Best car rental companies in Australia: Comprehensive guide

Australia is vast – they don’t call a big part of it the “Great Outback” for nothing. Cities are widely spread apart, and many of the best touristic spots sit far from public transport routes. If you’re planning to explore as many of Australia’s greatest sights as possible, renting a car will give you flexibility and peace of mind. Picture yourself on coastal drives, exploring national parks, or remote towns, and having your own reliable vehicle.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best car rental companies in Australia, including their services, locations, and what to expect when booking.

Which are the best car rental companies in Australia?

Australia has a large car rental market with both international brands and local providers. Most companies operate in major cities and airports, and many offer flexible booking options.

Please note that the minimum age to rent a car in Australia is generally 21 years old. Drivers under 25 often pay a “young driver surcharge” and may be restricted to smaller models, depending on company policy.

Below, we’ve selected some of the best options based on availability, services, and how renowned they are.

Hertz

Overview:
Hertz is an international and very much renowned car rental company that was founded way back in 1918. It has a strong presence in Australia, with over 220 locations nationwide, providing rental services for both residents and international travelers.

Where does the company operate?
Hertz has an extensive network of car rental offices across Australia. You’ll find them in major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, as well as in many regional areas and neighborhood locations throughout the country.

How can you rent a car?
Cars can be reserved online through the Hertz website. You can also arrange directly at Hertz rental locations across Australia.

Additional services:
Hertz offers a wide range of vehicles to meet different travel needs, including compact cars, luxury sedans, SUVs, sports cars, 4WD vehicles, electric vehicles, and vans.

Additional services include:

• Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, a free loyalty program that allows customers to earn points toward free rental days and upgrades.
• Skip-the-counter pickup at select locations, allowing members to go directly to their vehicle.
• 24-hour roadside assistance available across Australia for mechanical issues.
• Optional extras such as GPS navigation (NeverLost®), child seats, and additional driver options.
• Specialty vehicles available through Prestige, Adrenaline, and Dream Collections.

Airport presence:
Hertz operates at all major airports across Australia, including Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

One-way rentals:
Hertz one-way rentals are available between many locations across Australia. Travelers can pick up a vehicle in one city and return it in another, with options available at over 200 locations. Availability and conditions must be confirmed at the time of booking.

Avis

Overview:
Avis is a global and established car rental company founded in 1946, with a strong presence in Australia through the Avis Budget Group. Known for its extensive fleet and customer-focused services, Avis operates in more than 220 locations nationwide, serving both business and leisure travellers.

Where does the company operate?
Avis has a wide network of locations across Australia, including major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Darwin, as well as regional destinations like Cairns and the Gold Coast. Its offices are conveniently located in city centers, neighborhood branches, and major airports, providing flexible pickup and drop-off options.

How can you rent a car?
Rental cars can be booked online via the Avis website or mobile app. You can also rent directly at Avis locations across Australia. The Avis Preferred loyalty program allows members to skip the counter at select locations and access a faster pickup experience.

Additional services:
Avis offers a diverse fleet that caters to a wide range of travel needs, including economy and compact cars, standard sedans, full-size vehicles, SUVs, and premium models through the Signature Series luxury range.

Beyond passenger vehicles, Avis provides commercial options such as vans, trucks, trailers, and buses (including 12–25-seater vehicles), making it suitable for both personal and business use.

Additional services include:

• Flexible rental durations, from a few hours up to 11 months, with daily, monthly, and long-term options available.
• Roadside Assistance Cover, which includes support for non-mechanical issues such as lockouts, flat batteries, and towing (up to specified limits).
• Optional extras such as additional drivers, GPS navigation, and fuel service options.
  Integration with Linkt for seamless toll road payments during rentals.

Airport presence:
Avis operates at major airports across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Gold Coast, with convenient on-site counters and after-hours return options available at select locations.

One-way rentals:
Avis offers one-way rentals between select locations across Australia. This option allows travelers to collect a vehicle in one city and return it in another. Availability and fees vary depending on the route and demand. 

Budget

Overview:
Budget is an international car rental company offering affordable and flexible rental options. In Australia, it operates over 200 locations and serves a wide range of travelers, from budget-conscious tourists to business users. It is known for providing a reliable and award-winning service. It was founded in 1965.

Where does the company operate?
Budget has locations throughout Australia, including major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, and Hobart, as well as regional hubs.

How can you rent a car?
You can book cars online via the Budget website or app. Rentals are also available at physical branches across the country, including airport counters and city locations. The Fastbreak program allows faster pick-up and return at participating locations.

Additional services:
Budget provides a diverse fleet of vehicles to suit any need, from compact cars and sedans to SUVs and vans, plus electric vehicles.

