Pallet Freight Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of interstate pallet freight in Australia.
Your pallet freight details
Your estimate sits within the typical range.
Your estimate sits within the typical range.
Freight is priced on whichever is greater, actual weight or cubic (volumetric) weight. Light bulky pallets can be charged on volume, not scale weight.
Ways to save
- Keep pallets under about 1.4m high with no base overhang; light-and-bulky freight gets charged on cubic weight, so height quietly inflates the price.
- Single-pallet jobs are punishing per pallet (often $750–$900 for two on a one-off) versus around $200 consolidated, so use freight-matching platforms like Loadshift or Truckit to ride an existing lane for 30–50% less.
- Standard road over a few extra days is much cheaper than express, which is both 30–60% dearer and charged on a tighter cubic conversion.
How we estimate this
Interstate pallet freight is usually $60–$200 per pallet on a consolidated load, but the headline rate hides fuel levies and GST. A Sydney–Melbourne pallet, for example, might be $150 base plus a fuel surcharge of around 24% plus GST, landing near $204. Metro and intrastate runs sit at the lower end ($56–$200), while east-coast-to-Perth pallets run $200–$500+ because return loads are scarce.
Pricing reviewed: October 2026.
Pricing reviewed October 2026. Indicative Australian costs, not a quote.
Understanding pallet freight costs in Australia
Interstate pallet freight is usually $60–$200 per pallet on a consolidated load, but the headline rate hides fuel levies and GST. A Sydney–Melbourne pallet, for example, might be $150 base plus a fuel surcharge of around 24% plus GST, landing near $204. Metro and intrastate runs sit at the lower end ($56–$200), while east-coast-to-Perth pallets run $200–$500+ because return loads are scarce.
Freight is charged on the greater of actual weight or cubic (volumetric) weight, and this is where light, bulky pallets get expensive. Standard road uses a conversion of 333 kg per cubic metre and express a tighter 250 kg, so a 1.2 by 1.2 by 1.65 metre pallet of 2.376 cubic metres is billed at roughly 791 chargeable kilograms even if it physically weighs 400. Keeping pallets low and within footprint directly lowers the cost.
Service level and access add further. Express is typically 30–60% dearer than standard road, and a tail-lift surcharge of about $25–$55 a pallet applies where the delivery point has no forklift or dock, so it's worth confirming the consignee's equipment upfront to avoid a failed-delivery fee.
Small one-off shipments are the worst value, sometimes $750–$900 a pallet, which is where freight-matching platforms that fill spare space on an existing trip can cut the rate sharply. These are indicative ranges; confirm whether the quote includes fuel and GST, the chargeable weight basis and any tail-lift requirement before booking.
Frequently asked questions
How much does pallet freight cost in Australia?
Roughly $60–$200 per pallet interstate on a consolidated load in 2026, before fuel levy and GST (a Sydney–Melbourne pallet can land near $204 all-in), and $200–$500+ to Perth.
How is freight weight calculated?
On the greater of actual weight or cubic (volumetric) weight. Standard road converts at 333 kg per cubic metre and express at 250 kg, so light bulky pallets are charged on volume, not the scales.
What is a tail-lift fee?
A surcharge of about $25–$55 a pallet when the pickup or delivery point has no forklift or loading dock, so the truck's tail-lift is needed. Confirm it upfront to avoid a failed-delivery charge.
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