answers in the declaration.
Once approved, your licence will be emailed to you for printing if you wish.
Your details will be listed in the relevant public register, as well as the Trader licences register.
Renew your traders licence
Use the Application for Motor Vehicle Sale, Motor Vehicle Repairer, Second-Hand Dealer and Pawnbroker Licences form and pay the fee.
Update or transfer your licence
If you need to change your contact or premises details, or want to transfer your licence to someone else, you can do it online.
Update or transfer your traders licence
Surrender your traders licence
You can surrender your licence by writing to Access Canberra advising you are surrendering your licence. You can write by:
- post to Commissioner for Fair Trading, GPO Box 158, Canberra City ACT 2601.
- email to citl@act.gov.au
If you printed a physical copy of your licence, attach it to your statement. The Commissioner will respond to you in writing confirming your licence is cancelled.
Fees
| Trader category | 2023-24 fees | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year licence | 5 year licence | |
| Application for issue or renewal of a motor vehicle dealer, wholesaler or car market operator trader licence | $744.00 | $3,365.00 |
| Application for issue or renewal of a motor vehicle dealer, wholesaler or car market operator event trader licence for 10 days in 1 year | $78.00 | N/A |
| Application for issue or renewal of a motor vehicle repairer trader licence | $371.00 | $1,681.00 |
| Application for issue or renewal of a second-hand dealer or pawnbroker trader licence | $173.00 | $786.00 |
| Application for issue or renewal of a second-hand dealer trader licence for 10 days in 1 year | $78.00 | N/A |
Fees current from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.