A 2.5 t LPG counterbalance forklift suits most warehouse and yard work and typically hires for $400–$700 per week. Choose electric for indoor and food-grade areas, diesel or rough-terrain models for outdoor sites, and a container-rated mast to unload shipping containers. Operators need an LF High Risk Work Licence.
Capacity and load centre
Forklift capacity is rated at a load centre, usually 500 mm from the fork face. Long, bulky or offset loads push the centre of gravity out and reduce what the machine can safely lift, as does lifting to full mast height or fitting an attachment.
Tell the supplier the heaviest load, its dimensions and the highest rack or truck deck it goes to. They will check it against the machine's load chart rather than the headline capacity.
LPG, electric or diesel?
LPG forklifts are the all-rounders: quick to refuel, usable indoors in well-ventilated areas and outdoors. Electric forklifts are quiet and emission-free, so they suit enclosed warehouses, cold stores and food handling, but need charging time and access to power. Diesel forklifts are the choice for heavy outdoor work and larger capacities.
Mast and attachments
Container-rated ("container mast") forklifts have a low closed height so they can drive into a shipping container. Triplex masts with full free lift are common for racking. Side-shift is standard on most hire units and makes positioning loads much easier.
- Fork extensions for long loads
- Jib attachments for lifting suspended loads (check crane-licence implications with your regulator)
- Rotators, clamps and drum handlers for specialised freight
- Work platforms—only purpose-designed, manufacturer-approved cages may lift people
Forklift, rough-terrain forklift or telehandler?
Standard counterbalance forklifts need hard, level surfaces. On building sites, farms and gravel yards, a rough-terrain forklift with larger tyres and higher clearance is safer. If you need to place loads high or forward—bricks onto a scaffold, trusses onto a wall—a telehandler's telescopic boom gives reach a forklift cannot.
Licensing and safety
Operating a forklift requires an LF High Risk Work Licence (LO for order pickers), recognised in every state. Walk the route for ramps, slopes, overhead obstructions and pedestrian zones. Forklift incidents most often involve pedestrians, so separate people and machines with barriers and exclusion zones.
| Type | Typical capacity | Best for | Indicative hire |
|---|---|---|---|
| LPG counterbalance | 1.8 – 3.5 t | Warehouses, yards, container unloading | $400 – $700 / week |
| Electric counterbalance | 1.5 – 3 t | Indoor, food, cold stores | $450 – $800 / week |
| Diesel counterbalance | 3 – 7 t+ | Heavy outdoor work, steel, timber | $550 – $1,000 / week |
| Rough-terrain forklift | 2.5 – 5 t | Building sites, farms, gravel yards | $250 – $450 / day |
| Reach truck / order picker | 1.4 – 2.5 t | High racking, narrow aisles | Quote on request |
Indicative 2026 metro ranges ex GST, excluding delivery, gas, damage waiver and attachments. Long-term and monthly hire is usually cheaper per week.
Find forklift & telehandler hire suppliers
Compare listed suppliers, machine classes and local conditions in the forklift & telehandler hire guide, or go straight to your state:
Common questions
How much does it cost to hire a forklift?
A 2.5 t LPG forklift typically hires for about $400–$700 per week in metropolitan areas, excluding GST, delivery and gas. Short-term daily hire and specialist models cost more per day.
Do I need a licence to drive a forklift in Australia?
Yes. You need an LF High Risk Work Licence for a forklift truck, or an LO licence for an order picker. Licences issued in one state are recognised nationally.
What size forklift do I need to unload a container?
Most loaded pallets from a shipping container suit a 2.5–3 t forklift with a container-rated mast, which has a low enough closed height to drive inside. Check the heaviest pallet and its dimensions against the load chart.
Can a forklift be used on grass or gravel?
Standard warehouse forklifts are designed for hard, level floors. For grass, gravel or building sites hire a rough-terrain forklift or telehandler.