Melbourne is a major hub for material handling equipment in Australia, with a mature and competitive market. In 2026, the market is defined by a clear shift toward electric and lithium-ion technology, with electric forklifts now accounting for 65% of sales and representing the fastest-growing segment [0†L23-L26]. A well-maintained electric forklift can save a business approximately $4,500 per year in energy and maintenance costs compared to a diesel equivalent [0†L30-L32].
Major Forklift Dealers in Melbourne
Dealer Location Brands / Specialization Key Services
TMHA Melbourne (Toyota) 253-281 Discovery Road, Dandenong South, VIC 3175 Toyota electric, lithium, LPG, diesel New/used sales, hire, repairs, servicing, genuine parts, factory-trained technicians [8†L2-L12][10†L2-L12]
Adaptalift Group 1574 Centre Rd, Springvale, VIC 3171 Hyster, Yale, Combilift, Clark Largest Australian-owned forklift company; sales, hire, service, parts [1†L47-L50]
Clark Equipment Dandenong South, VIC Clark forklifts, container handlers New/used sales, hire, parts, service; Australian owned, 500+ employees
Fork Force Melbourne Multi-brand used forklifts Diverse range of secondhand forklifts; online inventory available [0†L28-L31]
ISS Equipment Melbourne & Dandenong Nichiyu, Big Joe, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Crown Quality used forklifts, full transparency on condition, demo and delivery available [5†L6-L8]
FERAQuip Near Hallam Station, Melbourne Rough terrain forklifts, excavators, telehandlers Sales and rentals; construction, logistics, warehousing specialists [9†L28-L33]
MLA Complete Forklift Solutions Melbourne branch Gas, diesel, petrol, battery electric forklifts Nationwide sales, rental, service; 8 branches across Australia [1†L20-L24]
EPower Forklift Melbourne Electric and lithium forklifts Hire from $129/week; short-term, long-term, rent-to-own options [4†L36-L42]
Heavy Lift Forklifts Bayswater, Melbourne Aisle Master articulated forklifts Sales, hire, parts, repairs [1†L42-L45]
OZFORKS Melbourne 15 Barrie Road, VIC Forklift dealer Sales and services [1†L36-L40]
United Equipment Melbourne CAT diesel and LPG forklifts Used Cat 2.5T diesel ($12,000) and LPG ($12,000) models [13†L8-L9]
Buy-A-Fork Melbourne Pre-owned Toyota, Linde, Crown Used forklifts with warranty and service [12†L2-L5]
2026 Price Guide
New diesel and petrol forklifts range from $20,000 to $80,000, averaging $50,000** [0†L13-L14][6†L45-L46]. The average electric forklift price in Australia ranges from **$15,000 to $120,000** [4†L23-L24]. Most Melbourne warehouses budget around **$55,000 for a reliable mid-range electric model [4†L25-L27].
New Forklifts
Category Price Range (AUD) Examples
Diesel / Petrol $20,000 – $80,000 Adaptalift Group, Hyster [6†L45-L46]
Electric (mid-range) ~$55,000 3-tonne electric lithium models [4†L25-L27]
Heavy-Duty Electric Price on request Hyster J7.0-9.0XNL (7–9T, zero-emission) [11†L10-L12]
Used Forklifts
Model Specs Price (AUD) Source
Used Cat 2.5T Diesel (DP25N) 2.5T diesel $12,000 United Equipment [13†L8-L9]
Used Cat 2.5T LPG (GP25N) 2.5T LPG $12,000 United Equipment [13†L8-L9]
Used Crown Walkie Reach Stacker 2.5T electric $3,500 United Equipment [13†L3-L4]
Toyota 8FG30 (2021) 3T LPG Contact dealer Buy-A-Fork [12†L50-L54]
Linde 2.5T Gas (2014) 2.5T LPG Contact dealer Buy-A-Fork [12†L54-L55]
Crown CG18S-5-NK (2008) – Contact dealer Buy-A-Fork [12†L12]
Forklift Hire Rates (2026)
Machine Type Capacity Daily Weekly Monthly
Electric 2.5–3 tonnes $145 – $205 $480 – $680 $1,350 – $1,850 [4†L12]
Electric (Lithium) – From $129/week – Long-term options available [4†L36-L42]
Rough Terrain – $150 – $400 – –
Electric vs. Diesel Operating Costs (3-Tonne, 2026)
Cost Item Diesel Electric (Lithium)
Purchase Price (approx.) $38,000 – $55,000 $55,000 – $70,000
Fuel/Energy (5 years) $18,000 – $22,000 $3,000 – $5,000
Annual Energy Cost (250 days, 8hr shift) $3,600 – $4,400 $600 – $1,000
Source: EPower Forklift data [4†L14-L16][4†L18-L20]
Electric vs. Diesel – Which is Right for You?
