The easiest way to compare car rental across Australia
Why you need a hire car in Australia
When it comes to road trips and self-driving holidays, few destinations are as exceptional as Australia. With dramatic coastlines and golden-sand beaches, tropical rainforests and rural scenes, and, of course, the spectacular Red Centre, Australia has it all. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a short stay or have months on end, a rental car gives you an unrivalled freedom and flexibility to explore.
When it comes to picking the right rental car for your road trip, VroomVroomVroom is here to help make your decision as easy as possible. From a compact car ideal for inner-city hops to an SUV perfect for driving across the country, we’ll help you find the right vehicle at the right price — and the whole process can take as little as two minutes.
Popular places to rent a car in Australia
Australia is a big country, and selecting the right pickup point can make a real difference to both the price you pay and your convenience. Some travellers simply want the cheapest rental car available, others might want an airport collection so they can get moving straight away, and others still might prefer an in-town depot close to their hotel, home, or workplace.
With VroomVroomVroom you can compare car hire in major cities and holiday destinations right across the country, including some of the busiest leisure and fly-drive markets in Australia. Whether you’re landing in Cairns for a Far North Queensland road trip, heading to the Gold Coast for a beach break, or picking up a rental car in Melbourne or Sydney for a business trip, we can help you compare the available options before you book.
Where in Australia would you like to rent a car?
If you’re still deciding where to pick up your rental car, browsing by state can be a practical first step to narrow things down. This lets you compare depots by region and then search for hire cars in the city or airport that suits your route.
VroomVroomVroom covers car rental locations across every Australian state and territory, so you can easily move from broad trip planning to a specific booking with just a couple of clicks.
Compare Australia’s top car hire providers
Comparing rental car companies side by side gives you a clearer view of what’s actually available for your dates. Rates can change by season, vehicle type, location, and provider, so the cheapest rental car one week may not be the best-value hire car option the next.
VroomVroomVroom compares offers from major rental car brands including Avis, Bargain Car Rentals, Budget, Dollar, East Coast, Europcar, Everything Fleet, Hertz, No Birds, Redspot, Sixt, and Thrifty, and this means you can check a range of providers with one search rather than jumping between multiple websites.
When you compare hire car deals, be sure to look beyond the daily rate. Check the pickup location, if unlimited kilometres are included, fuel policy, age rules, cancellation terms, and whether the vehicle size suits your trip. A lower headline price is not always the most practical choice.
YOU’RE IN GOOD COMPANY
Here’s what VroomVroomVroom customers think
- 18 May 2026richard m.Booked: Ford Ranger or similarBrisbane City
- 18 May 2026nicholas a.Booked: MG Core 3 or similarPerth T1 or T2 Airport
- 18 May 2026gayle t.Booked: Kia Sportage or similarMelbourne Airport
- 18 May 2026brian m.Booked: Standard SedanSydney Airport
- 17 May 2026christopher c.Booked: MG HS ExciteCairns Airport
- 17 May 2026chris p.Booked: Mazda CX-30 or similarBrisbane Airport
- 16 May 2026cornelis o.Booked: Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid or similarPerth Airport
- 15 May 2026katina h.Booked: MG Core 3 or similarSunshine Coast Airport
- 15 May 2026andrea h.Booked: Mazda CX-30 or similarLaunceston Airport
- 14 May 2026gabrielle d.Booked: Toyota Corolla Hybrid or similarDarwin Airport
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How to hire a car for the first time: A beginner’s guide
Make hiring a car simple and stress-free with these helpful articles. Get up to speed on topics from additional drivers and airport rentals, to required documents, age restrictions, and more.
Visiting from overseas?
If you’ve never driven in Australia, read up on our driving tips and road rules.
Learn about excess insurance for your rental car in Australia.
Be sure to specify you don’t live in Australia when searching for a vehicle.
Receive updates on fuel prices in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia with our Fuel Price Compare app.
Car rental in other countries
If you’re planning on continuing your holiday in another country after your Australian road trip, VroomVroomVroom is here to help. We offer our same world-class services for car hire in:
Rental tips for hiring a car in Australia
If you’ve rented a car elsewhere in the world, renting a car in Australia isn’t that different, but there are a few points to keep in mind. Here’s ten of the important ones.
