Australian Standard Pallet

What is the Australian Standard Pallet?

The Australian standard pallet measures 1165 × 1165 mm with a deck height of approximately 150 mm. It is the dominant pallet format in Australian domestic logistics, designed specifically for local truck dimensions, dock levellers and racking systems.

Unlike the internationally-adopted ISO pallets (1200 × 1000 mm) or Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm), Australia adopted its own square format in the early 20th century. The 1165 mm dimension fits precisely into standard Australian transport containers and matches the width of most local warehouse racking systems.

Why Australia Has Its Own Pallet Size

The Australian standard was formalised under AS 4068 (Timber Pallets — General Requirements). The square format was chosen to allow orientation flexibility — pallets can be loaded and moved from any side, which improves warehouse efficiency.

Two standard pallets placed side-by-side measure 2330 mm — fitting exactly within a standard 2400 mm wide Australian shipping container, with minimal wasted space.

Pros & Cons

Advantages

✓ Most widely used pallet in Australian supply chains
✓ Fits standard Australian trucks, racking and dock equipment
✓ AS 4068 compliant — accepted by all major retailers
✓ Easily sourced new or refurbished nationwide
✓ Compatible with CHEP and pooled pallet systems

Limitations

✗ Not compatible with standard Euro/ISO pallet sizing
✗ Higher weight than plastic alternatives
✗ Timber quality can vary across suppliers
✗ Cannot be used for international export without ISPM 15 HT treatment

Typical Applications

Standard Australian pallets are used extensively in supermarket supply chains (Woolworths, Coles), hardware retail (Bunnings), building materials distribution and general FMCG logistics. CHEP's 80+ million pallet fleet in Australia uses this format.

They are the default choice for any domestic freight that doesn't have specific size or material constraints.