Cheap Car Hire in Australia from $17
This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a Cheapflights user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car hire in Australia with a pick-up date of 21/7 and drop-off date of 25/7. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of hire. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
Australia car hires in 2025
Get helpful information to start your search for the perfect car hire in Australia. The average price data is based on the last 12 months and was last updated on 11 July 2025.
Most popular company | Bargain Car Rentals |
|---|---|
Most common car type | Standard |
Average price per day | $64 |
Cheapest price per day | $17 |
Popular car types in Australia
Explore the most popular car models available for hire in Australia and choose the one that suits your needs. The price data is sourced from various car hire companies and was last updated on 11 July 2025.
small car is the cheapest car type you can hire in Australia this past week from 3,286 hire locations out of 104 hire agencies. Prices for a Australia small car hire start from $17/day. Check out available deals for 5 car types currently offered at listed car hire agencies here:
Economy
$17+
Compact
$19+
Intermediate
$22+
Standard
$33+
Full-size
$36+
SUV
$34+
People mover
$59+
Full-size SUV
$40+
Compare car hire deals in Australia by type
Here are the best Australia small car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:
Here are the best Australia medium car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:
Here are the best Australia SUV hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:
Here are the best Australia van hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:
Here are the best Australia pickup truck hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:
Best car hire deals found in Australia
Browse through a selection of recently found affordable car hire deals in Australia. Plan your trip with ease and find the perfect hire option for your needs. There are currently 8 hire car agencies in Australia with an average daily rate of $31. Data was last updated on 11 July 2025.
Take a peek at some options we've found for car hires in Australia, including locations near Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. If these deals don't appeal to you, check back very soon as they are being updated frequently.
Cheapflights insights for Australia car hires
Get relevant, data-driven information to help you hire a car in Australia, including pricing trends, ideal booking times, and more.
How far in advance should I hire a car in Australia?
To get the best deal on car hire in Australia, book about 8 days before your trip. At that point, average daily prices are around $71, which is about 42% cheaper than the typical rate.
What is the cheapest car hire company in Australia?
Bargain Car Rentals is currently the cheapest car hire company in Australia with deals as low as $12.83/day found in the past two weeks. Simba Car Hire is another inexpensive option with rates as low as $15.12/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Australia?
The cheapest month to hire a car in Australia is May, when you can expect to pay $69/day on average. The most expensive month to hire a car in Australia is December ($85/day on average). The average daily car hire price for each month is shown below. Keep in mind that prices will vary based on availability, when you book, and the type of car you hire.
January
$73
February
$70
March
$72
April
$81
May
$69
June
$73
July
$83
August
$77
September
$75
October
$77
November
$75
December
$85
What car do most people hire in Australia?
The most popular types of cars to hire in Australia are the following: Premium cars (BMW X3 or similar), Luxury cars (Audi A4 or similar), and SUV cars (BMW X3 or similar).
Which car hire company has the most locations in Australia?
Thrifty has 347 locations throughout the area, more than any other company. Firefly has the second-highest number of locations in Australia at 290.
What are the car hire prices for popular cities in Australia?
Discover the price range for hiring a car in popular cities across Australia, helping you budget and make informed decisions for your upcoming travel. There are 1,487 pickup locations in Australia to choose from. Price data has been averaged over the last 12 months and was last updated on 11 July 2025.
Among the most popular cities in Australia, Hobart offers the lowest average car hire price at just $23/day. Other affordable options include Launceston ($26/day), Sydney ($26/day), and Brisbane ($29/day).
Tips for hiring a car in Australia
Browse helpful tips for hiring a car in Australia including age restrictions, car type suggestions and more. Tips were last updated on 11 July 2025.
- Make sure to check with your Australian car hire company before taking your vehicle across state and territory borders. Most companies allow some cross-border travel, particularly between Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. However, some companies may not allow you to take a vehicle from New South Wales across the border into Queensland or the Northern Territory. If you're planning on travelling on a car ferry from Victoria to Tasmania, let your car hire company know first. Most will allow it, but you usually need to get written permission and may need to pay for additional insurance.
