For those planning on moving to Australia with a Vehicle, we have been provided with information about the Australian Vehicle Import Online Application System.
The Department of Infrastructure and Transport of Australia released the Vehicle Imports Online Application System on 1 May 2013.
The new Online Application System will minimise the need for requesting additional information from you after you have lodged your application, simplify the assessment process and optimise timeframes for making a decision on your application.
The new electronic form replaces the current forms and can be lodged directly with the Department. You will be able to select a vehicle import option or options, enter relevant details and upload supporting documentation. You can also choose to pay your application fee online (by Mastercard or Visa) through a secure online payment facility.
Access to the online form is available at:
The current paper applications https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/vehicles/importing-road-vehicle-australia forms will be completely phased out and not be accepted after 30 June 2013. Where an old form is submitted after 30 June for assessment it will not be assessed but returned to the application for resubmission on the correct form.
Payment information
You may notice that ‘DITR’ appears as the payment reference on your bank statement. ‘DITR’ is an abbreviation for the ‘Department of Infrastructure and Transport’. Vehicle Imports sits within this government department.
Payment options are set out in the application form (Credit card (visa or mastercard only) for online payments. Cheque or money order in Australian dollars from and Australian financial institution are accepted for manual payments).
Assistance
The Vehicle Imports Services Team of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport of Australia will be available to assist applicants with the Online Application Form and can provide some technical support in relation to the online form. However if the issue is with the individuals service provider or system you will need to follow this up with your own provider. Please contact the Vehicle Imports Services Team if in Australia on 1800 815 272 and select 2 at the prompt or for calls from outside of Australia + 61 2 6274 7444 during AEST 9.00am—5.00pm Monday—Thursday or 9.00am—4.00pm on Friday’s.
Current processing timeframe
A completed application for a Vehicle Import Approval, with all the necessary supporting documentation, will generally be assessed by the Department within 15 working days of receipt. Note that this is a service target and in peak periods it may not be met. If any further information or clarification is required, or if the necessary supporting documentation is not initially provided or if the original application is incomplete, this process will take longer.
Currently, vehicle import applications are being processed in 15 working days.
How to deliver your application
You cannot hand deliver your application or any associated correspondence in person to the Department of Infrastructure and Transport of Australia. Neither your application or any correspondence can be left at the security desk. All communications with the of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport of Australia must be delivered either by email, fax or post. This is to ensure that no application is misplaced.
For customers moving to Australia with a vehicle, please call your Abels customer liaison on their direct line or call head office on +44(0)1842 816600 or email shipping@abels.co.uk