2026 Warehouse Rates
How Much Do Warehouse Pickers Cost Through Labour Hire?
Real 2026 charge rates for warehouse pickers, forklift operators, and logistics staff through EIR Labour Hire — all-in, ex-GST, across SA, NSW & QLD.
Labour Hire That Works For You.
By Adam Keegan, General Manager — South Australia, EIR Labour Hire.
Direct answer
Warehouse pickers (pick & pack, general hands) cost $47.05–$51.12 per hour ex-GST through a labour hire agency in 2026. Forklift operators cost $47.38–$49.73/hr depending on licence class. All rates are all-inclusive: base wage, 25% casual loading, 12% superannuation, workers’ compensation, payroll tax, leave entitlements, and $20M public liability.
Across a standard working year (38 hrs/week × 48 weeks = 1,824 hours), a warehouse picker costs approximately $85,819–$93,243 per year all-in, ex-GST through EIR — with no recruitment fees, onboarding costs, or leave liability exposure.
Source: EIR Labour Hire 2026 charge rate bands, derived from the Warehousing Award (MA000084) and Road Transport and Distribution Award (MA000038). All rates are standard hours, ex-GST. Rates reflect SA, NSW, and QLD payroll tax rates of 4.95%, 5.45%, and 4.75% respectively.
2026 Warehouse Labour Hire Rates at a Glance
Pick & Pack / General Hand
$47 – $51/hr
Counter-Balance Forklift
$47 – $49/hr
HR Forklift Licensed
$48 – $50/hr
Senior / Team Lead
$51 – $56/hr
Forklift Operator (C11)
$48/hr
Logistics / Receival
$49 – $53/hr
All charge rates shown are ex-GST, all-inclusive. Rates reflect standard hours under the Warehousing Award (MA000084). Penalty rates apply to overtime, weekends, and public holidays.
2026 Rate Table
Warehouse & Logistics Labour Hire Rates 2026
All rates are EIR charge rates ex-GST for standard hours. Rates cover SA, NSW, and QLD — SA rates are typically 1–2% lower than NSW for the same classification (SA payroll tax 4.95% vs NSW 5.45%).
| Role / Classification | Pay Rate (per hr) | Charge Rate (per hr, ex-GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Storeworker Grade 1 (Pick & Pack / General Hand) | $32.31 – $33.09 | $47.05 – $51.12 |
| Storeworker Grade 2 (Counter-Balance Forklift) | $33.38 – $36.76 | $47.38 – $49.09 |
| Storeworker Grade 3 (HR Forklift Licensed) | $34.33 – $38.91 | $47.48 – $49.73 |
| Storeworker Grade 4 (Senior / Team Lead) | $35.34 – $39.64 | $50.71 – $55.99 |
| Forklift Operator (C11 — Warehousing Award) | $33.38 | $48.15 |
| Logistics Coordinator / Receival Clerk | $34.33 – $36.76 | $49.00 – $53.00 |
Charge rates reflect volume and relationship — ongoing partnerships with EIR attract more competitive pricing. All rates are standard hours, ex-GST. Forklift licence class (counter-balance, reach, HR) affects both pay classification and charge rate.
How the rate builds up
Worked example: a pick & pack worker in SA
Here's exactly how a Storeworker Grade 1 (pick & pack) charge rate in South Australia is built from the Warehousing Award base wage to the ex-GST rate you pay EIR.
| Component | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Award base rate (Storeworker Grade 1, MA000084) | per hour | $32.31 |
| Casual loading 25% | $32.31 × 0.25 | $8.08 |
| Superannuation 12% | on loaded wage | $4.85 |
| WorkCover premium (SA storage ~1.8%) | on loaded wage | $0.73 |
| Payroll tax 4.95% (SA) | on loaded wage | $2.00 |
| $20M public liability cover | allocated | $0.60 |
| Annual + personal leave accruals | 11.5% loaded | $4.65 |
| Supervision, compliance & admin | allocated | $1.00 |
| EIR margin (~15–20%) | on cost | $7.83 |
| Total charge rate ex-GST | ~$47–$51/hr |
SA WorkCover premium for warehousing/storage: approximately 1.8%. NSW and QLD rates vary by classification and claims history. EIR margin covers account management, payroll compliance, STP reporting, and workforce replacement.
