9309.0 - Motor Vehicle Census, Australia, Mar 2004  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 17/11/2004   
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MEDIA RELEASE

November 17, 2004
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
161/2004

Australia's Motor Vehicle Fleet doubles in under thirty years

Australia's motor vehicle fleet has doubled in under 30 years, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

There were 13.5 million motor vehicles registered in Australia at 31 March 2004, compared to 6.6 million motor vehicles registered at 30 September 1976.

In 2004, there were 675 motor vehicles for every 1,000 Australian residents. This compares with 472 motor vehicles for every 1,000 Australian residents in 1976. In 2004, this ratio varied across states and territories, from a low of 532 in the Northern Territory to a high of 749 in Western Australia.

Increases in motor vehicle registrations were recorded for all types of vehicles for the year ended 31 March 2004. The passenger vehicle fleet has grown from 10.4 million in 2003 to 10.6 million in 2004, an increase of 3%.

Queensland recorded the largest increase over the 12 months ended 31 March 2004, up by 103,983 vehicles (4%). The smallest increase was recorded in the Australian Capital Territory, up by 2,293 vehicles (1%) over the same period.

The average age of the total Australian vehicle fleet was 10.3 years in 2004, with more than two-thirds (68%) of vehicles manufactured after the year 1990.

Campervans were the oldest vehicle type registered with an average age of 18.9 years. Motorcycles were the youngest at 9.8 years.

Further details are in Motor Vehicle Census (cat. no. 9309.0).