Forklift Hire Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of forklift hire. Use the options below for an indicative 2026 Australian price, then get written quotes to confirm.
Your forklift hire details
Your estimate sits within the typical range.
Your estimate sits within the typical range.
Ask whether delivery, pickup and a damage waiver are included, these can add a few hundred dollars to a short hire and are easy to miss when comparing a headline daily rate.
Ways to save
- Get at least two or three written quotes, prices vary widely between providers.
- Ask exactly what is and is not included so you are comparing like for like.
- Book outside peak periods or bundle related work to share fixed call-out and setup costs.
How we estimate this
Forklift hire in Australia typically costs around $120 to $250 a day in 2026 for a standard 2.5 tonne counterbalance, about $400 to $900 a week, and $1,000 to $2,500 a month, with delivery charged on top.
Pricing reviewed: November 2026.
Pricing reviewed November 2026. Indicative Australian costs, not a quote.
Understanding forklift hire costs in Australia
Forklift hire in Australia typically costs around $120 to $250 a day in 2026 for a standard 2.5 tonne counterbalance, about $400 to $900 a week, and $1,000 to $2,500 a month, with delivery charged on top.
The daily rate drops sharply for weekly and monthly hire. Specialised high-reach and rough-terrain machines cost more, and delivery, pickup and a damage waiver are usually extra.
Frequently asked questions
How much does forklift hire cost in Australia?
Roughly $120 to $250 a day in 2026 for a standard forklift, $400 to $900 a week, and $1,000 to $2,500 a month, plus delivery.
Is delivery included in forklift hire?
Usually not. Delivery and pickup are charged on top, often $80 to $200 each way depending on distance, and a damage waiver may be extra, so ask for the all-in price.
Are you a equipment hire company?
Everyone on this page is working out what forklift hire costs because they are ready to hire. Put your business right beneath the calculator, in your state, so you are who they find. From $1,000/mo.