About Victoria

[xALmoN]

Hi,

My name's Alvin and i come from Singapore, but i will be coming to Victoria to study at RMIT in about 3months time for about 5 years.

So, because cars in singapore are ridiculously expensive, i have decided to get a car here while i study. I'm torn between a skyline, either a r32 or a r33 gts or a 300zx. They are all beautiful cars. I know you guys would definitely recommend the skyline.

I'm confused about rwc and rego. Do i need the car to be roadworthy before i and extend the registration of a car?

I was told the rwc is needed only when i'm buying a new car, is that true?

And whats are the petrol prices like now over in Vic? When i was in rockhampton, around october/november, the prices were like +- 1.20/L.

Oh yes, and i will be living in Blackburn.

Cheers.

[n/aTurbo]

Hi there Alvin, first welcome to SAU.

Now about your question. Ive decided it would be better just to give you a few web links rather than give u a direct answer myself. Reason being is im not 100% positive.

This website is VicRoads. They are Victoria's road and traffic authority and deal with car registrations and the buying and selling of a vehicle.

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/

Introduction to Registration

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Registration/

Buying and Selling

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Regist.../BuyingSelling/

Also the fuel prices in Victoria at the moment vary between $1.05 to $1:38. This all depends on the area you choose to fill up, the kind of fuel you are going to be using (92oct, 95oct, 98oct, etc) and also the time when you fill up. For me its generally cheaper on Tuesdays than any other times of the week.

Well i hope ive helped in any way. If anyone else has any suggestions or answers plz speak up as i do not know alot myself.

[saff_cossie]

Good links and post ^^

Is the car currently in your name? RWC are required at change of ownership either from the buyer or seller with a period of 30 days given to get that RWC in once the car has been purchased. Most people sell the car with the RWC rather than ask the new buyer to organise it incase any work is required, it can then be factored into the sale price as the last thing the new buyer wants is to shell out more money to get the car on the road.

Petrol prices currently are around the $1.10 per litre for 91 RON up to about $1.38 for 98 RON which I paid yesterday.

[xALmoN]

Those are great links. Thanks.

They were of great use to me.

I now understand that to renew my registration, there is no need for RWC. RWC only comes into play when i'm getting a new car.

Now, i'm not here yet, but soon i will be, and what kind of registration rates do i have to pay for a r32 gts?

I guess thats the only skyline i can afford right now, not counting the r31s.

Petrol in Australia is about 10% cheaper than in singapore i guess. We pay around 1.60/L for 98RON fuel.

Considering our currencies are almost equal in value now.

And one more thing.

I'm coming here as a student, will i have to do a license conversion or can i drive with my singaporean license throughout my tenure as a student.

Thanks a lot for your patience, as i wish to get familiarised before i come, to understand how things work so that i won't screw up.

Edited April 1, 2009 by xALmoN

[joeyjoejoejuniorshabadoo]

you will need RWC to change car into your name

[shaun123]

hey mate,

If you are planning to buy a car here (second hand or otherwise), then you need RWC to change ownership of the car into your name. If the car is already in your name and registered, then you don't. Sounds like you will need a RWC.

Rego is about $500+-/year

Enjoy your stay in AU, blackburn is a nice area there's not much trouble etc.. on this side of town

Edited April 1, 2009 by shaun123

[Phatboy]

I now understand that to renew my registration, there is no need for RWC. RWC only comes into play when i'm getting a new car.

Now, i'm not here yet, but soon i will be, and what kind of registration rates do i have to pay for a r32 gts?

I'm coming here as a student, will i have to do a license conversion or can i drive with my singaporean license throughout my tenure as a student.

Thanks a lot for your patience, as i wish to get familiarised before i come, to understand how things work so that i won't screw up.

Hi Alvin, welcome to SAU and Victoria.

Firstly, RWC will be needed as all R32s are secondhand. If you're buying from a car dealer he organises this automatically. If you are buying privately the seller usually makes this happen - just make sure he shows you the RWC. Usually a RWC needs to be done by the seller within 30 days of selling the car, so some usually wait until you place a deposit down. Obviously, it wastes his money to get monthly RWCs if it takes a long time to sell.

If you have a full Singaporean licence (which is, I'm assuming, in English), you are allowed to register and insure a car in your name and drive it around. If you get permanent residency, you have 3 months to convert this to an Australian licence before you are not allowed to drive. But if you're not planning on getting PR, don't worry about it.

Registration rates are around the same for all cars -about $500-$600/year or so... can't remember the exact figure.

Have fun and hope to see you at some stage in the future once you get the skyline. 300zx's are welcome here too

[Taso84]

registration is 550 per year + add on another $500 for expected fines per year as you will be nabbed for doing 3k's over the limit at least a few times. Eventually u will learn where the speed cameras are though.

