Toll roads are common throughout Australia’s capital cities — particularly Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. If you’re driving a hire car through any of them, you’re responsible for the toll, so it pays to understand how toll roads in Australia actually work before you set off.
Here are five essential tips to help you pay correctly, avoid penalty fees, and budget tolls into your trip.
How Toll Roads in Australia Work
Unlike many other countries, toll roads in Australia are entirely cashless. There are no toll booths to stop at — you pay electronically, either through a tag fitted to your windscreen or a prepaid pass linked to your vehicle’s number plate. The amount charged depends on the specific road and your vehicle type, with larger vehicles like trucks generally paying more than a standard sedan.
Tip 1: Set Up a Linkt Account or Pass Before You Drive
Electronic tags are the easiest way to pay. The device sits on your windscreen and automatically deducts the toll as you pass under the gantry. Melbourne’s toll roads used to run on a separate “CityLink” account, but this has since been folded into Linkt, which now covers Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane under one account or pass.
If you’re only passing through for a short trip, you don’t need a full account — a short-term pass covers you without any ongoing commitment.
Tip 2: Know Which Cities Have Toll Roads
Not every state has them, and the networks differ:
- Sydney (NSW): the M2, M4, M5, M7, plus the Harbour Bridge and Harbour Tunnel — all run through Linkt
- Melbourne (VIC): CityLink and EastLink — EastLink is a separate operator, but Linkt accounts also cover it
- Brisbane (QLD): the Gateway, Logan and Legacy Way motorways — also run through Linkt
Perth and the rest of Western Australia currently have no toll roads, so this only matters if your trip takes you interstate.
Tip 3: Know What Happens If You Miss a Toll Payment
It happens — you forget to buy a pass, or a last-minute route change puts you on a toll road you didn’t plan for. If that happens, a Toll Notice is sent to the vehicle’s registered operator, covering the toll cost plus an administration fee. Ignore it, and a Penalty Notice exceeding $165 can follow.
You can avoid the extra fees by buying a pass within 3 days of your trip, or opening an account within 7 days. If you’re driving a rental car, any toll notice goes to the rental company first, and you’ll be charged the toll plus fees on your account.
Tip 4: Ask Your Rental Company About Their Toll Pass
Many rental companies already hold their own toll account, which makes things far simpler — tolls are simply added to your bill when you return the car, with no separate pass to buy. Always ask before you drive off. If you’re picking up a hire car in Perth for an interstate trip, our guide on what to sort before hiring a car covers the other questions worth asking at pick-up.
Tip 5: Budget Toll Costs Into Your Road Trip
Tolls are easy to forget when you’re planning a route, but they add up fast on a longer trip — Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and the M7 alone can add over $20 to a single day’s driving. Before you set off, check the toll operator’s cost calculator for your route, and use our fuel and trip cost calculator to get a full picture of what the trip will actually cost.
FAQs About Toll Roads in Australia
Are all toll roads in Australia cashless?
Yes. There are no cash booths on any Australian toll road — payment is entirely electronic, via a tag or a prepaid pass.
What happens if I drive on a toll road without a pass?
A Toll Notice is sent to the vehicle’s registered operator with the toll cost plus an admin fee. Pay within 3 days (pass) or 7 days (account) to avoid a Penalty Notice of $165 or more.
Is CityLink still a separate account?
No — CityLink’s tolling system was absorbed into Linkt in 2018. One Linkt account or pass now covers Melbourne (CityLink and EastLink), Sydney and Brisbane.
Do rental cars come with a toll pass included?
It depends on the company. Many hold their own account and simply bill tolls to your final invoice — always confirm at pick-up.
Does Western Australia have toll roads?
No. WA currently has no toll roads, so this only applies if you’re driving a hire car interstate.
Ready to Hit the Road?
Sorting out your toll pass takes a couple of minutes and saves you a $165 headache later. When you’re ready to book your next trip, hire a car in Perth with Ace Rent A Car.