Forklift HirePerth
Real costs, licence rules, forklift types and hire vs buy — everything a WA business needs before picking up the phone. Written by our hire team with 30 years on Perth sites.
If you're looking into forklift hire in Perth, you've probably got a few things on your mind already. How much does it cost? Do your operators need a licence? Is it smarter to hire or buy outright?
These are questions we answer every week for businesses across warehousing, construction, logistics and manufacturing. We've been doing this from Malaga since 1996 — which means we've seen almost every hiring situation Perth can throw at a business. This guide gives you straight answers.
How Much Does Forklift Hire Cost in Perth?
There is no single flat rate, and any company quoting you one without knowing your job is guessing. What you pay depends on:
Do You Need a Forklift Licence to Hire in WA?
This distinction catches businesses out more often than you would expect. Whether your operators are employees, contractors or labour-hire staff, your business is responsible for verifying their licences before they step on a machine.
One important exception: certain warehouse material handling equipment — such as walkie reach stackers — does not require an LF licence to operate in Western Australia. Ask our hire team if a walkie stacker suits your site.
What Types of Forklifts Can You Hire in Perth?
Choosing the right machine is the most important decision in the hire process. The wrong forklift costs you time, creates safety risks and can damage product or site. Our hire fleet runs from 800kg to 45 tonnes:
Not sure which type suits your site? Call Katie on 0449 575 806. With 30 years of Perth fleet experience she will have a recommendation for you in minutes — not days.
We own our tilt tray — no third-party contractors, no delays. We load and go on our schedule.
Short-Term vs Long-Term Forklift Hire
| Your situation | Short-Term Hire | Long-Term Hire |
|---|---|---|
| Project or shutdown work | Ideal | Overkill |
| Covering a breakdown | Perfect fit | Not suitable |
| Forklift needed every day | Higher daily cost | Best value |
| Predictable monthly budget | Variable | Fixed rate, no CPI |
| Maintenance included | Yes | Yes — fully included |
| Lock-in contract | None | Set agreement term |
| Hire terms at Allied | 1 day to under 6 months | 6 months to 5-year contracts |
For many Perth businesses, the switch from short-term to long-term hire comes when they realise the forklift has been on site for three months and shows no sign of leaving. At that point, locking in a long-term rate almost always works out better value.
Forklift Hire vs Buying — What Makes Sense?
Buying a forklift involves a large upfront capital outlay, ongoing servicing costs, compliance obligations, insurance and eventual depreciation. For some businesses ownership stacks up. For many others, it doesn't.
| Factor | Buying | Hiring from Allied |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | High capital outlay | No capital tied up |
| Maintenance & servicing | Your cost and your problem | Included — in-house techs |
| Breakdown response | Book a service call | Tech dispatched, replacement if needed |
| Compliance & certification | Your responsibility | Pre-certified before delivery |
| Equipment flexibility | Locked to one machine | Change machine type as needs shift |
| Resale & depreciation risk | You carry it | Zero |
| Effect on lending capacity | May affect borrowing | Non-bank funding — no impact |
For Perth businesses with changing workloads, seasonal demand, or sites that vary year to year, hiring removes the single biggest risk of ownership: being stuck with the wrong machine or an unexpected repair bill at the worst possible time.
What's Included When You Hire from Allied Forklifts?
This is the question that matters most but gets asked least. Here is exactly what every Allied Forklifts hire agreement includes — no hidden costs, no surprises:
- ✓Pre-hire inspection & full certificationEvery machine is serviced, inspected and certified work-ready by our Malaga workshop before delivery.
- ✓Scheduled maintenance — includedRoutine servicing throughout your hire period is covered. No additional charges for standard maintenance intervals.
- ✓In-house technician supportOur mechanics are employed directly — not subcontracted. Faster response times when something needs attention.
- ✓Breakdown response & replacementIf a machine can't be repaired on-site promptly, we'll arrange a replacement. Your operation keeps moving.
- ✓24-hour Perth metro deliveryWe own our own tilt tray. We're not waiting on a third-party contractor — we go when you need us.
- ✓Flexible hire termsNeed to extend? Call Katie. Need to return early? Our agreements are built around your business, not against it.
