SIXT has passenger-car branches at major Australian airports, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Pickup locations vary: some branches are inside terminals, while others are in terminal car parks. A 24-hour return option does not mean the counter is staffed 24 hours a day.
SIXT’s Australian rental conditions, effective from June 2024, set minimum driver ages and general payment and use rules. The damage excess and security deposit depend on the vehicle and location, so check your booking details before collecting the car.
SIXT locations in Australia
SIXT’s Australian branch directory lists airport, city and regional locations. It also includes commercial-vehicle branches, so a directory entry alone does not confirm that a location offers passenger cars. The company says its Australian network includes both corporately owned and franchised locations, meaning the contracting provider can vary by branch.
SIXT’s airport pages and airport-authority listings confirm passenger-car service at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth airports. Check the specific branch and vehicle type when booking, especially for locations that appear in the directory under a commercial-vehicle category.
SIXT airport pickup and return
| Airport | Pickup arrangements | Published return information |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney (SYD) | SIXT’s counter is in the terminal arrivals area. | The branch describes 24-hour returns, with separate instructions for the international and domestic terminals. After-hours returns use designated SIXT parking and a key drop. The domestic return area is on Keith Smith Avenue, opposite T2 and T3. |
| Melbourne (MEL) | The counter is on the ground floor of the T1–T3 terminal car park, opposite Terminal 2. | The branch lists counter hours of 06:00–23:00 daily, including bank holidays, and 24-hour returns. Return to the car-rental area in the terminal car park and follow the SIXT signs to its bays. |
| Brisbane (BNE) | SIXT has locations at Domestic Level 1/P1 and International Level 2 in International Arrivals. | SIXT describes after-hours returns for passenger vehicles, subject to availability. Brisbane Airport publishes terminal-specific counter hours, which differ by terminal and day. A 24-hour return label does not promise staffed pickup at all hours. |
| Perth (PER) | Perth Airport lists SIXT among its on-airport hire providers. Hire-car counters are in terminal areas, with the location depending on the arrival terminal. | Perth Airport’s provider listing does not set out SIXT’s specific counter hours or after-hours return procedure. |
For an early or late flight, use the terminal and pickup time shown in the booking confirmation. If you plan to return the car outside counter hours, follow the branch’s instructions for parking and key return. A one-way rental may carry a variable fee, so confirm the return branch and charge in the booking.
Driver age and licence
Under SIXT’s Australian terms effective June 2024, drivers must be at least 21 for a standard vehicle. Some specified vehicle classes require drivers to be at least 25 unless SIXT gives written approval otherwise. SIXT also says a young-driver surcharge applies to renters under 25. The June 2024 terms do not state one national surcharge amount.
The driver must hold a current, non-provisional licence that remains valid for the full rental period and covers the vehicle class. SIXT’s airport guidance states that the licence must have been held for at least one year, with some variation by vehicle category.
For overseas licences, the terms accept a photo licence in English, an International Driving Permit, or a foreign photo licence accompanied by a NAATI-certified translation. SIXT must approve every driver, and additional drivers must appear in the rental documents.
Excess, deposit and payment
SIXT calls the renter’s damage liability the Damage Recovery Fee (DRF). The rental details document states the applicable amount; the June 2024 terms do not set one amount for every Australian rental. Optional damage protection may reduce the DRF, with the applicable cover and amount depending on the booking.
The security deposit is also shown during booking and in the confirmation. It varies by vehicle and location. SIXT may place a card hold for other charges, and the renter’s bank or card provider can take several business days to release a hold after SIXT processes any applicable charges. Debit-card or cash security requires prior approval. It is unavailable at some branches, and the deposit can be higher.
SIXT’s terms require a credit card acceptable to the company, generally in the main renter’s name. Debit cards are accepted only at selected locations and for selected vehicles; the terms specify Visa Debit or Debit Mastercard. Card fees vary. Cash is not accepted as a general rental payment method, although an approved cash security deposit is possible at some locations. Bringing a credit card in the main renter’s name is the clearest way to meet the stated payment condition.
The June 2024 terms specify a $40 late-return administration fee for each 24-hour period. Other possible charges include airport or premium-location fees, one-way fees, card fees, tolls, optional products, extra drivers and damage. Their amounts depend on the booking or circumstances.
Road, mileage and child-restraint rules
SIXT’s June 2024 terms prohibit off-road driving and driving through floodwaters. They also prohibit driving on unsafe roads or in airport airside areas. Roads closed by authorities or under an official warning are off-limits, and some routes and regions have separate restrictions. These location-specific restrictions apply alongside the general rules, so check the permitted route and vehicle class before travelling into remote areas.
Unsealed roads are restricted unless the vehicle meets SIXT’s stated four-wheel-drive equipment requirements and the hiring location confirms it is eligible. Driving above the Snow Line where chains are required requires the applicable Snow Pass. A four-wheel-drive vehicle alone does not establish permission to use every unsealed road.
SIXT’s published information does not establish a single nationwide mileage allowance or child-restraint price and condition. Check the booking terms for the specific vehicle and branch rather than assuming mileage is unlimited or a restraint is included.
Other airport hire providers
Airport-authority listings confirm that other rental brands also serve Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth airports. These lists establish local presence; they do not compare prices, vehicle availability or rental conditions.
| Airport | Providers listed by the airport authority |
|---|---|
| Brisbane | SIXT, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Redspot, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty |
| Melbourne | SIXT, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Redspot; Melbourne Airport’s comparison information also identifies Thrifty among the on-site providers |
| Perth | SIXT, Hertz, Europcar, Thrifty, Avis, Budget and Redspot |
Airport information places Brisbane’s on-airport rental partners at Domestic Level 1/P2 and International Level 2; off-airport providers have separate pickup arrangements. Melbourne’s on-site providers share the T1–T3 car-park pickup location. Perth hire-car counters are in terminal areas, depending on the arrival terminal.
Compare the total quoted cost and the rental details for the same dates and vehicle class. Airport presence alone does not show which provider has the lowest rate, accepts a particular card or offers the lowest DRF.