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Hi,
I'm in the market to purchase a brand new car of around $36K. I'm interested in the Skoda Rapid, Octavia, VW Golf and Holden Barina RS (because there is a currently promotion whereby it is selling for $23990.
Looking at automatic / DSG transmission.
Wanted to see out of all these cars which one is the most reliable, best value for money and which has the best quality interior
Also is there any known mechanical and quality issues.
If it was your money, which one of these cars will you go for.

Thanks

As all these cars are brand new, reliability is not such an issue and all should be good for a few years to come - plus you have the comfort in knowing that if there is a failure within the next 3 years, you're covered by warranty.
It's probably unfair to pitch the Barina RS against the others, as it's a much smaller car and really a little outclassed in this company.
Skoda an VW product really comes from the same stable. The Octavia is arguable the most conservative - but it's a very nice car with a quality feel and a fairly upmarket cabin ambience. The Rapid slots into the Skoda range below the Octavia and has the practicality of a liftback.
However, from an all-round value for money, quality feel, popular model (therefore, depreciation shouldn't affect it as much as the Skoda might), I think the Golf would be the one to have.

Just out of interest, because the Barina RS is so cheap and so well spec I'm also interested in it
Is there anything that I need to be looking out for?

I don't think there's anything you need to look out for, but it's a relatively new model, so time may tell. Having said that, like the others you mention, it's a new car with a full warranty, so you're covered for 3 years should something fail.
However, really and truly, the Barina RS competes with the Suzuki Swift Sport, Honda Jazz RS etc.
You mentioned interior cabin quality, and in my view, it doesn't have the interior fit and finish quality of the others you mentioned.