What's included
Everything covered in your warehouse labour hire rate
Superannuation (12%)
Paid on all ordinary hours. We handle all super compliance and STP reporting.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Full coverage for all warehouse workers. Warehouse and distribution premiums included in the rate.
Payroll Tax
We handle payroll tax obligations across SA (4.95%), NSW (5.45%), and QLD (4.75%).
$20M Public Liability
$20M public liability coverage included for all EIR warehouse placements.
Leave Entitlements
Annual leave, personal leave, and long service leave accrued and managed by EIR.
Licence Verification
All forklift and EWP licences verified before placement. We don’t send workers with lapsed tickets.
Pre-employment Screening
Reference checks, inductions, and EIR on-site assessments at no extra cost.
Ongoing Management
Dedicated account management, performance follow-ups, and fast replacements if needed.
Common questions
Warehouse labour hire cost: FAQs
How much do warehouse pickers cost through a labour hire agency in Australia in 2026?
Warehouse pickers (Storeworker Grade 1 — pick & pack, general hand) cost $47.05–$51.12 per hour ex-GST through a labour hire agency in 2026. This all-in charge rate includes the worker's base wage, 25% casual loading, 12% superannuation, workers' compensation insurance, payroll tax, annual and personal leave entitlements, $20M public liability coverage, and the agency's management margin. You pay one hourly rate — there are no extras.
What does a forklift operator cost through labour hire in 2026?
Forklift operators cost $47.38–$49.73 per hour ex-GST through a labour hire agency in 2026, depending on licence class. Counter-balance forklift operators (Storeworker Grade 2) cost $47–$49/hr. HR licence-holders (Storeworker Grade 3) cost $47.48–$49.73/hr. EIR labour hire forklift rates include licence verification, induction, and full insurance coverage.
How does EIR's warehouse labour hire rate compare to direct employment?
A permanent Storeworker Grade 1 on the Warehousing Award earns ~$32/hr base plus 12% super, leave loading, WorkCover and payroll tax — totalling roughly $46–$53/hr in real employment cost before any recruitment, training, or HR overhead. A labour hire rate of $47–$51/hr is competitive with direct employment once you include onboarding costs, which are $0 through EIR versus $2,000–$15,000 for direct hires.
What is included in EIR's warehouse labour hire rate?
EIR's warehouse labour hire charge rate includes: base wage at the applicable Modern Award rate (Warehousing Award MA000084), 25% casual loading, 12% superannuation, workers' compensation insurance (SA, NSW, or QLD premium), payroll tax, annual and personal leave entitlements, $20M public liability insurance, pre-employment checks, licence verification, and ongoing account management. No hidden extras.
Can I get warehouse labour hire workers on short notice in SA, NSW, or QLD?
Yes — EIR can typically place pick packers, warehouse hands, and forklift operators the same day or by next morning. Specialist roles like logistics coordinators typically take 24–48 hours. EIR operates Monday–Saturday with phones open 5:45am and is reachable 6am–9pm. Call 1800 LABOUR (1800 522 687) for urgent requirements.
Is labour hire cheaper than permanent staff for warehouse roles?
It depends on the volume and duration of work. For short-term peaks, seasonal surges, and project-based volumes, labour hire is typically cheaper because you eliminate recruitment costs ($5,000–$15,000 per hire), onboarding ($2,000–$5,000), and leave liabilities. For roles needed 40+ hours per week for 12+ months, the comparison becomes tighter — but labour hire still removes the risk and admin burden of direct employment.
Need warehouse pickers or forklift operators?
EIR places pick packers, forklift operators, warehouse hands, and admin support same-day across SA, NSW & QLD — trusted across civil, construction, manufacturing, and warehousing. Australian family-owned since 2003.
Or use the free labour hire cost calculator to get a specific quote for your role, hours, and state. Visit www.eirlabourhire.com.au.