How Much Does a 3PL Cost in Australia? (2026 3PL Pricing Guide)
If you’re searching for 3PL pricing in Australia, there are some common questions that you’ll be asking. Here is an easy-to-read summary:
What does a 3PL cost in Australia?
Most third-party logistics (3PL) providers in Australia charge:
- $2–$10+ per order pick and pack
- $50–$1,000+/month storage fees
- $6–$15 per shipment shipping costs
Generally the total monthly 3PL cost typically ranges from $1,500 to $15,000+, depending on order volume and product type.
This guide will break down exact 3PL costs, pricing models, and how to optimise your fulfilment spend.
What Is 3PL Pricing?
3PL pricing makes up the overall cost of outsourcing your warehousing, order fulfilment, and shipping to a logistics provider.
3PL pricing is usually broken down into key deliverables, including:
- Pick and pack fees
- Warehouse storage costs
- Inbound receiving fees for new stock
- Shipping charges
- Monthly account fees to cover software, admin and customer service
At Plan A Logistics, our pricing is simple, pay only for what you use. No fixed retainers. No hidden fees.
You can learn more about our ecommerce fulfilment services
1. Pick and Pack Fees (Core Fulfilment Cost)
Pick and pack fees make up the main cost per order. This is also often referred to as fulfilment cost per order.
A typical 3PL pick and pack pricing model looks like this:
- $2–$4 for the first item in an order
- $0.30–$1 per additional item in an order
Example:
- 1 item in one order → ~$3
- 3 items in one order → ~$4–$5
The following can impact the pick and pack cost per order:
- Number of items per order
- Special packaging requirements
- Kitting, gift cards or inserts
2. Storage Costs AKA Warehousing Fees
Storage fees are based on how much space your inventory takes up inside the warehouse. As we tell our clients, faster stock turnover = lower storage costs.
Common 3PL storage pricing models:
- Per pallet → $15–$40/month
- Per cubic metre (most common for ecommerce)
- Per bin or shelf
Average storage costs:
- Small brands → $50-$300/month
- Scaling brands → $500–$1,000+/month
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3. Receiving Fees for Inbound Stock HandlingText Here
Receiving covers costs associated with processing incoming inventory into the warehouse and ready for picking and packing. It is also sometimes referred to as 3PL Inbound Fees. For clients who have their stock clearly labelled and barcoded, this is a quick and simple process. It can become costly if your factory does not label your items or labels them incorrectly.
Typical receiving costs:
- $25–$60/hour
- $5–$15 per pallet
- $0.20–$1 per unit
What increases receiving costs:
- Unlabelled cartons
- Incorrect quantities
- Mixed SKUs
4. Shipping Costs (Largest Variable Cost)
Shipping is usually the biggest expense in 3PL pricing.
Typical shipping rates in Australia:
- Metro areas across Australia → $6–$12
- Interstate areas → $8–$15
- Express depending on Metro / Rural → $10–$20+
The following factors can effect your shipping costs:
- Parcel size and weight (dimensions)
- Delivery zones (is it Metro or Rural, how far does it need to travel)
- Carrier rates (these rates are determined by shipping providers such as AusPost)
- Order volume
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Real Life Example: Monthly 3PL Cost
To give you a clear understanding of what this could look like for you, here is an example of a brand shipping 500 orders/month:
- Pick & pack costs approx. $1,500
- Warehouse storage costs approx. $200
- Inbound receiving costs $100
- Carrier shipping costs $4,000
Total will be approx. $5,800/month
There are other factors to take into consideration, such as units per order, inbound receivals volumes and frequency, and stock held in the warehouse that could influence this cost.
3PL vs In-House Fulfilment Costs
Many businesses compare 3PL costs vs managing fulfilment in-house.
Cost Type | In-House | 3PL |
Labour | High | Included |
Warehouse Rent | High | Included |
Software | Expensive | Included |
Scalability | Limited | High |
3PL becomes cost-effective at 30-50 orders per day.
3PL Pricing Models Explained
Pay-As-You-Go 3PL
- No fixed monthly fees
- Scales with your business
- Most cost-effective for growing brands
Fixed Monthly Pricing
- Flat fee regardless of usage
- Can lead to overpaying
Hybrid 3PL Pricing
- Base fee + variable costs
Enterprise 3PL Pricing
- Custom pricing for high-volume brands
Total 3PL Cost Per Month
Cost Type | Monthly Range |
Pick & Pack | $500 – $3,000+ |
Storage | $100 – $1,000+ |
Receiving | $50 – $500 |
Shipping | $1,000 – $10,000+ |
Total 3PL cost: $1,500 – $15,000+ per month
How to Reduce Your 3PL Costs
If you want to lower fulfilment costs:
- Increase inventory turnover
- Optimise packaging dimensions
- Bundle products
- Improve demand forecasting
These directly impact your total 3PL pricing structure.
Why Transparent 3PL Pricing Matters
- Account management fees
- Software or integration fees
- Minimum monthly charges
- Handling surcharges
Get a Custom 3PL Pricing Quote
Every ecommerce business has different fulfilment needs. At Plan A Logistics, pricing is:
- Transparent
- Scalable
- Usage-based
- No lock-in contracts. No hidden costs.
Request a custom 3PL quote from Plan A Logistics. Get a clear, upfront cost breakdown, no surprises.
FAQs
Typical monthly costs range from $1,500 to $15,000+ depending on volume.
Because of differences in:
- Pricing models
- Shipping rates
- Warehouse locations
- Technology and automation
Yes. Most 3PL providers offer bulk-discounted carrier rates.