ACT Personalised Plates: The Complete 2026 Guide

The Australian Capital Territory offers a surprisingly diverse personalised plate program for a small jurisdiction. Managed by Access Canberra, ACT plates come in a wide range of styles, colours, and formats — from classic personalised initials to European-style plates, the newly launched Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) plates, and Brumbies and Raiders team plates.

All non-standard ACT plates are a one-off purchase with no annual renewal fees, and the Territory's affluent demographics and high vehicle ownership rates mean there's strong demand for desirable combinations on the secondary market.

What makes ACT plates unique

One-off fees, no annual charges. ACT personalised plates are a one-off purchase. Unlike NSW where some plate types carry annual renewal fees, once you've paid for your ACT plates, there are no ongoing costs (aside from optional storage fees if you remove them from a vehicle).

In-person ordering only. Unlike most other states that offer full online ordering, most non-standard ACT plates must be ordered at an Access Canberra Service Centre in person. You'll need to bring identification and your completed application form. Rainbow plates and storage renewals can be done online.

Extensive colour and material choices. ACT plates are available in both metal and plastic. Plastic plates come in a range of colours (including white on pink, black on white, and more), and you can add custom slogans and logos for an additional fee. Metal plates are limited to blue characters on a white background unless part of a special series.

Home storage allowed. Unlike WA where unattached plates must be stored at a government centre, ACT plate owners can store their plates at home. You'll need to notify Access Canberra and pay a storage fee, and you must renew the storage period to retain your rights to the number. If you don't renew, you will lose rights to the number and it may become available for someone else to purchase.

JDM plates launched in 2025. The ACT became one of the latest jurisdictions to offer Japanese Domestic Market style plates, designed specifically for imported Japanese vehicles with non-standard plate cavities. Standard JDM plates start at $577.10, with personalised JDM options from $686.30.

Plate styles and pricing

Access Canberra offers a range of non-standard plate categories. Fees listed are correct as at 1 July 2025 and may change.

Personalised Plates — from $372.20

The most popular entry point. Personalised plates consist of two initials followed by three numbers (e.g. AB 123). Available in tin ($372.20) and plastic ($473.50). European-style personalised plates must start with the letter 'A' before the personalised sequence.

Name Plates

Put a commonly known given name, surname, or initials on your plates in seven or fewer characters. A change of name certificate does not guarantee your application will be approved. Name plates are a popular choice for people who want their name on their vehicle.

Unique Plates

The premium tier. Unique plates are any combination of letters and numbers not covered by another category. This gives you maximum creative freedom — car models, nicknames, occupations, or any combination you can think of. Unique plates are the most expensive ACT plate category. Visit an Access Canberra Service Centre for a quote on your desired combination.

Vehicle Make Plates

Display the make of your vehicle on your plates. The combination must describe the make of a vehicle. A popular option for owners of prestige or performance vehicles.

Business Plates

Available using the name or initials of your business, in between two and seven characters. You must provide proof of business operation. Slogans and logos are available on plastic plates. Discounts are available when purchasing a batch of consecutively numbered business plates in one transaction. Visit an Access Canberra Service Centre for current pricing.

European Style Plates — from $577.10

Elongated European-style plates available in metal, in blue characters on white or white characters on black. Standard Euro plates follow the ACT 'Y' series format and must start with the letter 'A' followed by the ACT crest and bluebell logo. Non-standard Euro plates are available in personalised, name, business, unique, and vehicle make styles (not available in Brumbies, Raiders, or numeric styles).

Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) Plates — from $577.10

Launched in late 2025, JDM plates measure 330mm wide by 165mm tall, designed to fit the plate cavity of Japanese imported vehicles without modification. Available in black or green metal with pre-drilled holes. Standard JDM plates display 'JP' followed by 4 numbers. Non-standard JDM styles (personalised, unique, vehicle make, name, and business) are available from $686.30.

Team Plates — Brumbies and Raiders

Show your local team pride with ACT Brumbies or Canberra Raiders plates. Brumbies premium plates contain the letters 'BR' and range from BR 0 to BR 200, while special series plates range from BR 0201 to BR 1200 or BR 1996 to BR 2005.

Numeric Plates

Numeric plates for motor vehicles contain 4 to 5 digits. Motorcycle numeric plates contain 1 to 5 digits, and trailer plates contain 1 to 5 digits with the letter 'T'. One, two, and three-digit numeric plates for motor vehicles are not available for general purchase at an Access Canberra Service Centre — when they become available, they are offered to the public through special processes.

Slimline Plates

Slimline plates are available as a front plate replacement. A slimline set consists of a front slimline plate and a rear standard plate. Logos and slogans are not available on slimline plates. GI Slimline Plate sets are available in standard 'Y' Series format.

Rainbow Plates

Available in support of marriage equality, rainbow plates can be ordered online and collected from an Access Canberra Service Centre. Visit the Access Canberra website for current pricing.

