hey I found this information on www.ozcooper.com.au. They do a whole lot of importing. I thought that it might help out with this topic.

New Regulations to Govern Imported Cars

On 8 May 2003 the Federal Government introduced a new scheme to administer the importation of used vehicles. The new scheme was announced jointly by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, and the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources. This followed a comprehensive review of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989. In its deliberation of the report, the Government carefully considered the various arguments and the views put to it by key stakeholders during the extensive consultation process.

The new arrangements include the introduction of a Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS) to determine the eligibility of vehicle models for importation, and replacing type (bulk) approval of Australian Design Rules (ADRs) compliance with vehicle-by-vehicle approval of compliance conducted by registered workshops.

This new scheme (SEVS) replaced the existing Low Volume Compliance Scheme (LVCS) that had existed for some years. This scheme was perfectly suited to cars such as the Mini however abuse of the system by large quantity importation of other models such as the Toyota Surf required fundamental chances that have affected us all. The abuse of the old LVCS meant many models were being imported in direct competition to some Manufactures who have vested interests in the local car industry. Eventually the Manufacturers were persuasive enough to convince the Federal Government to wipe the slate clean and replace the LVCS altogether.

Basically this means in the short term the Mini is not able to be imported into Australia as anything than a personal import. We are working on gaining approval for the Mini however, this is a time consuming process that involves numerous tests and a seemingly endless amount of paperwork. All going to plan we hope to have approval in the first quarter of 2004. Please feel free to contact us at any time if you require any additional information.

Chris Gough.
Managing Director.
Australian Mini Cooper Pty Ltd.

I dont know how old this is though and if this has been changed... knowing my luck its old news...

This is a tricky and expensive thing to do guys I speak from experience hey why else would I be sitting in My lounge room in Manchester Uk, (Oh going to Manchester United game soon he he) any way the reason I came here was so I could get a final editon mini with what ever bits I wanted the colour I wanted etc, means giving up a lot having a shed load of money and very long winded, if it was possiable to do it from home cheaper I would have but the current waluve for what I am driving is around $65,000 Aussie dollars if I was to buy it from home and get it complianced and as already stated they have stopped it speak to Peter Smith (i think) in Camden West Sydney he was the one I spoke to many time s before coming over and since getting here,

Two thingsto look out for too ok, any Mini with air con is jap spec from Uk, and should all be Spi, never made them with Mpi, most if not all where 12", watch for 13" to check have all the right mods, if it is a UK car, rust guys these things rust, my 2000 model every day runner, has been fully waxoyled from new but has a few bubbles that need sorting, so go back 5 years say 95 mate these things have cancer like you wouldnt beleave, should see the cond of the cars after a day out in winter covered in salt from wheels to roof cause we are that low the trucks spray salty water from roads right over us no where is safe,

So speaking from Uk and export knowledge be warned and be carefull what you buy gee even there subframes rot, I cut em up back home poms cringe at us,

just my 5 cents worth

Ozcooper's pretty optimistic about the timeframe doubt it they will get it till the 2nd or 3rd quarter of '04 as the DoTaRS boys are a bit slow lately with checking RAWS application and even with issuing import approvals. That's a different story altogether...

Things I ain't too sure of about these imported Mini's is that for the auto, they don't have a park gear - apparently some engineers might not like to see that especially the ones in NSW but I know it's OK in Qld (that's partly why my '88 Mayfair isn't registered)

How much just to buy the plates off your old man Orange? I'd be happy to snap up a few depending on price.

As for '88-89 Mini's, they can be had for pretty cheap, like that heap sitting in my backyard at the moment cost similar to what a half decent Clubman would've set me back for. They're going for 150,000-250,000yen at the moment and for the later stuff it's around double that. Divide those numbers by 78 should be in AUD.