- Make sure you're aware of the ways road rules differ between states (and sometimes between cities) in Australia. For example, if you're driving in Melbourne, you'll need to stop at the back of a stopped tram to allow passengers to disembark, and you can't drive on tram tracks for more than 50 metres at a time. Victoria is the only state where U-turns are allowed at traffic lights unless signed, and in New South Wales, drivers are required to maintain a three-second gap between their car and the vehicle in front of them. Across Australia, the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%.
- When driving in more rural areas, keep an eye out for animals on the road, especially at dawn and dusk. There will often be road signs indicating areas where animals are frequently present. This is especially true on stretches of unfenced road in the countryside, where you may encounter large wild animals like kangaroos, emus and camels. Be prepared to slow down when necessary. It's also a good idea to keep an eye out for signs with the animal rescue phone number, which you can call if you encounter injured wildlife.
Top hire agencies in Australia
Explore the leading car hire agencies in Australia known for their outstanding service and extensive range of vehicles to choose from. There are currently 8 car hire companies in Australia. Reviews were last updated on 11 July 2025.
Book your reservation with one of the top hire car agencies located in Australia, including those serving the greater Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane area. Browse through some of the top car hire agencies in Australia, including locations around Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
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Car hire FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions about car hires in Australia, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on 11 July 2025.
Should I hire a car in Australia?
Hiring a car is one of the best ways to see everything Australia has to offer. There are several excellent road trips throughout the country, such as The Great Ocean Road in Victoria and the Red Centre Way in the Northern Territory. Rest stops are common throughout Australia, making it easy to find somewhere safe to pull over and rest overnight or for a few hours. With your own vehicle, you can travel on your own schedule and easily adjust your plans when you want to.
What is driving like in Australia?
Driving conditions can vary greatly throughout Australia, depending on whether you’re driving in big cities, through stretches of desert in the outback or through dense forest in the bush. In major cities, you may want to avoid rush hour (usually from 07:00 to 09:00 and 16:00 to 18:00), and it's often easiest to avoid the city centres altogether, as some roads in these areas may be pedestrian zones at certain times. Roads throughout the country are generally well-maintained, including several major highways that can take you through the countryside. However, if you're venturing off the beaten path, you may encounter dirt roads and potholes. Avoid driving on dirt roads when possible.
How old do I have to be to hire a car in Australia?
In Australia, you need to be at least 21 years old to hire a car. Most companies will also add a young driver's surcharge for drivers under the age of 25. This is usually an additional daily fee. When you pick up your vehicle, you'll need to bring your driving licence and a credit card in your name. You may be able to pay via debit card or cash, but a credit card is generally required so the car hire company can place a hold charge. While an International Driving Permit is typically not required if your licence is written in the Latin alphabet, it may still come in handy. Conversely, if your licence uses a different writing system, such as Cyrillic or Arabic, an International Driving Permit is usually required.
What is the most popular car hire provider in Australia?
With an average price of $34/day, Bargain Car Rentals is the most popular car hire provider in Australia, booking 296% more hire cars than any other provider.
What is the cheapest city to get a rental car in Australia?
At $32/day, the cheapest car hire price in Australia was found in Maroochydore. On average, Maroochydore has the cheapest daily rental car price ($54/day), which is 48% below average price for cities in Australia.
What side of the road do you drive on in Australia?
Cars travel on the left side of the road in Australia.
Car hires by fuel type in Australia
Browse car hires by fuel type in Australia. Currently, Hybrid cars are the cheapest to rent in Australia. Deals were last updated on 11 July 2025.
Browse through car hire deals by fuel type in Australia. There are currently 3 fuel types to choose from with Hybrid being the cheapest ($13+).
Electric
$23+
Hybrid
$13+
Petrol/Diesel
$14+