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Compare car hireThis summary is for illustrative purposes only and may not apply to all reservations. We try our best to keep it up to date and relevant, but we can't guarantee that it is accurate or error-free. If you have questions regarding a specific rental, please contact our customer care team.
Budget accepts credit cards, and while Budget accepts Mastercard and Visa debit cards, these cards must show the customer’s name, signature and card number, along with the applicable logo. Prepaid and reloadable debit cards and gift cards, as well as travel cards and EFTPOS cards are not accepted. Budget also does not accept electronic payments with phones or contactless tap and go payment types, in all cases you must present a physical card.
You must present a physical card to pay for an Budget rental vehicle.
Budget may levy an additional charge for any of the following (though not limited to) cases:
Additional drivers
Child seats
Additional roadside assistance coverage
Budget allows the addition of additional drivers charged at $5.69 per day to a maximum of $39.85 per driver per rental. Note that any additional nominated driver, as with the primary driver, must have a full drivers licence and be present when the vehicle is collected at the beginning of the rental period.
The minimum age for renting a hire car with Budget is 21 years old but drivers under the age of 25 can only rent selected vehicle types — please see the Budget Terms and Conditions for details.
With the exception of assistance and guide dogs for individuals who are visually or hearing impaired or who require assistance dogs for emotional or other forms of support, Budget does not allow animals to be transported in their rental vehicles.
If you cancel your Budget booking through a no show, or even with prior notice, depending on the payment method selected, there may be a cancellation charge applied.
Budget can provide baby seats, and booster seats. These all conform to government standards, and as supplies are limited, please order a child seat at the time of your reservation, stating the age of your child so the correct type of child seat can be booked. Child seats will be provided with the vehicle at the time of collection and are usually fitted by Budget prior to pick-up, however you may need to make final adjustments to ensure straps are fitted correctly for your child.
Budget does not rent GPS systems to be fitted to their rental vehicles.
A 1.29% merchant fee is applied to all credit and debit card payments.
In the unfortunate event of an accident:
If there are injured people, contact emergency services first.
Contact Budget with relevant information including the licence plate, make and model, colour (if known), nature of fault, precise location of vehicle, contact number, and whereabouts of keys.
Prepare a written accident/damage report
Submit the report to Budget.
Budget may accept Digital Drivers Licences (DDLs) as a valid form of identification for all purposes in which physical driver's licenses are currently accepted, provided that they meet Budget’s security and authenticity requirements. If you are planning to use a digital licence, please check with Budget to confirm your licence will be accepted.
You are permitted to drive approved vehicles on the snow or above the Snow Line provided you have accepted and paid for Snow Cover at the time of collecting the vehicle, you use appropriate driving equipment (such as snow chains) suitable to the vehicle, and it is otherwise reasonably safe and responsible to drive the vehicle on snow or above the snow line in the circumstances and weather conditions. If a renter decides not to purchase snow cover they may not be covered for damage to the vehicle when being driven in snow conditions. Not all Budget vehicles are permitted to be driven above the snow line — please check the Budget Terms and Conditions for details.
Budget requires that all drivers have held a full and unrestricted license for at least 12 months, and present a valid photo ID such as a passport or government-issued photo ID. Learner and provisional licences are not accepted.
All licenses must be original — copies are not accepted.
If the driving license is not in English, an International Driving Permit or approved English translation is required. Renters are advised to check whether local authorities require foreign drivers to present an International Driving Permit to avoid the risk of potential fines. Renters with licenses from countries who are not part of the International Driving Permit Agreement should carry a certified translation of their licence.
Budget prohibits using its vehicles in ways that risk damage, violate the law, or breach safety standards. This includes reckless driving, driving under the influence, using the wrong fuel, or ignoring warning lights and signals. Causing damage to the roof, undercarriage, windscreen line, or from overloading, towing improperly, or attaching unauthorised items is not permitted and driving in a manner that causes these types of damage can impact on coverage. Off-road driving, driving through water, or entering car parks with low clearance is also banned.
Only authorised drivers may operate the vehicle, and it must not be used for racing, carrying passengers or cargo for payment, or committing unlawful acts. Smoking, fitting unauthorised equipment, or driving in restricted or unsafe areas such as beaches, and fire trails is not allowed. Where driving in snowy regions is permitted, snow chains must be fitted and adjusted properly, and hubcaps removed to avoid damage. Repairs require prior written approval from Budget.
Improper use may void coverage and loss damage waivers and leave the renter liable for the entire costs of any damage. Please see the Rental Agreement for detailed coverage on prohibited uses and driving restrictions for Budget rental vehicles.