In Australia you drive on the left side of the road.
If your licence is not in English, you will need an International driving licence.
Australia is big. Do not underestimate the amount of time required to get from one location to another. Capital cities in Australia can be thousands of kilometres apart.
It is compulsory to wear a seatbelt while driving in Australia. This rule applies to both the driver and passengers and fines for non-compliance can be high. Children under the age of seven must use a child seat.
In most cases you need to be at least 21 years old and have a full, unrestricted, licence to rent a car in Australia. Drivers under the age of 25 may be charged a surcharge to hire a car. Drivers over the age of 75 may require a medical certificate.
Speed limits vary across the country, ranging from 40 km/h in suburban areas to 120 km/h on major highways. Speed limits are strictly enforced and fines for exceeding limits are high. If you are fined for speeding in a rental car, you will be liable for the fine.
Rental cars in Australia come with insurance, but in the case of damage or if your rental vehicle is stolen, you’ll be liable for an excess which generally ranges from A$3,350 to $9,000.
Using a mobile phone while driving —or even when the vehicle is stationary — is illegal across Australia. Your phone must be mounted in a dock or another hands-free manner.
Driving a hire car under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offence in Australia. The legal limit is a blood alcohol level of 0.05 and penalties for breaking this limit can result in heavy fines and/or the loss of your licence.
You are not permitted to take a rental vehicle off-road, though you can drive on gazetted roads. An important example of a type of driving that is not permitted is driving on the beach on K’gari (previously Fraser Island). If you are unsure, please check with our customer care team.
Frequently asked questions
On hiring a car in Australia
How much does it cost to rent a car in Australia?
The price of a rental car in Australia varies according to many factors including the location you are wanting to collect your car from, the type of vehicle, the length of rental period, the age and nationality of the renter, and more. Learn more about the car rental process in Australia.
Is car hire expensive in Australia?
It can be! There are however many approaches to help you find inexpensive rental cars in Australia, including booking early, selecting a depot that is not a premium location, and taking advantage of car hire promotions.
What is included in the price of a rental car?
Rental cars hired through VroomVroomVroom are subject to a range of inclusions and exclusions. Typical inclusions include GST, stamp duty, basic insurance cover, one-way fees, airport and other premium location surcharges, and age surcharges.
Can I book a one-way car hire in Australia?
You sure can! One-way rentals are a very popular choice when it comes to renting cars in Australia. There are often surcharges for one-way rentals, and in some cases there are restrictions on inter-state travel in a rental car, but generally speaking, yes it is possible.
What age do I need to be to rent a car in Australia?
The minimum age to rent a car in Australia is 21 years old, and some rental provider may apply a surcharge — called a Young Driver Fee — for drivers under the age of 25.
Do I need a credit card to pick up a rental car?
Renting a car in Australia typically requires a credit or debit card. Accepted cards vary between rental car providers, and while on occasion some providers may accept cash, this generally requires contacting the rental provider beforehand.
Do I need an international driving licence when renting a car in Australia?
If you’re planning to rent a car in Australia, you’ll need a driver’s licence that is printed in English, so if your licence is in another language, you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with the licence from your country of residence.
Can I rent car in Australia with a UK driving licence?
If you’re a UK tourist in Australia you’re permitted to both hire a car and drive in Australia with a full British licence, but depending on the state or territory you are in, there may be limitations on how long you can do so.
Can I rent car in Australia with a US driving licence?
For most Australian states and territories, you’re permitted to drive indefinitely on a US licence (as long as you’re not in Australia on a permanent visa) while for New South Wales and Victoria you’re limited to six months, and three months in the Northern Territory.
How do I choose the right rental car?
One of the most important early decisions you need to make is what sort of hire car is best for you, and to answer this question, you first need to consider where you plan to drive. Just as there’s little point hiring a campervan if all you want to do is zip around the inner city, hiring a compact car for a family road trip from Darwin to Adelaide probably won’t be the wisest move of your holiday.
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