So giving up your car and switching to transit can save you anywhere from $232 to $498 per month, or $2,784 to $5,976 per year. In many cities, the savings are even greater because parking is so expensive.
Living in your car eliminates one of your biggest expenses — housing. You also won't have to worry about the other costs that come with renting or owning a home, including utilities, decorations, and internet.
As a general rule, it's wise to spend less than half of your savings on a car, provided you can get one that is fit for purpose. If you feel you need to spend a higher proportion, it's best to do this only if you're confident you'll be able to top your savings up quickly.
A study commissioned by the Australian Railway Association (ARA) found that commuting to work by bus is cheaper than driving to work.
In major cities, you'll have the choice of a range of public transport options – trains, trams, buses and ferries – but depending on how far out of the city you live the frequency and travel times will vary. If you live in an inner suburb, public transport should generally be an easy and reliable way of getting around.
You don't need a car in either Sydney or Melbourne. Both have excellent public transport, covered by Opal & Myki cards respectively. If you are doing day trips beyond the cities, rent a car for that on the day you go.
Why Buy a Car in Australia? Having your own car gives you the freedom to travel where you want in Australia, within in reason, of course. It can also come in handy when it comes to finding work, especially second year visa work.
A short road trip in Australia can cost around $1,500, but a year-long journey would set you back between $25,000 to nearly $83,000, depending on how you like to travel.
According to the AAA, Australian households are spending 15.1 per cent of their income on transport costs, a staggering 2.5 per cent increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, where the average weekly spend was $309.92.
How much should you spend on a car based on your income? As a rule of thumb, you should never spend anything more than 100% of your income. Generally, it is advisable to spend between 10-15% of your annual income, and if you want to buy the car of your dream you can consider spending 15-30% of your income.
It is a safer means of transport
Many people give up buying a truck because the thought is generated that they will be more exposed to accidents due to be driving a vehicle. However, your own car allows you to have control of the environment in which you transport yourself.
Wearing a seat belt keeps you safe inside a vehicle and has been proven to save lives. Even in the back seat, a seat belt keeps you safer and increases your chance of surviving a crash.
The Energy Saving Trust says that the most efficient speed you can travel in a car in terms of achieving the best fuel economy is 55-65mph. Any faster, though, and the fuel efficiency decreases rapidly.
Slow Down and Drive Conservatively
Speeding increases fuel consumption and decreases fuel economy as a result of tire rolling resistance and air resistance. While vehicles reach optimal fuel economy at different speeds, gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 miles per hour (mph).
Generally speaking, yes. Cruise control can help you become more fuel-efficient and can help you save an average of 7-14% on gas thanks to its ability to maintain a continuous speed. In comparison, the constant change in acceleration and deceleration of the driver placing their foot over the pedals can eat more gas.
The average vehicle travelled 13,301 km per year, or 36.4 km per day in Australia in 2020.
You can drive across Australia by following the Stuart Highway which runs from North to South for 2.834 km (1,761 mi). The road is fully sealed and can be driven by any type of car. Driving from East to West can be done following the Outback Highway but this is a 4wd road trip only.
Australia Standard Hours of Service Rule
A driver operating within the Australia Standard Hours of Service rules cannot work no more than 12 hours in a 24 hour day. A driver operating within the Australia Standard Hours of Service rules cannot drive more than 12 hours in a 24 hour period.
Import tariff: Importing cars from overseas can cost around 5% of their value, though this may vary depending on their country of origin. Goods and Services Tax (GST): Like other goods and services in Australia, this tax costs 10% of a car's value.
Australians drive on the left side of two-way roads. Ask passengers to remind you of this every time you set off and when you are turning at an intersection. You should always use pedestrian crossings where possible and remember to look right, then left and then right again when you are walking across the street.
A study has revealed that Australia is the most affordable country in the world to own a car. Australia is the most affordable country in the world to own a brand-new car, according to a new study out of the UK.
Vehicles that aren't driven regularly will drain the battery. There are multiple systems that still draw power as a vehicle sits. Your car's battery will recharge as you drive which is why a battery can last for several years. There is no set time for how long the car needs to be parked for the battery to drain.
The average age of Australia's vehicle fleet is 10.1 years, although more than 30 per cent of vehicles on the road are fewer than five years old.