Driveway rental income in Australia varies more by location than most owners expect. Here are the ranges hosts are listing at across six major cities, with the factors that move the numbers.
Most homeowners walk past hundreds of dollars a month without noticing. The slab of concrete out the front, the side yard with the gate, the carport that hasn't seen a car in two years. These are the spaces other people are paying real money to rent. Driveway rental income in Australia has shifted from a fringe idea to a regular line item for thousands of households.
This is a practical look at what driveways earn, broken down by city. No hype, no inflated figures. Just the ranges hosts are listing at on StorageFinder, the factors that move those numbers up or down, and a straight answer on how the platform works.
Typical driveway rental income
$90 – $350 /month
Per driveway, depending on city, cover, and access. Covered or gated space earns more. You set your own price.
Ranges below are based on typical StorageFinder listings. Inner-suburb columns cover the higher-demand brackets within each city. Outer columns cover middle and outer rings.
| City | Inner / high-demand | Outer / middle ring |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $200–$350/mo | $120–$220/mo |
| Melbourne | $180–$300/mo | $100–$180/mo |
| Brisbane | $150–$260/mo | $90–$160/mo |
| Perth | $120–$220/mo | $80–$140/mo |
| Adelaide | $100–$180/mo | $70–$130/mo |
| Gold Coast | $140–$260/mo | $90–$160/mo |
Indicative ranges only. Actual rates depend on the specific space, suburb, and what's being stored.
Sydney is the highest-paying market in the country. Inner West and Eastern Suburbs driveways routinely list at $200 to $350 per month for a single covered space. North Shore and Northern Beaches sit in a similar bracket. Outer west, Sutherland Shire, and Hills District spaces run $120 to $220. The Sydney market is driven by tight residential parking, expensive commercial storage, and a high density of caravan and boat owners.
Inner-north suburbs like Brunswick, Northcote, and Carlton sit at $180 to $300 per month for covered space. Bayside, Hawthorn, and South Yarra are in the same band. Western suburbs and outer east tend to sit at $100 to $180. Melbourne hosts often see strong demand from city workers needing a place to leave a second car, plus weekend caravan travellers.
Inner suburbs (Paddington, New Farm, West End) list at $150 to $260 per month. The middle ring (Indooroopilly, Bulimba, Wilston) runs $120 to $200. Outer suburbs sit at $90 to $160. Brisbane's mix of boat owners, caravan travellers, and tradespeople with work vehicles keeps the storer side active year-round.
Inner suburbs like Mount Lawley, Subiaco, and Leederville list at $120 to $220 per month. Outer suburbs sit at $80 to $140. Coastal suburbs with boat and caravan demand (Hillarys, Mindarie, Fremantle) can pull $150 to $250 for hardstand suitable for a trailer or boat.
Inner suburbs (Norwood, Unley, North Adelaide) list at $100 to $180 per month. Outer suburbs run $70 to $130. Adelaide demand skews toward caravan and boat storage, particularly from households who use coastal storage during the off-season.
High boat ownership, dense residential streets, and a steady flow of seasonal visitors push demand up. Central Gold Coast and beachside suburbs list at $140 to $260 per month. Hinterland and outer Gold Coast sit at $90 to $160. Boat-suitable hardstand often runs at the higher end of the local range.
Curious what yours could earn?
Listings are free to create. Most hosts get a first enquiry within a week.
Location sets the floor. The space itself sets the ceiling. A driveway in a $300-per-month suburb can list at the top of the range or near the bottom depending on what you have.
On StorageFinder, 'driveway' covers a range of space types. The language matters because storers search by what they need to fit.
One sedan or small SUV width. Best for second-car storage or motorcycle storage.
Wide enough for two cars side by side, or a single van with room to walk around it. Suits work utes, vans, and trailers.
A driveway with a closing gate, fence, or side yard. The most popular format for caravan and boat storage. Earns the top of the local range.
Concrete, asphalt, or compacted gravel pad. Often outside fences. Suits trailers, equipment, and second vehicles.
Roof but no walls. Protects from sun and most weather. Earns 20 to 30 percent above open hardstand.
Fully enclosed and lockable. The highest-earning category. Common for motorbikes, classic cars, and high-value goods storage.
Listing is free. There is no monthly fee, no setup cost, no charge for photos or messaging with potential storers. StorageFinder takes a percentage commission only when a booking is completed and the storer is paying you for the space. That is the entire revenue model.
You set your own price. The platform shows comparable rates in your suburb to help you pitch it sensibly, but the number is yours. Payments are processed through Stripe, which means you don't chase invoices or handle cash. Your payout lands automatically each month after the storer pays.
Most driveway hosts in Australia earn between $90 and $350 per month per space, depending on city, suburb, cover, and what the space suits. Sydney and Melbourne inner suburbs sit at the top. Outer suburbs, regional cities, and open hardstand spaces sit lower. Multi-vehicle spaces or full lock-up garages can sit above the typical range.
In most cases, no. Renting a residential driveway for private vehicle storage is generally treated as incidental residential use, not a change of land use. The main exceptions are strata-titled properties, where by-laws may restrict use of car spaces, and a small number of councils with specific local rules. Check your council's planning page or speak to your strata manager before listing.
Sydney driveway rental cost ranges from about $120 to $350 per month. Inner suburbs and gated, covered, or large spaces sit at the top. Outer western suburbs and open hardstand spaces sit at the lower end. Multi-vehicle or work-vehicle spaces in high-demand areas can list above $400.
It's about as close to passive property income as residential homeowners get. Once a booking is in place, the storer pays monthly, payment is automated through Stripe, and the host's only ongoing work is occasional communication. Storage rental income is taxable and should be declared, typically as 'other income'. Speak to an accountant about deductions and your specific situation.
You don't pay anything. Listings are free to create and free to maintain. StorageFinder only earns when you do, through commission on completed bookings. If your listing isn't getting enquiries after a few weeks, check the photos, dimensions, and price against similar listings in your suburb. Small changes often turn a quiet listing into an active one.
Listings are free, take about ten minutes, and you can pause anytime. Most hosts receive a first enquiry within a week.
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