Factor Electric / Lithium Diesel / LPG
Best For Indoor warehouses, cold storage, food logistics Outdoor yards, construction sites, heavy-duty continuous use
Emissions Zero Requires ventilation
Noise Low Higher
Fuel/Energy Cost $600–$1,000/year $3,600–$4,400/year
Maintenance Lower (fewer moving parts) Higher (engine oil, filters)
Battery Life Lithium: 5–7+ years N/A
Upcoming Auctions in Melbourne (2026)
Event Date Location Items
Manheim National Civil Auction Ongoing Altona North, Melbourne 2020 Combilift C8000 Rough Terrain (667 hrs, LPG, starting bid from $12,000) [0†L40-L43]
Note: All auction items are sold “as-is, where-is” with no warranty. Buyer‘s premiums and admin fees apply.
Buying Considerations
1. New vs. Used
New forklifts offer the latest technology (lithium-ion, telematics), full warranty, and compliance with Australian standards. TMHA Melbourne provides new Toyota forklifts with genuine parts and factory-trained technicians [8†L30-L31].
Used forklifts offer savings of up to 50% compared to new [7†L8-L10]. Dealers like ISS Equipment provide full transparency on condition and offer demo and delivery [5†L14-L15].
2. Dealer Support
TMHA Melbourne offers factory-trained technicians using genuine Toyota parts, planned servicing programs, and breakdown support [8†L30-L34].
ISS Equipment records the history of used equipment and provides ongoing service support [5†L16-L18].
Adaptalift Group is the largest Australian-owned forklift company with 14 branches and 32 service centres.
3. Used Equipment Inspection Checklist
Before purchasing a used forklift, verify:
Service and maintenance history – Complete records of hydraulic systems, mast components, brakes, batteries/engines, and tyres [7†L19-L26]
Visible wear and damage – Inspect mast, forks, tyres, hydraulic hoses for rust, cracks, or leaks [7†L27-L31]
Operational needs – Confirm load capacity, lift height, indoor/outdoor use, fuel type, and aisle space [7†L33-L36]
Professional inspection – Consider independent inspection for hidden mechanical concerns [7†L38-L42]
4. Licensing Requirements
Forklift operators in Victoria require a High Risk Work Licence (LF) .
5. Financing and Leasing
Most dealers offer flexible financing and leasing options.
TMHA Melbourne provides flexible hire options for short-term projects, seasonal peaks, or longer-term needs [8†L25-L27].
EPower Forklift offers electric forklift hire from $129/week with long-term rental discounts [4†L36-L42].
Summary
Melbourne‘s forklift market in 2026 is served by a comprehensive network of authorised dealers including TMHA Melbourne (Toyota, Dandenong South), Adaptalift Group (Hyster/Yale/Combilift/Clark, Springvale), Clark Equipment (Dandenong South), ISS Equipment (quality used forklifts, full transparency), Fork Force (diverse secondhand forklifts), FERAQuip (rough terrain specialists, Hallam), and MLA Complete Forklift Solutions. New diesel and petrol forklifts range from $20,000 to $80,000, electric forklifts average $55,000**, and used Cat 2.5T models are available from **$12,000. Electric forklifts save approximately $3,000–$4,000 per year in running costs compared to diesel. Hire rates start from $129/week for electric models. When buying, consider new vs. used, power source requirements, dealer service proximity, and total cost of ownership – not just the purchase price.