The daily rate you see first is only part of what a rental car costs in Australia. By the time you add airport fees, insurance excess cover, extra drivers, tolls and fuel, the total for a week can be double the headline price.
This guide uses the most recent published price data and current fuel prices to show what Australians and visitors actually pay, city by city, and where the money goes.
At a glance
1What the Average Rental Car Costs
Price data published by the comparison site VroomVroomVroom puts the national average for 2025 between about A$84 a day in May, the cheapest month, and A$105 a day in April, the most expensive, when Easter and school holidays push demand up. Its rolling figure for recent months was higher again, at around A$131 a day, which shows how quickly prices move with demand.
Car size matters as much as timing. In the same data, economy cars averaged about A$88 a day at city branches and compact cars about A$92, while premium SUVs averaged A$211.
| City | Cheapest month (2025) | Peak month (2025) | City pick-up average | Airport average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | June, A$77 | October, A$110 | A$95 | A$90 |
| Melbourne | June, A$69 | December, A$97 | A$81 | A$103 |
| Brisbane | May, A$85 | July, A$113 | A$98 | A$105 |
| Perth | July, A$92 | April, A$124 | A$107 | A$111 |
| Adelaide | August, A$67 | April, A$109 | A$82 | A$88 |
| Gold Coast | May, A$71 | July, A$96 | A$84 | A$102 |
| Cairns | February, A$80 | July, A$150 | A$106 | A$125 |
| Hobart | August, A$64 | January, A$171 | A$106 | A$108 |
Average daily rates from VroomVroomVroom’s 2025 price data. Your price depends on dates, car, supplier and how far ahead you book.
2The Fees on Top of the Daily Rate
Most of the difference between a cheap quote and an expensive total comes from extras. These are the ones that appear most often in Australia:
- Airport location fee or premium location surcharge: built into most airport quotes, which is why airport averages are often higher.
- Excess reduction: optional daily cover that lowers what you pay if the car is damaged. On a week’s hire it can be the largest single extra.
- Young-driver fee: a daily charge for drivers under 25.
- Additional driver: usually a daily fee per extra driver, though some suppliers include a partner or spouse.
- One-way fee: charged when you return the car to a different city.
- Tolls and admin fees: tolls in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are electronic, and suppliers pass them on with a service fee.
- Equipment: child seats, GPS and snow chains are charged per day or per rental.
Open the full conditions before you pay and look for the excess, the bond, the fuel policy and the kilometre allowance. Those four lines explain most surprises at the counter.
3Fuel: Budget More Than Last Year
Fuel is a big part of any road-trip budget in 2026. The Australian Institute of Petroleum reported a national average of 242.1 cents a litre for regular unleaded in the week ending 18 October 2026, with Hobart the most expensive capital at 250.0c. Finder notes the national average was 181.0c in early March, before global supply problems pushed prices up.
As a rough guide, a small car using 6 litres per 100 km costs about A$14.50 in fuel for every 100 km at that price. A large SUV using 10 litres per 100 km costs about A$24.
| Car type | Typical use | Fuel for 500 km at 242c/L |
|---|---|---|
| Economy hatch | 5–6 L/100 km | A$60–73 |
| Compact SUV | 6.5–7.5 L/100 km | A$79–91 |
| Mid-size SUV | 8–9 L/100 km | A$97–109 |
| Hybrid sedan | 4–5 L/100 km | A$48–61 |
Also read: Hybrid car rental: lower fuel bills without charging
4Worked Example: One Week in Sydney
Here is how a typical seven-day booking can add up. The figures are illustrative, built from the averages above, so use them to plan rather than as a quote.
| Item | Example cost |
|---|---|
| Compact car, 7 days at A$90 | A$630 |
| Excess reduction, 7 days at A$30 | A$210 |
| Additional driver | A$40–90 |
| Tolls and toll admin fee | A$40–80 |
| Fuel, 600 km | A$90 |
| Estimated total | A$1,010–1,100 |
The same car collected from a city or off-airport depot, with standalone excess cover instead of the supplier’s daily option, can come in a few hundred dollars cheaper.
5Price by Car Type
The car class you book changes both the daily rate and the running costs. Indicative from-prices on Australia Rent Car start at around A$37–42 a day for economy hatches such as the Kia Picanto and Toyota Yaris, about A$46–50 for compact cars such as the Hyundai i30 and Toyota Corolla, and A$50–58 for compact SUVs. Seven-seaters, vans, luxury cars and 4WDs cost considerably more, and those from-prices are what you see in quiet weeks, not school holidays.
| Class | Typical models | Indicative from-price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Toyota Yaris, Kia Picanto, MG3 | From about A$37–42 a day | One or two people, city driving |
| Compact | Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30, Mazda3 | From about A$46–50 | Couples and small families |
| Compact SUV | Hyundai Kona, MG ZS, Mitsubishi ASX | From about A$50–58 | Road trips for two to four |
| SUV | Toyota RAV4 | From about A$68 | Families and luggage |
| 7-seater | Toyota Kluger, Kia Carnival | From about A$95–112 | Groups |
| 4WD | Toyota LandCruiser Prado | From about A$120–140 | Permitted remote routes |
6Long Rentals Cost Less Per Day
The daily rate usually falls as the rental gets longer. A weekend booking often has the highest daily rate, a week is cheaper per day, and rentals of four weeks or more are priced as long-term hire. If you are staying for a month, compare a single 30-day booking with separate shorter rentals; the single booking is almost always cheaper.
Also read: Long-term car rental in Australia
Also read: Monthly car rental in Australia
7How to Pay Less
- Book two weeks or more ahead: in the 2025 data, bookings made two weeks out averaged A$84 a day against A$95 for same-day bookings.
- Avoid school holidays and Easter if your dates are flexible.
- Compare airport, city and off-airport depots. Off-airport depots averaged well below airport desks in most cities.
- Choose the smallest car that fits your luggage, and a hybrid for long drives.
- Decide on excess cover before you arrive, so you are not choosing under pressure at the desk.
- Return the car full if the policy is full-to-full. Refuelling charges are far higher than the pump price.
Also read: Cheap car rental in Australia: 15 ways to save money
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost to rent a car in Australia per day?
In 2025 data the national average ranged from about A$84 a day in May to A$105 in April, and recent months have been higher. Economy and compact cars cost less, SUVs and premium cars more.
Is it cheaper to rent a car at the airport or in the city?
Often the city or an off-airport depot is cheaper because airport quotes include a location fee. In some cities, such as Sydney, the averages were close, so compare both.
How much should I budget for fuel?
At the October 2026 national average of about 242c a litre, allow roughly A$15 per 100 km for a small car and A$24 per 100 km for a large SUV.
Are tolls included in the rental price?
No. Tolls are charged after the rental, usually with an admin fee from the supplier.
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Australia Rent Car compares car hire from the top suppliers across Australia, with one-way trips, airport pick-ups and total prices side by side.