Additional services include:

• Budget Fastbreak for expedited rentals.
• Optional extras like GPS, child seats, additional drivers, and pre-paid fuel
• Flexible rental durations: daily, weekly, long-term, and Budget Break-Free (no contract lock-ins)
• Insurance and protection packages.
• 24/7 roadside assistance covering breakdowns, lockouts, jump-starts, tyre changes, and towing up to 100 km.
• Qantas Frequent Flyer Points: earn 4 points per dollar on eligible rentals in Australia and 700 points per rental overseas.

Airport presence:
Budget operates at most major Australian airports, including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Perth, with convenient pick-up locations inside terminals and nearby car parks.

One-way rentals:
One-way rentals are available between selected locations. Fees and availability vary by location, so you must check when booking. Popular options include Canberra to Sydney, Brisbane to the Gold Coast, and other intercity trips.

Europcar

Overview:
Europcar is a global car rental company founded in 1949, operating in over 160 countries. In Australia, it operates as CLA Trading Pty Ltd, headquartered in Tullamarine, Victoria, with more than 100 locations nationwide. It offers a wide range of vehicles and services for both leisure and business travelers.

Where does the company operate?
Europcar has locations across Australia, including major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, and regional and tourist destinations. Branches are conveniently located in city centers, near railway hubs, and within airport terminals for easy collection.

How can you rent a car?
Cars can be booked online via the Europcar website or app, or directly at branch locations. Customers can select pick-up and drop-off points, choose the vehicle type, and add optional extras.

Additional services:
Europcar provides a diverse fleet to suit all travel needs from economy and compact cars to spacious sedans and SUVs. There are also vans and commercial vehicles for moving goods or equipment

Additional services include:

• Optional extras: GPS, child seats, booster cushions, and additional drivers.
• Out-of-hours collection and key return options are available at select locations.

• Protection packages including Roadside Assistance Plus.
• Cross-border travel packs for interstate or international travel.
• Corporate mobility solutions for businesses, including recurring bookings and fleet management.
• Loyalty program “Privilege For You” offering discounts, upgrades, and priority treatment.

Airport presence:
Europcar operates at most major airports across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.

One-way rentals:
Europcar one-way rentals are available between many locations in Australia, depending on availability and booking conditions.

Thrifty

Overview:
Thrifty is a well-known car rental company that originated in the US in 1958. In Australia, it offers a strong network of locations, plus decades of experience serving leisure and business travelers.

Where does the company operate?
Thrifty has over 236 locations across Australia, including major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, and regional centers.

How can you rent a car?
Cars can be booked online through the Thrifty website or directly at branches. The booking platform allows you to select pick-up and drop-off locations, rental dates, vehicle type, and optional extras.

Additional services:

Thrifty offers a wide range of vehicles and services including compact cars, sedans, SUVs, 4x4s, full-size vans, and commercial vans.

Additional services include:

• Out-of-hours collection and key drop options are available at select locations.
• Optional extras including GPS navigation, child seats (infant, child, booster), additional drivers, and Toll Cover for unlimited toll road use
• Pre-paid fuel options and refueling service for convenience.
• Roadside assistance and Premium Roadside Assistance for customer-caused incidents.
• Flexible insurance packages for peace of mind.
• Free Blue Chip Membership Program offering 15% off rentals and exclusive deals.

Airport presence:
Thrifty operates at major airports across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin, Brisbane, and Perth, allowing convenient pick-up and drop-off for travelers.

One-way rentals:
One-way rentals are available across 170+ locations, allowing vehicles to be collected at one branch and returned to another. This service is subject to availability and potential fees.

Choosing the right car rental for your Australian adventure

Exploring Australia by car gives you freedom and peace of mind, allowing you to explore the vast country at your own pace. You can prioritize affordability, luxury, or flexibility, by choosing from one of the major car rental companies in Australia – Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, and Thrifty.

Here’s a table summary of the most important details to help you compare and choose the best option:

Each of these Australian car rental companies bring their own strengths. Whether it’s loyalty rewards, specialty vehicles, 24/7 roadside support, or flexible one-way rental options. By considering your travel style, planned locations, and vehicle needs, you can select the provider that best enhances your experience down under. We’ve also created a helpful guide on how to drive well in Australia.

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Letara Draghia

English Copywriter

I've been a copywriter for over a decade, working mostly in the retail industry. I've managed copywriting teams and contributed to major campaigns for F&F at Tesco, TK Maxx, and Dreams. I also work part-time as a news writer. Outside of work, I love to cook, and a fun fact about me is that I have a phobia of bananas—it's the smell!

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