Farm Shed Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of a farm or machinery shed in Australia by size.
A farm shed over a certain size needs council approval and engineering for wind rating, factor approval and certification into the budget.
💰 Ways to save
- An open-front or three-sided machinery shed costs around $115–$120 per square metre versus $150–$200 enclosed, so leaving a face open can cut 30–50% off the structure.
- On rural-zoned land, a farm building under the exempt-development size limit may need no council approval at all, so an open-front, rural-zoned shed can be both the cheapest to build and the cheapest to approve.
- Kit prices usually exclude the slab, erection and approval; managing the slab and trades yourself can save money, but budget for those extras, which can add 50–80% on top of the kit.
or from $197/week over 5 years , indicative finance
Run a rural / agricultural contractor? Put a calculator like this on your own website, branded as yours.See how →How we estimate this
Farm shed prices are usually quoted as a kit, with the slab, erection and approval excluded. A small shed around 12 by 7 metres runs roughly $14,000–$18,500, a medium 18 by 9 metre shed about $28,000–$45,000, and a large 30 by 12 metre machinery shed $55,000–$95,000. On a per-square-metre basis that's broadly $150–$280 depending on size and configuration.
Pricing reviewed: June 2026.
Pricing reviewed June 2026. Indicative Australian costs, not a quote.
Are you a rural / agricultural contractor?
Put this calculator on your own website, branded to you, visitors get an instant estimate, you get a qualified enquiry with their details.
Understanding farm shed costs in Australia
Farm shed prices are usually quoted as a kit, with the slab, erection and approval excluded. A small shed around 12 by 7 metres runs roughly $14,000–$18,500, a medium 18 by 9 metre shed about $28,000–$45,000, and a large 30 by 12 metre machinery shed $55,000–$95,000. On a per-square-metre basis that's broadly $150–$280 depending on size and configuration.
Configuration drives a big part of the cost. An open-front or three-sided shed is the cheapest at about $115–$120 a square metre, fully enclosing it adds roughly 30–50%, and the slab is often the single biggest extra at $120–$180 a square metre (around $10,000–$15,000 on a small shed, far more on a large one). Power connection adds $1,500–$4,000, and professional erection typically runs 25–45% of the kit value.
Approval and engineering depend on location and zoning. In rural zones, generous exempt-development provisions often let modest farm buildings go up without a development application, while larger or non-rural sheds need a fast-track complying certificate or a full DA, costing roughly $600–$2,000. Wind rating also matters: standard inland sites are usually N2, exposed paddocks or hilltops N3, and cyclonic regions in northern Queensland, the NT and northern WA attract a 10–35% structural premium.
These are indicative ranges; the slab, erection, power and approval can lift the all-in cost well above the kit price, so confirm exactly what a quote includes. Get a site-specific quote that covers the full build, not just the steel.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a farm shed cost in Australia?
As a kit, roughly $14,000–$18,500 for a small shed, $28,000–$45,000 for a medium one and $55,000–$95,000 for a large machinery shed in 2026, before slab, erection and approval.
What adds the most to a shed cost?
The concrete slab (often $120–$180 a square metre), enclosing the structure (adding 30–50%), power connection and professional erection, none of which are usually in the kit price.
Do I need council approval for a farm shed?
It depends on size and zoning. Rural zones often allow modest exempt farm buildings without a DA, but larger or non-rural sheds need a complying certificate or full development application.
Run a rural / agricultural contractor? Add this farm shed cost calculator to your own website →