Slogans and Logos

ACT plates can display slogans including "Canberra - The Bush Capital" and "The Nation's Capital." Custom slogans and logos are available on plastic plates for an additional fee.

How to buy ACT personalised plates

Here's the process for ordering non-standard plates:

1. Choose your desired plate type and combination

2. Complete the appropriate application form (available on the Access Canberra website as PDF downloads — there are separate forms for standard, European-style, and JDM plates)

3. Visit an Access Canberra Service Centre with your completed form and primary proof of identity (ACT Driver Licence preferred; if you don't have one, you'll need to provide full proof of identity)

4. Staff will give you a quote before you commit

5. Pay the fee by debit or credit card

6. Orders take approximately 4-6 weeks to manufacture

7. Access Canberra will send you a letter when your plates are ready for collection

8. Collect from your nominated Service Centre — bring your old plates, a screwdriver, and screws to fit the new ones (Access Canberra does not provide these)

9. You have 56 days to collect before the plates are reclaimed by Access Canberra

Three-day cooling off period: After ordering, you can change the format or cancel within 3 calendar days for a full refund. After that, changes and cancellations are subject to approval.

Gift certificates are available for non-standard plates once the order has been processed and paid for.

What's not allowed: Access Canberra will refuse applications where the content is considered potentially offensive to the community, where the combination may be difficult to distinguish from other registration plates, or where the content may breach copyright or trademark.

Transferring ACT personalised plates

Selling plates privately

ACT plate rights can be transferred to another person. There are two ways to do this:

1. Transfer the registration associated with the plate to another person (this transfers the whole vehicle registration including the plates)

2. Transfer the plate rights separately — the seller removes the plates and stores them, then transfers the rights to the buyer

A fee applies for transferring plate rights. Contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81 for current transfer fees and required paperwork.

Storing plates when selling your car

If you're selling your vehicle but want to keep your plates, you can store them at home. You'll need to:

1. Notify Access Canberra that you're removing the plates

2. Pay a storage fee

3. Renew the storage period as required

Important: If you don't renew the storage period or place the plates on a registered vehicle, you will lose rights to the number and it may become available for someone else to purchase. You can renew home plate storage online through the Access Canberra website.

Swapping plates between vehicles

If you want to move plates from one of your vehicles to another, Access Canberra can process a plate swap. You'll need access to both sets of plates at the time of the swap. Call Access Canberra on 13 22 81 to arrange. A fee applies. Once the swap transaction is complete, you must immediately exchange the plates between vehicles. You don't need to take the plates to a Service Centre for a swap.

Selling your ACT personalised plates

The ACT secondary market for plates is active, particularly for short numeric combinations and meaningful letter combinations. The Territory's high average incomes and strong car culture create demand for premium plates.

The ACT government generates between $850,000 and $900,000 each year from personalised plate registrations, indicating the ongoing popularity of the program.

What determines ACT plate value:

• Numeric plates — low-digit numeric plates are the most valuable. The first set of Canberra centenary plates (C 100) sold at auction for $9,350 in 2013

• Short combinations — two or three character plates command premium prices

• Names and initials — common names and popular initials

• Team plates — low-number Brumbies and Raiders plates carry collector value

• Unique combinations — plates that spell words or have clear meaning

Where to sell:

You can list your ACT plate for free on AusPlates to reach buyers across Australia. AusPlates is a dedicated marketplace for personalised number plates — no listing fees, no commission. Before listing, check what your plate is worth using the free instant valuation tool to get a data-driven starting price.

Frequently asked questions

How much do personalised plates cost in the ACT?

ACT plate prices depend on the type. Personalised plates (two initials + three numbers) start at $372.20 for tin and $473.50 for plastic. European-style plates start from $577.10 and JDM plates from $577.10 for standard or $686.30 for personalised. Unique plates are priced per combination — visit an Access Canberra Service Centre for a quote. All prices are one-off with no annual fees. Fees are correct as at 1 July 2025.

Can I sell my ACT personalised plates?

Yes. ACT plate rights can be transferred to another person through Access Canberra. A transfer fee applies and the process is completed at an Access Canberra Service Centre or by calling 13 22 81.

Do ACT personalised plates have annual fees?

No. ACT plates are a one-off purchase. There are no annual renewal fees for the plates themselves. However, if you store your plates at home (not on a vehicle), a storage fee applies and must be renewed to retain your rights to the number.

How long does it take to get ACT plates?

Orders take approximately 4-6 weeks to manufacture. Access Canberra will send you a letter when your plates are ready for collection at your nominated Service Centre. You have 56 days to collect them.

Can I order ACT plates online?

Rainbow plates and storage renewals can be done online. Most non-standard plates (personalised, unique, Euro, JDM, etc.) must be ordered in person at an Access Canberra Service Centre.