Vehicles imported under the personal imports scheme, amendment to the vehicle quota

The personal imports scheme allows migrants settling in Australia, and expatriate Australian citizens returning permanently to Australia after a long period overseas, to bring their personal vehicles with them.

Applicants may only import one vehicle (under the scheme) every 5 years.

Purpose of the amendment

This change to the vehicle quota was introduced by the Australian Government under the Motor Vehicle Standards Amendment Regulations 2009 (No. 1).  The change was implemented via an amendment to paragraph 13(1)(e) of the Motor Vehicle Standards Regulations 1989, please see item 14 of the Amending Regulations.  The purpose of the amendment is to more accurately focus the personal imports scheme onto the original policy intent.

Previously, the scheme had been open to expatriate Australians regularly importing a vehicle every year whilst remaining overseas. These vehicles by-passed normal certification arrangements.  The amendment is designed to prevent abuse of the scheme without impacting upon genuine migrants and expatriate Australians returning to Australia after spending long periods of time overseas.

Transitional arrangement

The amendment will commence on 18 November 2010 after a 12 month transitional provision.

The Amending Regulations are available from Comlaw.  You can download a copy of the regulations and the Explanatory Statement describing the effect of the change.

A consolidated version of the Motor Vehicle Standards Regulations 1989 is available from Comlaw.