If you're researching forklift hire in Perth, the first question is usually price. But price alone won't tell you whether you're getting the right forklift, the right hire term or the right support behind it.
This guide explains what affects forklift hire costs in Perth, the information a hire company needs before recommending a machine, WA forklift licence requirements, short-term versus long-term hire and the questions worth asking before you sign a hire agreement.
From the Allied hire team: We deal with forklift hire requirements across Perth every week. The fastest way to select the correct machine is to tell us your load weight, load dimensions, required lift height, working environment and how long you expect to need the forklift.
In This Guide
Forklift Hire Costs in Perth
Direct answer: Forklift hire costs in Perth depend on the type and capacity of forklift, hire duration, lift requirements, attachments, site conditions and transport. Short-term hire is normally charged daily or weekly, while longer hire arrangements are generally structured around a monthly rate.
There is no meaningful single rate for "a forklift". A small electric warehouse forklift and a heavy-duty diesel forklift working outside are completely different machines with different operating and hire costs.
A useful quote starts with understanding the job first.
What Affects the Cost of Forklift Hire?
The main factors that influence forklift hire pricing are:
Budgeting tip: If you think a short project could run much longer, mention that when requesting the quote. Comparing both short-term and longer-term pricing upfront can avoid paying a higher rolling short-term rate for months.
What Forklift Do I Actually Need?
This is one of the most important questions in forklift hire. Choosing a forklift by rated capacity alone can result in the wrong machine being sent to site.
Before recommending a forklift, there are several things we want to know.
1. What is the heaviest load?
Start with the maximum load weight, not the average load. The forklift needs to safely handle the heaviest normal lift expected on site.
2. What size is the load?
Load dimensions matter because forklift capacity is affected by the load centre. A long or unusually shaped load can move the centre of gravity forward and reduce the forklift's usable capacity.
3. How high does it need to lift?
Tell the hire company the maximum height the load needs to reach. Forklift capacity can change at increased lift heights and with different mast configurations, so the manufacturer's capacity information needs to be checked.
4. What are the ground conditions?
Smooth warehouse concrete, bitumen, gravel, compacted dirt, sand and construction sites can all require different tyres and different types of forklift.
5. How much room does the forklift have?
Door height, aisle width, turning space, container access and overhead clearance can be just as important as lifting capacity.
6. Do you need an attachment?
Side shifts, fork positioners, clamps and other attachments can change how the forklift performs and may reduce available capacity. The complete configuration should be considered when selecting the machine.
Tell us four things:
Load weight + load dimensions + required lift height + ground conditions.
From there, our hire team can narrow down the correct machine and check the relevant forklift specifications before recommending it.
Example: "I Need a 2.5 Tonne Forklift"
A customer tells us they need a 2.5 tonne forklift.
That still isn't enough information to confidently select the machine.
If the load weighs 2,400kg but is unusually long, needs to be lifted several metres and the forklift will operate on an uneven outdoor yard, a standard 2.5 tonne warehouse forklift may not be the right choice.
Load weight + load centre + lift height + attachment + operating environment = the machine you actually need.
Do You Need a Forklift Licence to Hire a Forklift in WA?
Direct answer: A high risk work licence relates to operating the forklift rather than simply arranging the hire. In Western Australia, operators performing licensed forklift work must hold the appropriate high risk work licence for the equipment being operated.
WorkSafe WA identifies two forklift licence classes:
- LF: Forklift truck.
- LO: Order-picking forklift truck, where the operator's controls elevate with the load carriage.
Businesses should confirm that operators hold the appropriate licence for the particular equipment and work being performed.
Official information: WorkSafe WA High Risk Work Licence Classes
What Type of Forklift Should You Hire?
Different forklift types solve different problems. These are some of the most common categories used across Perth workplaces.
| Forklift Type | Typical Use | Best Suited To |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Electric | Quiet, low-emission materials handling | Warehouses and indoor operations |
| LPG | Flexible general materials handling | Mixed indoor and outdoor work |
| Diesel | Heavy outdoor materials handling | Yards, construction and industrial sites |
| Reach Truck | High-bay pallet handling | Narrow-aisle warehouses |
| Rough Terrain | Materials handling on uneven surfaces | Construction and unsealed sites |
| Telehandler | Height and forward reach | Construction and agriculture |
Allied also hires larger and specialised materials handling equipment. If you're ready to see available equipment rather than continue researching, visit our forklift hire page.
