The Queensland rule, briefly
A private seller's certificate lasts 2 months or 2,000 km from the date of issue, whichever runs out first, and covers one transfer. A licensed motor dealer's lasts 3 months or 1,000 km. You don't need one to advertise the car, but you must give the buyer a current certificate when it changes hands, unless you're selling to a dealer.
The inspection checks basic safety items: tyres, brakes, steering, suspension, body rust or damage, the windscreen and lights. Queensland's transport department says it is not a full mechanical inspection. Safety certificates in Queensland has the whole rule.
What Townsville sellers and new arrivals run into
Cars posted in from interstate
Lavarack Barracks in Murray is described as Australia's largest army base, and RAAF Base Townsville is in Garbutt. If a posting brought your car from another state, transferring its registration to Queensland needs a safety certificate. The transport department can answer questions.
The 2,000 km limit
A private seller's certificate expires at 2,000 km even if the 2 months aren't up. If you keep driving the car while it's listed, especially up the Bruce or out the Flinders Highway, keep an eye on the odometer.
Salt air and rust
Body rust is on the inspection list. A car that lives near the water, in North Ward or out at the Northern Beaches, is worth a look underneath before the station sees it.
After a wet season
Townsville flooded in 2019 and again in early 2025. A safety certificate covers basic safety items only, so it isn't the check that tells a buyer how a car came through a flood. That's what a pre-purchase inspection is for.
Finding a station
Queensland's Find an AIS tool searches by suburb or postcode, and can show only stations that offer a mobile inspection or issue electronic certificates. The department warns its results rely on third-party information, so confirm with the station.
Before the station sees it
You can
- Walk around with a helper and check every light, brake lights included.
- Look over the tyres for tread and any cuts or bulges.
- Check the windscreen and run the wipers and washers.
- Wash the car, underneath too if it lives near the beach.
Leave to the mechanic
- Brakes, steering or suspension that feel off: get them looked at before the inspection, not during it.
- Rust repairs on the body or underneath.
What we'd do
We'd fix what we already knew about, get the certificate in the week the car goes up for sale, and leave it parked rather than adding kilometres while buyers come to look. If you've just been posted here with an interstate car, we'd get it done early, while you're sorting out the rest of the move.