If i were u mate, id seriously reconsider calling Victoria home. Driving laws here are Draconian to say the very least.

Sydney/Qld is a more reasonable choice.

Edited April 2, 2009 by Taso84

[xALmoN]

Well, if you were to compare the Victorian traffic laws vs the Singaporean traffic laws, i would say there wouldn't be much of a difference. Just that in singapore, we're allowed +20km/h on the prevailing speed limit. Singaporean laws on car modifications only allows cosmetic changes, anything else and the fine is hardcore, that is, if one gets caught.

And yes, i've got a full Singaporean license. For us, its only 1yr on our P's.

Whats the limit on highways in Vic?

[ujin]

hi. i m new to this forum and i m from singapore as well. i just bought a r32 gtr. nice to know there will b another skyline around the eastern suburb. lol wad do u drive in sg? and yea. IF u buy a 2nd hand car WITH rego, u will need a RWC. road tax here is way way cheaper thank in singapore. and fuel works out to be the same. looking forward to see fellow skylines at meetups! Oh and reguarding speeding, Vic is tough on them. watch out for school zones and unmarked cop cars (both on the road and stationary). speed limits on highways r 100kmph.

cheers

Edited April 2, 2009 by ujin

[Phatboy]

I still get confused, but I think in Australia we call 100 kph or 110 kph country roads "freeways" and the "highways" here are usually 70 or 80 kph.

These are reflected in the name eg., Eastern Fwy 100pkh, Burwood Hwy 70kph. What's confusing is that some freeways also have highway in the name in other places eg., Princes Hwy/Fwy.

Basically speed limits are well signed. No sign = 50 kph. Also watch out for tollroads eg., Citylink.

[llama_au]

Registration cost varies dependant on the suburb. It has nothing to do with the car you drive like in other countries. Mine was $598 this year, yours would be about the same in Blackburn.

Welcome mate.

[xALmoN]

hi. i m new to this forum and i m from singapore as well. i just bought a r32 gtr. nice to know there will b another skyline around the eastern suburb. lol wad do u drive in sg? and yea. IF u buy a 2nd hand car WITH rego, u will need a RWC. road tax here is way way cheaper thank in singapore. and fuel works out to be the same. looking forward to see fellow skylines at meetups! Oh and reguarding speeding, Vic is tough on them. watch out for school zones and unmarked cop cars (both on the road and stationary). speed limits on highways r 100kmph.

cheers

Ujin

Nice to know there's a fellow Singaporean in Victoria too. Still serving my NS liability, and i will ORD on 15th June. Will be flying off from Singapore on the 25th of June, since my semester starts in July 14th. Are you studying in Australia too? And how much did you pay for your R32 GTR?

I drive either my dad's Renault Megane CC or my Renault Clio 1.6A shared with my sister in Sg. Yes, my dad is a major Renault fan.

And a very big thank you to all for all the usefull information provided. I really look forward to meeting you guys in Victoria when i can finally afford a R32 GTS-T. I currently only have about 3k in AUD, so i'm still really really short.

Edited April 6, 2009 by xALmoN

[ujin]

Ujin

Nice to know there's a fellow Singaporean in Victoria too. Still serving my NS liability, and i will ORD on 15th June. Will be flying off from Singapore on the 25th of June, since my semester starts in July 14th. Are you studying in Australia too? And how much did you pay for your R32 GTR?

I drive either my dad's Renault Megane CC or my Renault Clio 1.6A shared with my sister in Sg. Yes, my dad is a major Renault fan.

And a very big thank you to all for all the usefull information provided. I really look forward to meeting you guys in Victoria when i can finally afford a R32 GTS-T. I currently only have about 3k in AUD, so i'm still really really short.

where will u be studying? well i bought my car at a pretty high price. put it as its a good platform for me to achieve my setup. lol. modding cars is ENDLESS spending i m sure everyone here knows abt tis already..

[xALmoN]

where will u be studying? well i bought my car at a pretty high price. put it as its a good platform for me to achieve my setup. lol. modding cars is ENDLESS spending i m sure everyone here knows abt tis already..

Will be studying in RMIT, will do foundation year first, then on to chemical engineering.

But first, i'll need to part time job to be able to get my car.

[Phatboy]

Will be studying in RMIT, will do foundation year first, then on to chemical engineering.

But first, i'll need to part time job to be able to get my car.

Or just get a loan. With low interest rates, not a bad choice if you're desperate for a car. And when you graduate you should have no probs getting a job to pay it back.

That said, it sucks to have a loan hanging over your head before you enter the workforce.

[saff_cossie]

^^ No credit history to get a loan and on a student visa, I don't fancy the chances

[xALmoN]

Yeah, i'm not exactly keen on taking a loan, and i'm not all that desperate for a car.

Before i get my own, i'll have a honda accord to drive around, till my girlfriend gets her license anyway.