How Much Does Car Key Replacement Cost in Australia?

Car key replacement cost in Australia — the short answer

Quick Answer: Most car key replacements in Australia cost between $150 and $300 when done by a mobile automotive locksmith, with the key supplied, cut and programmed at your location. A standard remote key for popular makes like Toyota, Ford, Mazda and Hyundai starts at $150–$189. Smart (push-button) keys typically start from $250–$300. Dealerships charge 2–4x more and take days instead of hours. Later-model, European and comfort-access keys can cost more, and all-keys-lost jobs are quoted per vehicle.

Losing a car key — or being down to your last one — always raises the same question first: what’s this going to cost me? The honest answer is “it depends on your car,” but that’s not helpful when you’re stressed and ringing around. So here are our real prices, by make, from the thousands of keys we cut and program across Melbourne every year.

What affects the price of a replacement car key?

1. Key type. A basic key is cheapest. A remote key costs a little more. Proximity/push-start smart keys sit at the top because of the electronics inside and the programming involved.
2. Make and year. European cars (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, VW) use more secure key systems than most Japanese and Korean cars — and security jumped again on many makes after 2013 and 2023.
3. Whether you still have a working key. A spare from a working key is cheaper and faster. All-keys-lost needs the locksmith to decode the lock and read the immobiliser directly from the car.
4. Who does it. Mobile locksmith vs. dealership — see below.

Car key replacement cost by make (2026)

Every make has its own page with model-by-model pricing — see the full list of brands or use the price checker below.

Why do dealerships charge so much more?

Three reasons: they order the key from the manufacturer (freight plus markup), they charge workshop labour to program it, and if you’ve lost every key you’ll need the car towed to them. A dealership key that costs $600–$900 and takes 5–10 business days is routinely a same-day, $189–$300 job for a mobile automotive locksmith carrying current programming equipment. The programmed key works exactly like the original — lock, unlock, boot and start.

How much does it cost if I’ve lost all my keys?

All-keys-lost costs more than cutting a spare and is quoted per vehicle, because what’s involved depends on the exact year and immobiliser system. The locksmith has to open the car, decode the lock, read the immobiliser data and program a key from scratch. It’s still done at the car — no tow, no dealer — and we confirm the price with you before heading out. If you’re down to one working key, making a spare now is the cheapest insurance you’ll ever buy.

Is a cheap replacement key from eBay worth it?

Usually not. Online keys are often incompatible with Australian-market immobilisers, arrive uncut, and still need programming — which many locksmiths decline because aftermarket boards fail at a high rate. By the time you’ve paid separately for the key, the cutting and the programming, you’ve saved little and taken on all the risk.

How long does car key replacement take?

With a mobile locksmith: a spare key is usually done inside an hour at the vehicle, same day. All-keys-lost takes longer, especially on European cars. Dealerships: typically 5–10 business days plus towing.

Does car insurance or roadside assistance cover lost keys?

Some comprehensive policies include key replacement cover (often a $500–$1,000 limit) — check your PDS for “lost or stolen keys.” Roadside assistance generally covers lockouts, not key replacement itself.

Get an exact price for your car

Every model and year is different, which is why generic answers frustrate everyone. Call or text 0421 113 736 with your rego or your car’s make, model and year, and we’ll give you a fixed price in minutes — we come to you anywhere in Melbourne, seven days, 6:00 to 22:00. Rated 4.9 from 200+ Google reviews.