From VicRoads web site:
ESC mandatory from 1 January 2011 : VicRoads
there seems to be an exception that may cover kit cars ("Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle"):
Vehicles manufactured on or after 1 January 2011 (i.e. compliance plate is after 1 January 2011) are required to have a compliant system of Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
This ESC requirement applies to:
* Passenger cars - A passenger vehicle having up to nine seating positions, including the driver. This does not include an off-road passenger vehicle or a forward-control passenger vehicle.
* Forward-control passenger vehicles - A passenger vehicle having up to nine seating positions, including the driver, and in which the centre of the steering wheel is in the forward quarter of the vehicle’s total length. This does not include off road passenger vehicles.
* Off-road passenger vehicles - A passenger vehicle having up to nine seating positions, including the driver and being designed with special features for off-road operation.
This ESC requirement does not apply to:
* a motor vehicle that has been registered in another state or a territory of the Commonwealth for one year or more immediately before the motor vehicle is brought into Victoria
* a motor vehicle that is not manufactured or marketed in full volume for normal road use
* a vehicle registered as a Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle
* a model of motor vehicle that has been declared by VicRoads to be exempt.
For more details, refer to the Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2009.
The table below lists the vehicles that comply with, or are exempt from, the requirement to have a compliant ESC system. This list applies only to those makes and models with a compliance plate after 1 January 2011.
Make Model Variant ESC Status*
Nissan Tiida All Exempt
Nissan Patrol All Exempt
Toyota Yaris 1.3L Hatchback Exempt
* The ESC status applies only to those makes and models listed with a compliance plate after 1 January 2011. The ‘Exempt’ status means vehicle is not required to have ESC but is still eligible for registration. The ‘Certified’ status means the vehicle has ESC and is therefore eligible for registration.