Perth is a city built for driving. The open roads to the Swan Valley, the coastal run south to Mandurah, the long stretches leading to Margaret River — none of it is really possible without your own wheels. Hiring a car is the most flexible and cost-effective way to explore everything Western Australia has on offer, and the process is far simpler than most first-timers expect.

This guide covers every step — from choosing the right car to driving away — so you know exactly what to expect and can get on the road without fuss or surprises.

🚗 Ready to Hit the Road? Burswood Car Rentals has been Perth’s trusted hire company for over 40 years. From $25/day. No hidden fees. No rental stickers. Price match guarantee. →  Get a Quote Today →

What You Need Before You Book

Before making any booking, get these essentials sorted:

• A current driver’s licence — Australian licence holders can use their state licence. International visitors need their foreign licence; if it isn’t in English, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required alongside it.
• A credit or debit card — Burswood Car Rentals charges a security bond on pick-up ($400 for standard vehicles, $500 for luxury). Debit cards are accepted with an additional $200 bond. Note: prepaid credit cards, Afterpay, Zippay and Klarna are not accepted.
• Minimum age — You must be at least 19 years old to hire from Burswood Car Rentals.

💡  Tip: If you’re travelling as a couple or group, add extra drivers to the booking at no extra charge — a genuine advantage at Burswood that many other operators charge for.

Step-by-Step: How to Hire a Car in Perth

Step 1: Choose Your Vehicle

Start by thinking about what the car needs to do. A solo traveller or couple exploring the city is well served by an economical small car like the Kia Rio from around $25–$30/day. A family road trip to Margaret River calls for a Toyota Corolla or Toyota Camry Hybrid — spacious, fuel-efficient, and comfortable on long runs. Travelling with a larger group? The Kia Carnival 8-seater people mover carries eight passengers with luggage. Heading to the regions or need to haul gear? A ute hire from $76/day covers the heavy work. Browse the full fleet and choose the right tool for your trip.

Step 2: Check Kilometre Inclusions

Different vehicle categories include different free daily kilometre allowances. Economy and mid-size cars typically include 200 km/day — more than enough for most Perth-based trips and reasonable day drives. If you’re planning a long road trip to Kalbarri, Esperance, or across the state, confirm the daily limit and any excess kilometre costs before booking.

 

✅  Burswood Advantage: At Burswood, the car you book is the car you drive. No surprise upgrades or downgrades — a common trick at some other rental agencies.

 

Step 3: Compare Rates and Check for Specials

Burswood Car Rentals maintains year-round special offers including discounted winter rates across the entire fleet. Their price match promise means that if you find a cheaper equivalent rate elsewhere, they’ll match it. When comparing rates between providers, always check whether the advertised price is genuinely all-inclusive — some companies add insurance levies, airport surcharges, and administration fees at checkout that substantially inflate the final cost.

Step 4: Make Your Booking

Online booking at Burswood is straightforward — select your pickup and drop-off location, dates and times, vehicle type, and driver age via the quote form. You can also book by phone on (08) 9362 4777. No payment is taken until the day before collection. If you need to add extras — child seats ($5/day), GPS (most vehicles have Android Auto or Apple CarPlay built in), a cooler/esky, or deck chairs — include these at booking.

Step 5: Arrange Your Pick-Up

Burswood Car Rentals is located at 16 Teddington Road, Burswood — right next to the Crown Hotel and just minutes from the Perth CBD. Pick-up is straightforward from the depot during business hours (8am–5pm Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm Saturday and Sunday). Outside these hours, pre-arranged collections are available around the clock.

Alternatively, Burswood can deliver your vehicle to any Perth airport or hotel within 20km — especially useful if you’re flying in and want to be on the road immediately without a detour to the depot.

Step 6: Collect Your Car

When you arrive, bring your driver’s licence and credit card. The team will process your bond, confirm the vehicle details, walk you through the car, and get you on your way. Burswood’s fast booking system minimises paperwork — most people are on the road within minutes of arriving.

Take photos or video of the vehicle before you drive off — note any existing marks or damage and confirm these are recorded on your rental agreement. This simple step protects you completely at return.

Step 7: Return the Vehicle

Return the car at the agreed time with a full fuel tank (Burswood supplies a full tank and expects a full tank in return — if you return it short, a fuel charge of $3.50/litre applies). Return the car in the same condition it left in, and your bond will be released promptly.

 

💡  Fuel tip: Fill up before you hit the return route rather than at the petrol station immediately adjacent to the depot — prices vary and a station a kilometre or two out is often cheaper.

 

What to Bring to Your Pickup — Quick Checklist

Item	Details
Current driver’s licence	Australian state licence or international licence + IDP if non-English
Credit or debit card	In your name. Bond: $400 standard / $500 luxury. Debit: +$200 bond
Booking confirmation	Email or reference number
Passengers’ licences	If additional drivers are being added to the agreement

 

Understanding Your Damage Cover

Every Burswood vehicle is covered by comprehensive insurance. What sets Burswood apart is the option to reduce your damage liability — bringing the bond down from $400 to either $300 or $200 depending on your chosen level of cover. For most travellers who want complete peace of mind, reducing liability is worth considering.

For full details on cover options, see the Burswood FAQs.

 

✅  Burswood Advantage: No rental stickers on any Burswood vehicles. Rental stickers attract opportunistic theft — particularly of bags and gear left in the car. No stickers means less risk for you.

 

Common Mistakes First-Time Hirers Make in Perth

Mistake	What to Do Instead
Not reading kilometre inclusions	Check your daily km limit and factor extra kms into your trip budget
Assuming airport pick-up is automatic	Confirm delivery or pick-up arrangements at booking — don’t assume
Using a prepaid card	Use a standard credit or debit card — Burswood doesn’t accept prepaid cards
Not photographing the car at pick-up	Always document existing marks before driving away
Returning with an empty tank	Return full — or budget the $3.50/litre charge if that’s easier
Waiting to book during peak season	Book ahead — summer and school holidays reduce availability fast

 

🔑 Start Your Perth Adventure Over 40 years of trusted car hire in Perth. No hidden fees, no rental stickers, price match guarantee. Get a quote in under a minute. →  Get a Quote Now →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum age to hire a car in Perth at Burswood?

You need to be at least 19 years old to hire a car from Burswood Car Rentals.

Can international visitors hire a car in Perth?

Yes. You’ll need your foreign driver’s licence. If it isn’t in English, you’ll also need an International Driving Permit (IDP), which you can obtain through your country’s automobile association before travelling.

What payment methods are accepted?

Credit and debit cards are accepted. An additional $200 bond applies for debit cards. Burswood does not accept Afterpay, Zippay, Klarna, or any prepaid credit cards.

Can someone else pick up the car if it’s booked in my name?

Yes — they just need a current driver’s licence.

Is roadside assistance included?

Yes. All Burswood vehicles include 24/7 RAC roadside assistance. If the breakdown is due to a fault with the vehicle, there’s no charge. If the cause is driver error (flat tyre from a pothole, running out of fuel, etc.), a $165 charge applies.

What happens if I need to change my booking?

Burswood is flexible — you can adjust booking details at any time. Contact the team directly if your plans change.