TL;DR: A fitted tyre price in Australia normally bundles the tyre plus mounting, wheel balancing, a new rubber valve and the old-tyre disposal levy — roughly $25–$45 per tyre in labour on top of the rubber. Wheel alignment is almost always a separate charge, and a "from $X" tyre-only price usually leaves all of this out.

What does a tyre fitting price actually include?

When a store quotes you a "fitted" price per tyre, it is bundling the cost of the tyre itself with the labour and consumables needed to get it safely on your car. In Australia that fitted price typically covers four things beyond the rubber: mounting the tyre to the rim, balancing the wheel, a new valve, and disposing of your old tyre. As a 2026 guide, the fitting-and-balancing labour runs about $25–$45 per tyre depending on the shop and rim size, with disposal a further $1–$5 per tyre (see the Going Rate tyre fitting cost guide).

The single most useful habit when buying tyres is to ask for the fitted, out-the-door price and compare stores on that number — not the tyre-only sticker. The next article in this series, tyre fitting, balancing and valve costs explained, itemises each line in detail.

The four things a fitted price usually covers

Line item	What it is	Usually included?
Mounting / fitting	Removing the old tyre and machine-fitting the new one to the rim	Yes
Wheel balancing	Adding weights so the wheel spins smoothly with no vibration	Yes
New valve	A fresh rubber valve stem so the tyre holds air reliably	Yes (rubber valve)
Disposal levy	The fee to recycle or dispose of your scrap tyre	Yes (small per-tyre charge)
Wheel alignment	Adjusting suspension angles so tyres wear evenly	No — usually separate
TPMS valve service	Service kit or new sensor valve where tyre-pressure sensors are fitted	No — extra per wheel

Mounting and balancing are the two you should never see charged separately at a reputable store selling you the tyre — they are the basic labour of the job. A new rubber valve should also be standard; skipping it is false economy because a perished old valve can leak. The disposal levy is a genuine cost the store passes on for recycling your scrap tyre, explained fully in what is the tyre disposal levy.

What is NOT included in a tyre fitting price?

Wheel alignment is the big one. It is a separate service — commonly around $90 as a guide, and cheaper if bundled into the same visit — because it adjusts your suspension angles rather than the tyres themselves. It is worth doing with new tyres so they wear evenly, but it is not part of the fitting price. See how much is a wheel alignment in Australia for the numbers.

The other common extra is anything to do with tyre-pressure monitoring. If your car has TPMS sensors inside the wheels, the store may charge a service kit (around $10–$20 per wheel) or, if a sensor has failed, a replacement. Metal valve stems, nitrogen fills and premium "road hazard" warranties are also add-ons rather than standard inclusions.

What does a "from $X" tyre price hide?

A "from $89" headline is almost always the tyre only, in the smallest size, before fitting. By the time you add mounting, balancing, a valve and disposal across four wheels, the real out-the-door figure can be $100–$180 more than four times the sticker. This is why component or "drip" pricing is such a trap: the advertised number is technically true but not what you pay. The ACCC's guidance on how businesses must display prices is a useful reminder that the total price is what matters. We list the usual culprits in hidden fees to watch for on an Australian tyre quote.

When you buy from an online retailer that ships to a fitter, the same rule applies: the online price is the tyre, and the partner fitter charges the fitting separately — so compare the combined total, as we explain in Tyroola vs in-store. Major chains such as Bob Jane and Tyrepower typically quote a fitted price when you ask, but you have to ask.

Bottom line

A fitted price includes the tyre, mounting, balancing, a valve and disposal — but not wheel alignment or TPMS work. Always compare stores on the fitted, out-the-door total, never the "from $X" sticker.

Judge the whole thing on cost per kilometre, not the cheapest quote, and never fit a tyre below your car's placard load index and speed rating to save a few dollars.

Frequently asked questions

Is balancing included when I buy tyres?

Yes. At a reputable Australian tyre store, wheel balancing is part of the fitted price along with mounting, a new rubber valve and disposal. If a quote lists balancing as a separate line, ask why.

Is wheel alignment included in a tyre fitting price?

No. Wheel alignment is almost always a separate service, commonly around $90 as a 2026 guide. It is worth doing with new tyres, but it is not part of the fitting cost.

Why is the fitted price so much higher than the advertised tyre price?

Because "from $X" advertising usually shows the tyre only, in the smallest size, before labour. Mounting, balancing, valves and disposal across four wheels can add $100–$180 to the total, which is why you should always ask for the out-the-door fitted price.

Should I pay extra for a metal or TPMS valve?

A standard rubber valve is included and fine for most cars. If your car has tyre-pressure sensors, a TPMS service kit (around $10–$20 per wheel) is a sensible extra to keep the sensors sealing properly, but a plain metal valve upgrade is optional.