2026 shipping container hire pricing in Australia

Hiring a shipping container from Container Traders starts from $2.96 a day*. Costs vary based on container type, hire term, delivery distance/local transporter rates so this guide breaks down what to expect, with no surprises.

Whether you need temporary storage for a renovation, extra space for business overflow, or a self-pack removals solution, here’s what shipping container hire pricing looks like in 2026

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Container Traders 
February 3, 2026 · 4 min read
A white flatbed lorry carrying a large 40ft shipping container for sale is parked outdoors under a clear blue sky. A yellow sign on the image reads, Hire from £90 p/mth*.

Shipping container hire price list

Longer terms mean lower monthly rates. Standard containers have a minimum 3-month hire, while specialised shipping containers require 9 months hire.

Standard shipping container rental rates

Standard Shipping Containers 3 month hire 6 month hire 12 month hire
10ft Shipping Container From $160*/mth From $140*/mth From $120*/mth
20ft Shipping Container From $120*/mth From $100*/mth From $90*/mth
20ft High Cube Shipping Container From $140*/mth From $120*/mth From $110*/mth
40ft High Cube Shipping Container From $190*/mth From $170*/mth From $150*/mth

*Prices exclude GST and delivery. Last updated: 16 June 2026

Specialised shipping container rental rates

Specialised Shipping Containers 9 month hire 18 month hire
20ft Refrigerated Shipping Container From $750*/mth From $700*/mth
40ft Refrigerated Shipping Container From $980*/mth From $930*/mth
20ft Side Opening Shipping Container From $270*/mth From $250*/mth
40ft Side Opening Shipping Container From $580*/mth From $560*/mth
20ft Double Door Shipping Container From $160*/mth From $140*/mth
40ft Double Door Shipping Container From $230*/mth From $210*/mth
20ft Open Top Shipping Container From $280*/mth From $260*/mth
40ft Open Top Shipping Container From $380*/mth From $360*/mth
20ft Flat Rack Shipping Container From $280*/mth From $260*/mth
40ft Flat Rack Shipping Container From $380*/mth From $360*/mth

*Prices exclude GST and delivery. Last updated: 16 June 2026

What payments are required to hire?

Upfront costs typically include:

  • 1
    Delivery freight to your site
  • 2
    Collection freight when you’re done
  • 3

    The first month’s hire payment

Ongoing billing: Monthly hire is charged to the credit card on file. There are no hidden extras. You’ll know the full cost of your shipping container before anything gets delivered.

Delivery and collection costs

Delivery is usually the biggest variable in your total hire cost. The price depends on how far you are from the nearest depot and which truck type your site needs (tilt tray, side loader, HIAB, or semi).

Delivery estimates for a 20ft container:

  • Inner metro (within 30 km of a capital city): from $410 + GST via tilt tray
  • Regional deliveries: from $4.50/km + GST via tilt tray

We hire containers from depot cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Newcastle. The closer you are to a depot, the lower your delivery cost.

These are guide estimates, not fixed quotes. Get in touch for an accurate delivery price to your site.

20ft Tri Door Shipping Container
20ft Tri-Door Shipping Container available for Australia-wide delivery

Container interstate removals pricing

Container hire is also one of the most affordable ways to move interstate. With our self-pack removals service, you load and unload at your own pace and we handle the transport. For longer routes, rail transport can reduce costs significantly.

Your removals quote covers three freight movements:

  • 1

    Delivery of the empty container to your current address

  • 2

    Transport and delivery to your new address

  • 3

    Collection of the empty container once you’ve unpacked

Monthly hire applies while the container is on-site at either end. In many cases, self-pack container removals can save up to 50% compared to traditional removalists.

Interstate removals price list

Get a price estimate to your postcode

The cost to hire a shipping container depends on your delivery area and available local transporters. Enter your postcode below to get our best tailored 2026 quote.

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