You and any authorised driver must not, unless authorised in writing by Budget, drive or take the Vehicle:
In Queensland
On Highway No. 27: beyond Chillagoe in a westerly direction;
On Highway No. 1: beyond Normanton in a southerly direction and no further north than Karumba;
Beyond Cooktown to the north or Lakeland to the west and no further north than Cape Tribulation on the Coast Rd;
On a coastal road north of Cape Tribulation, unless the vehicle is a 4WD vehicle
On the Bloomfield Track north of Cape Tribulation.
In New South Wales
Above the snow line; being Jindabyne, from the beginning of June until the end of September.
In Victoria
Above the snow line; being Bright, from the beginning of June until the end of September.
In Western Australia
On the Kalumburu Rd, Tanami Rd, Canning Stock Route, Gunbarrel Hwy and Holland Track;
On the Gibb River Rd, Broome-Cape Leveque Rd, Bungle Bungles, Karijini National Park and Windjana Gorge unless the vehicle is a four-wheel drive.
In Northern Territory
Gove Peninsula;
On the Jim Jim Falls Rd to Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls.
Budget supplies EVs with at least an 77% charge. If the vehicle is returned with a charge level below this, you will be charged the EV Vehicle Recharge Fee to return it to the expected level.
Any underbody or battery damage caused by driving an EV over foreign objects is not covered by damage liability reduction or waiver products, and you will be liable for this damage.
EVs must not be driven through an automatic car wash. Any damage that occurs from driving an EV through a car wash is not covered by any damage liability reduction or waiver products, and you will be liable for all costs associated with damage caused from this prohibited use.
If you are unsure what fuel to use, please ask the station attendant or contact the Budget rental location for advice. Budget will supply the rental vehicle with a full tank of fuel, and expect the vehicle to be returned in the same condition. If you return the vehicle without a full tank of fuel, you will be charged the refuelling cost plus a service fee. If you have chosen a pre-paid fuel option, then the above is not applicable.
Budget does not pay any infringement notices and it is the sole responsibility of the hirer to pay all fines in relation to infringement notices issued during the rental period. In the event that Budget receives an infringement notice for a speeding, parking, or other traffic infringement relating to the period the vehicle was on hire, the hirer will be charged an additional administration fee of $35.75, and the liability for the fine.
If your driving license is not in English, an International Driving Permit or an English translation is required. Renters with licenses from countries who are not part of the International Driving Permit Agreement should carry a certified translation of their licence.
For renters who live within 100 km of the pickup depot, are a first-time renter with Budget, and are not a corporate renter, Budget requires a $1,000 pre-authorisation on a credit card (debit cards not accepted) along with second proof of identity (such as a utility bill dated within 30 days of the rental) that shows both the driver’s name and address that is identical to those on their licence.
To pick up an Budget rental car you need to satisfy both the licence and payment criteria:
You must present a valid and accepted credit card or bank issued Mastercard or Visa debit card (see Accepted Forms of Payment above).
You must meet the licence rules.
For security purposes, the owner of the credit card entered on the payment step when making a booking must be present to collect the vehicle and is required to sign the Rental Agreement.
If you are going to be late to pick up your car, please contact Budget as soon as possible.
Budget vehicles are covered by standard motor vehicle insurance; however, an excess may be charged for any loss or damage incurred during the hire period, regardless of fault. This coverage may not be applicable if the vehicle has been used in a manner in contravention of Budget Terms and Conditions.
The rental vehicle excess can be reduced through the purchase of collision damage waiver products. Budget offers a number of damage waiver products to reduce this financial exposure, in some cases to zero.
Excess insurance is also available through third party providers such as Prosura.
After hours pickup and drop off of Budget vehicles may be available — check with the depot concerned, likewise contact the rental location if you wish to extend your rental. In the event of an early return, no refund applies. All hires are counted in 24 hour durations. In the event of a late return of more than 59 minutes, the fee for a full day of hire may apply.
Budget provides 24/7 emergency roadside assistance for breakdown and accidents. If a roadside assistance callout relates to something that is your fault (for example running out of fuel, losing the keys, locking the keys in the vehicle, or if a wheel needs to be changed due to a puncture), there is a callout fee associated with roadside assistance. For any mechanical breakdowns related to a vehicle fault, there is no charge. A Roadside Assistance Coverage package can be purchased to remove the callout fee for roadside assistance.
The security deposit is a downpayment pre-authorised to your credit card at the commencement of your rental. The bond amount can vary depending on the vehicle and your mode of payment but generally starts at $200 plus the cost of the rental.
Budget has partnered with Linkt for the management of tolls. Each day you drive on a toll road, you’ll be charged the toll amount plus a $3.30 fee per day. This gets debited from the card you presented at pick up.
Budget does not levy a Young Driver Fee.
Remember - this summary was prepared for illustrative purposes only - always refer to the rental provider's full rental agreement and terms and conditions for up-to-date and complete details.