We see it every week at our Craigieburn depot: someone arrives having driven 40 minutes from the city, frustrated that the major truck hire companies near the airport either had nothing available or quoted rates that doubled once insurance and kilometre charges were added. Melbourne’s northern suburbs have a genuine vehicle hire gap — and for truck rental specifically, it’s a problem we’ve been solving for local residents, tradies, and small businesses across Broadmeadows, Epping, Sunbury, and the Hume Corridor.
This guide covers everything you need to know about hiring a truck in Melbourne: vehicle sizes, what licences you need, how much to budget, and how to avoid the hidden fees that catch most people off guard.
What Trucks Can You Hire in Melbourne?
Not all truck rentals are equal, and picking the wrong size is one of the most common and expensive mistakes. At Turbofleet, we carry a range of trucks designed for Melbourne’s most common hire scenarios — from a small business moving a single piece of equipment to a full household relocation.
Light Trucks (Up to 3.5 Tonnes GVM)
Light trucks are the most popular hire choice in Melbourne because they are driveable on a standard Australian car licence. They are ideal for moving one to two rooms of furniture, transporting flat-pack items, or making multiple business deliveries in a day.
These trucks seat two to three people comfortably, which means one driver and a helper — the standard setup for a DIY move.
Medium Trucks (3.5 to 8 Tonnes GVM)
For a full three-bedroom home relocation or a significant business goods movement, a medium truck provides the cubic capacity you need without requiring a heavy vehicle licence. Most medium-range trucks in our fleet are automatic, which reduces driver fatigue considerably on Melbourne’s congested arterials.
Specialty Trucks
We also carry refrigerated trucks for food transport, and curtainsider trucks for oversized cargo that needs to be loaded from the side. Contact our Craigieburn or Ravenhall branches to check availability for specialty units.
How Much Does Truck Rental Cost in Melbourne?
Price transparency matters to us — so here is a realistic guide to what you should expect to pay. These are indicative rates; use our online booking tool for exact pricing based on your dates and pickup location.
| Truck Type | Daily Rate (From) | Weekly Rate (From) | Ideal For |
| Light Truck (up to 3.5T) | From $89/day | From $490/week | 1–2 bedroom moves, deliveries |
| Medium Truck (3.5–8T) | From $119/day | From $690/week | Full home moves, business freight |
| Refrigerated Truck | POA — call branch | POA — call branch | Food transport, perishables |
What Drives the Cost of Truck Hire in Melbourne?
Several factors affect your final bill beyond the base daily rate. Knowing these upfront prevents billing surprises at return.
- Duration: Multi-day and weekly rentals attract lower per-day rates. If you need the truck for more than three days, a weekly rate almost always saves money.
- Kilometre charges: Some truck hire agreements have a daily kilometre cap, with charges applied above that threshold. At Turbofleet, we offer options with generous allowances — ask when booking.
- Insurance excess: The standard excess on truck hire can range from $1,500 to $3,000. Reducing this with our daily excess reduction option is worth considering for new drivers or longer trips.
- Seasonal demand: Melbourne’s peak moving seasons (end of school year, January, and around Easter) push demand and prices up. Booking two to three weeks out in these periods is strongly recommended.
What Licence Do You Need to Hire a Truck in Melbourne?
This is the question we get asked most at our Craigieburn counter. In Victoria, a standard Class C car licence allows you to drive vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes GVM — which covers the majority of light trucks available for hire with VicRoads licensing requirements]
For medium trucks above 4.5 tonnes, you will need at minimum a Light Rigid (LR) licence. Heavy Rigid (HR) applies to trucks above 8 tonnes. Before booking, always confirm the GVM of the vehicle and match it to your current licence class.
If you are unsure, our team can advise which trucks your current licence covers at the time of booking. We have never had a customer turned away because of a licence mismatch — but we do need to confirm before the keys are handed over.
Turbofleet Truck Hire Locations in Melbourne
We operate from two locations in Melbourne’s north and north-west — both chosen specifically to serve the suburbs that the airport-based truck hire companies consistently underserve.
Truck Hire Craigieburn
Our Craigieburn branch is the original Turbofleet location. Positioned close to the Hume Freeway and Craigieburn Road intersection, it provides direct access to Melbourne’s north — Broadmeadows, Epping, Lalor, Thomastown, and the Sunbury corridor. If you are relocating within northern Melbourne or heading up the Hume Highway, this is your most efficient pickup point.
The Craigieburn Growth Corridor is one of the fastest-developing areas in Victoria, which means truck hire demand is high year-round. We recommend booking at least 48 hours in advance for weekend moves.
Truck Hire Ravenhall
Our Ravenhall franchise serves Melbourne’s north-west. Ravenhall sits at the intersection of the Western Ring Road and the Western Freeway, putting it within easy reach of Sunshine, Footscray, Melton, Derrimut, and the Tullamarine Airport corridor. Businesses in the Western Industrial Precinct frequently use this branch for regular logistics needs.
When Should You Hire a Truck Instead of Using a Removalist?
The honest answer: more often than most people realise. In our experience, a full-service removalist makes sense for three-bedroom-or-larger moves where the labour savings outweigh the cost premium. For a one to two-bedroom move, a DIY truck hire typically costs. significantly less. [STAT — PLEASE VERIFY typical removalist vs DIY cost comparison in Melbourne]
We regularly see clients from Broadmeadows who have driven past removalist quotes of $900 to $1,200 for a local move and completed the job in a day with a truck hire for a fraction of that figure — with two friends helping. The calculation changes if the move involves a third or fourth floor, heavy pianos, or antiques that require professional handling
Truck Hire Tips for Melbourne’s Roads
- CityLink and EastLink tolls: Most Melbourne trucks are not fitted with e-Tags. Plan your route to avoid toll roads where possible, or arrange a day pass before your hire date. [STAT — PLEASE VERIFY toll pass options for hire vehicles in Victoria]
- Height clearance: Melbourne has several low-clearance underpasses and car parks, particularly in the inner suburbs. Always check the height of your hired truck and plan routes using truck-specific GPS navigation.
- Loading zones: Melbourne CBD has strict loading zone rules. If you are collecting furniture or goods from a city address, arrive early — loading zones fill quickly between 7am and 9am.
- Tram tracks: Be cautious on tram routes, particularly when turning. Tram lanes and the hook turns in the CBD require extra awareness from drivers unfamiliar with larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions — Truck Rental Melbourne
Can I hire a truck in Melbourne for just one day?
Yes. All Turbofleet truck hire agreements start at a minimum 24-hour period. Same-day bookings are available subject to fleet availability — call your nearest branch directly for last-minute requests.
Do I need to return the truck with a full tank?
Turbofleet operates a full-to-full fuel policy on all truck rentals. You collect the truck with a full tank and return it full. We supply a fuel receipt on collection so you know the exact fuel level expected on return.
Can I hire a truck one-way — picking up in Craigieburn and dropping off in Ravenhall, or vice versa?
One-way hires between our two Melbourne locations are available subject to fleet requirements and a one-way relocation fee. Contact either branch to confirm availability for your dates.
What happens if the truck breaks down?
All Turbofleet truck hire agreements include 24-hour roadside assistance. In the event of a breakdown, contact the emergency number provided on your hire agreement. Do not attempt to repair the vehicle yourself.