Why Perth Businesses Hire from Allied Forklifts
We are not the largest forklift company in Australia — and we are not trying to be. We are one of the largest locally owned forklift companies in Western Australia, and there is a meaningful difference between those two things.
Common Forklift Hire Mistakes Perth Businesses Make
In 30 years of Perth hire, we have seen the same mistakes repeat. Knowing them costs you nothing. Making them often costs a lot.
- 01Hiring the wrong machine for the site
A counterbalance forklift in a narrow-aisle warehouse is a liability. A standard electric machine on a rough, unsealed yard will break down. Tell us exactly what the site looks like before we quote.
- 02Underestimating how long the hire will run
"It's just a two-week job" is the phrase that has launched a thousand rolling short-term hire bills. If there is any chance the machine stays more than six weeks, talk to us about a long-term rate up front.
- 03Not verifying operator licences before the machine arrives
You cannot operate a standard forklift in WA without an LF High Risk Work Licence. Your hire company will not check this on your behalf — that responsibility sits with your business.
- 04Choosing on price alone without checking service response times
A cheaper hire rate means nothing if the machine is down for three days. Ask: are your mechanics in-house or subcontracted? What is your typical breakdown response time in Perth metro?
- 05Buying a forklift when hire would have been smarter
The total cost of ownership — including finance, insurance, servicing, parts and depreciation — surprises most businesses when they actually work it out. Run the numbers before you buy.
Questions We Hear Every Week
Straight answers from our hire team. Still have one? Call Katie on 0449 575 806.
What types of forklifts can I hire from Allied Forklifts?
Our hire fleet covers the full range — LPG, diesel, and battery electric forklifts from 800kg to 45 tonnes, plus pallet jacks, walkie stackers, reach trucks, telehandlers, 4x4 rough terrain forklifts, and container handlers.
Call Katie on 0449 575 806 and she'll match you to the right equipment in minutes.
Do you need a forklift licence to hire a forklift in WA?
You do not need a licence to hire a forklift, but anyone operating one in Western Australia must hold a valid LF High Risk Work Licence. The responsibility for ensuring operators are licenced sits with the business, not the hire company.
How much does forklift hire cost in Perth?
Forklift hire costs vary based on machine type, capacity, and hire duration. Short-term daily and weekly rates suit project-based or breakdown cover needs. Long-term hire of 6 months or more comes with a fixed monthly rate, no CPI increases, and full maintenance included. Contact Allied Forklifts for a tailored quote within 15 minutes during business hours.
How quickly can Allied Forklifts deliver a forklift in Perth?
Allied Forklifts can deliver anywhere in the Perth metro area within 24 hours. We own our own tilt tray — we load and go on our schedule. For urgent requirements call (08) 9248 8660.
What is included in a forklift hire agreement?
Every Allied Forklifts hire agreement includes a pre-hire inspection and full service certification, scheduled maintenance, in-house technician support, and a replacement machine if repairs cannot be completed on-site promptly. No surprise repair bills.
Can I extend or shorten my forklift hire period?
Yes. Contact Katie directly on 0449 575 806 to extend or return a machine early — we will work something out that suits your timeline.
What should I do if my hired forklift breaks down?
Call Allied Forklifts immediately on (08) 9248 8660. Our in-house technicians will dispatch to your site as quickly as possible. If the machine cannot be repaired on-site promptly, we will arrange a replacement so your operations are not left standing still.
Does forklift hire affect my business lending capacity?
No. Forklift hire is classified as non-bank funding and does not impact your borrowing limits with financial institutions. Your working capital and lending headroom remain available for other priorities.
How can I contact Allied Forklifts for hire enquiries?
Call Katie directly on 0449 575 806 — she will have a quote back to you within 15 minutes during business hours. You can also call (08) 9248 8660 or complete the enquiry form on our hire page.
Ready to Get a Forklift on Site?
Tell us your load, your site, and your timeline. We'll match you to the right machine and have a quote back to you in 15 minutes. Perth metro delivery within 24 hours — on our tilt tray, on our schedule.
Allied Forklifts Pty Ltd · ABN 66 060 256 377 · Malaga & Henderson, Western Australia