Padel has a reputation as an affordable, social sport — but what does it actually cost to play in Australia? Here is a realistic breakdown for someone starting out.
Court hire
The main cost is hiring the court. Venues charge per court per hour, typically somewhere around $40 to $60 at peak times, with cheaper off-peak rates. The important part: padel is doubles, so that fee is split four ways. Your share of an hour on court usually lands at roughly $10 to $15 — less than a cinema ticket.
Racket and ball hire
You do not need to own anything to start. Almost every club hires rackets, usually for a small fee of a few dollars, and sells balls by the tube. That means your first few sessions can cost nothing beyond your share of the court.
Lessons
Lessons are optional but speed up your progress. Group coaching sessions are the cheaper route; private coaching costs more per hour. Many players skip formal lessons entirely and simply learn by playing — padel is forgiving enough that you can.
Buying your own gear
Once you are hooked, a racket of your own makes a real difference. A good beginner racket costs around $90 to $160 in Australia, plus court shoes if you do not already have a suitable pair. After that, padel is close to a fixed cost: just your share of the court.
The cheapest way to start
Hire a racket, split a court with three friends, and play. It is one of the most affordable racket sports to try. When you are ready to buy, our racket finder quiz finds a racket to suit your budget, and the court finder shows venues near you.