Aussie buyers usually land on one of three families. Open-frame petrol generators for flexible fuel and lower upfront cost. Diesel sets for long runtime and heavy home or site duty. Quiet portable inverter generators for camping, vans, and sensitive electronics. This hub compares those types and points you into each dedicated range.
Petrol vs Diesel vs Inverter Generators
Petrol generators
Petrol units are easy to fuel at any servo and cover everything from small shed backup to larger open-frame sets. They are usually lighter to buy into than diesel, but they burn more fuel on long runs and are typically louder than inverter models. Best when you want portable punch and petrol is already on hand. Browse the full petrol generators range.
Diesel generators
Diesel shines for home backup, farms, and sites that need hours of continuous power. Better fuel economy under load, strong torque for motors and pumps, and a fuel type many rural setups already store. Heavier and dearer upfront than small petrol sets, but the right pick when runtime and duty cycle matter most. See diesel generators.
Portable inverter generators
Inverter generators make clean, stable power that suits fridges, phones, laptops, and modern tools. They throttle with load, so they run quieter and sip fuel on light duty. Ideal for camping, caravans, and quiet suburban backup where neighbour-friendly noise matters. Explore portable inverter generators.
How the Three Types Compare
Noise
Inverters win for quiet camps and street-side backup. Open-frame petrol and many diesel sets are louder under load. If sleep and neighbours matter, start with an inverter; if you are on a remote block, raw output often beats silence.
Runtime and fuel
Diesel usually lasts longest per litre on continuous jobs. Petrol is convenient but thirstier on long nights. Inverters stretch a tank when the load is light because the engine can idle down. Match tank size and fuel type to how long blackouts or shifts actually run.
Power quality
Inverters deliver clean sine-wave power for electronics. Conventional petrol and diesel sets are fine for heaters, pumps, and many tools, but sensitive kit prefers inverter or a quality AVR-equipped unit. Check the appliance list before you choose.
Portability and cost
Small petrol and inverter units move easily. Larger diesel cabinets are for semi-permanent home or shed installs. Budget usually rises from compact petrol or inverter into long-range diesel as kVA and features climb.
Quick chooser
Generators by Job: Home Backup, Welding, and Mining
Home backup generators
Storms and grid dropouts need a set that can hold fridge, lights, and critical loads for hours. Diesel is a common home backup choice; larger petrol and some inverter units cover shorter outages. Shop generators for home backup when the priority is keeping the house going.
Generators for welding
Site and farm welding needs stable output and enough surge for the welder plus grinders. Dedicated welding-capable sets and higher-kVA petrol or diesel units belong here, not a tiny camping inverter. See generators for welding.
Generators for mining and heavy sites
Remote sites want rugged frames, serious continuous power, and fuel that matches the roster. Mining and industrial duty usually points to larger diesel or heavy petrol plant rather than recreational inverters. Browse generators for mining.
How to Size Generators for Real Loads
List running and starting watts
Add continuous watts for everything that will run together, then add surge for motors (fridges, pumps, compressors). Size the generator above that surge so it does not stall when loads kick in.
Single job vs whole-house
A camping inverter may only need to cover a fridge and lights. Home backup often wants diesel or a larger petrol set to hold lights, fridge, and a pump. Be honest about what must stay on.
Fuel you can actually get
Petrol is everywhere. Diesel suits farms and long backup. Do not buy a fuel type you cannot store safely or refill when the region is dry.
For home-focused setups see generators for home backup, and read our best diesel generators for home backup guide plus power stations vs generators if you are weighing a battery station instead.
Why Buy Generators from Outback SafeTrack
- Free Shipping: Orders over $299* ship free across Australia.
- Price Match Guarantee: Found generators cheaper elsewhere? Tell us and we will match it.
- Fast Delivery: Most orders arrive in 2-10 business days, or we will add a $100 gift voucher.
- 30-Day Returns: No restocking fees on eligible change-of-mind returns.
- Expert Support: Petrol, diesel, or inverter sizing questions. Call 1300 902 361.
- Type-first range: Clear paths into petrol, diesel, and inverter collections for Aussie use.
Ready to Choose Your Generator Type
Shop generators by fuel and duty, or jump straight to petrol, diesel, or portable inverter generators. For job-led ranges see home backup, welding, and mining. Not sure which type fits your load list? Call us and we will help you compare.
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