Trade business costs · WA · 2026-27
How much does a mechanic licence cost in Western Australia?
About $411 a year in 2026-27, annualised across renewal periods. Motor vehicle repair business licence (1-2 repairers, smallest band) $1,233/3yr renewal, annualised ~$411/yr (Consumer Protection WA, DEMIRS). The person doing repairs also needs a one-off Repairer's Certificate ($116, does not expire). 2026-27 fees. Source: regulator
What it costs to run a mechanic business in Western Australia
The licence is the cost everyone googles - it's rarely the one that hurts. Here's the rest of the fixed-cost picture for mechanics in Western Australia, all 2026-27 figures:
| Cost | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing | $411/yr | Annualised across renewal periods |
| Vehicle rego | $1,044/yr | CTP (MII) purchased separately ~$450-500 included in total. Weight-based at $28.64/100kg. |
| WorkCover | 2.4% of wages | Only if you employ anyone. WIC 94190 Other Automotive Repair and Maintenance recommended rate 2026-27. |
| Public liability | ~$750/yr | Public liability $10M cover - mid-range for sole trader on $100-200K revenue. Range: $550-$1,200. |
How WA compares: mechanic licence fees by state
| State | Annualised licence cost |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | $242/yr |
| Victoria | $0 |
| Queensland | $0 |
| Western Australia | $411/yr |
| South Australia | $0 |
| Tasmania | $0 |
| ACT | $403/yr |
| Northern Territory | $0 |
Other trades: electricians in WA · plumbers in WA · builders in WA
These costs are why your hourly rate isn't your wage
Every dollar above has to come out of the jobs you do - before you've paid yourself a cent. If your charge-out rate was set by asking around, it may not carry these costs plus the vehicle, tools, fuel and the quiet weeks.
Two minutes in our free hourly rate calculator shows what you're actually keeping per hour. figrd works the same numbers out in the quote builder, from your own costs, every time you price a job.
Get set up with figrdFigures are for the 2026-27 financial year, last reviewed 2026-06-28. Annualised licence costs spread multi-year renewals across each year. Where a regulator had not yet published its 2026-27 fees at that review, the current fee is shown. WorkCover rates are base or suggested rates - your actual premium depends on claims history - and insurance figures are market estimates, not official rates. Always confirm current figures with your state regulator before relying on them. This is general information, not financial advice.