Short-Term vs Long-Term Forklift Hire
The right hire term depends mainly on how predictable your requirement is.
| Situation | Short-Term Hire | Long-Term Hire |
|---|---|---|
| Shutdown or project work | Usually ideal | Usually unnecessary |
| Breakdown cover | Good fit | Usually unnecessary |
| Daily ongoing requirement | Can become expensive over time | Usually better value |
| Predictable budget | Depends on duration | Fixed monthly structure |
One Allied difference worth checking: ask whether a long-term hire rate is fixed for the full agreement or whether the contract allows annual CPI increases. Allied's long-term hire agreements can be structured with a fixed hire rate for the agreed term.
Forklift Hire vs Buying: Which Makes More Sense?
Neither option is automatically better. The right decision depends on utilisation, cash flow, how long the forklift will be required and whether your equipment requirements are likely to change.
| Factor | Buying | Hiring |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Capital purchase or finance required | No forklift purchase required |
| Maintenance | Owner responsibility | Can be included in the hire arrangement |
| Flexibility | You own the selected machine | Greater ability to change equipment as needs change |
| Depreciation | Owner carries resale risk | Hire customer does not own the asset |
| Best suited to | Long-term predictable requirements | Changing or flexible equipment requirements |
Tax, accounting and finance treatment varies between businesses and agreements. Speak with your accountant or financial adviser about your specific circumstances.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Forklift
Don't compare forklift hire quotes on the weekly or monthly rate alone. What happens after the forklift arrives can matter just as much as the price.
Before accepting a quote, ask:
- Is scheduled servicing included in the hire rate?
- Who pays for breakdown repairs?
- What happens if the forklift cannot be repaired quickly?
- Can a replacement machine be supplied?
- Is delivery included or charged separately?
- Are tyres and normal wear included?
- Are there operating-hour limits?
- Are there excess-hour charges?
- Can the hire rate increase with CPI?
- Are servicing technicians employed directly or subcontracted?
- What is the typical breakdown response time?
- Can I change forklift type if my requirements change?
- Is the attachment I require included?
- Has the forklift's capacity been checked for my load, lift height and attachment?
- What high risk work licence class does the operator require?
A cheap hire rate stops looking cheap very quickly if the forklift is wrong for the job or sits broken down waiting for support.
Common Forklift Hire Mistakes
Choosing capacity without considering the load
A forklift's rated capacity does not mean it can safely lift every load of that weight in every configuration. Load centre, height and attachments matter.
Ignoring site conditions
A machine designed for smooth warehouse floors may be completely unsuitable for an uneven outdoor yard.
Underestimating the hire period
Short-term hire is useful because it is flexible, but repeatedly extending it can cost more than arranging the appropriate longer-term rate from the beginning.
Comparing price without comparing support
Ask who services the forklift, what happens during a breakdown and whether replacement equipment is available.
Not checking operator licensing
Make sure the operator holds the appropriate licence for the class of forklift and work being performed before the machine is put into operation.
Forklift Hire Perth FAQs
How much does forklift hire cost in Perth?
Forklift hire costs depend on capacity, forklift type, hire duration, lift requirements, attachments, transport and the working environment. Short-term hire is generally structured around daily or weekly rates, while longer agreements are commonly quoted monthly.
Do I need a forklift licence to hire a forklift?
The high risk work licence requirement applies to operating certain forklifts rather than simply arranging the hire. In WA, operators performing licensed forklift work must hold the appropriate licence. Standard forklift trucks are covered by LF and order-picking forklift trucks by LO.
What information do I need to get a forklift hire quote?
Ideally provide the maximum load weight, load dimensions, maximum lift height, operating environment, site surface, required attachment, delivery location and expected hire period.
Is long-term forklift hire cheaper than short-term hire?
For an ongoing requirement, long-term hire will generally have a lower effective weekly cost than continuing to extend short-term hire. The best option depends on how certain you are about the hire duration.
What happens if a hired forklift breaks down?
This depends on the hire agreement. Ask before hiring who provides breakdown support, whether technicians are available locally and what happens if the machine cannot be repaired quickly.
Can Allied help me choose the correct forklift?
Yes. Tell us your maximum load weight, load dimensions, lift height, attachment requirements and site conditions. Our hire team can match those requirements against available equipment and relevant machine specifications.
Ready to Hire?
Tell Us What You Need to Lift
Give us the load weight, required lift height, site conditions and expected hire period. We'll help match you with a fit-for-purpose forklift.
View Forklift Hire OptionsOr call Katie directly on 0449 575 806