Melbourne Storage Costs: A Complete Guide to Prices and Locations

Did you know that Australians pay on average $163 a month to store all the stuff that we can’t keep at home? We thought we´d take a good look into the world of storage and give you the latest information relevant to Melbourne storage costs.

Our team at North Removals operates within the moving and storage business, with unanimous five-star reviews from happy movers since 2019. Each member of our dedicated 10-man team has been working with us for a long time, accumulating significant experience of the storage industry.

We’ve been moving people´s belongings both in and out of storage for the past 5 years so we consider ourselves experts in this matter . To save you time we have written this article explaining the different storage units and fees you´ll find in all the Melbourne areas.

Average Unit Size and Capacity in Melbourne Explained

Probably the most important things to consider about the storage facilities in Melbourne are the size and capacity of the units. The next section will explain which unit dimensions exist alongside storage capacity details and specific features, along with advantages.

Small Units

Small-sized storage units create ideal spaces to store studio contents and seasonal products. Storage units typically occupy compact spaces: between 1.5 m² to 5 m² which offer surprising interior width to store boxes, alongside bicycles and sports equipment and even small pieces of furniture.

People who reside in small apartments hire these units because they need additional storage space to keep their essential personal belongings.

Medium Units

The contents of approximately 2 to 3 rooms are ideal for medium units. Sizes of these units range from 5 m² to 10 m² and their intermediate capacity is perfect for furniture and box storage – a great offering of space for your money.

Large Units

They can hold between 15 m² and 40 m² and can take the whole contents of 4 to 5 rooms or the whole of one house. Large units are ideal for anyone needing to stash all their furniture and possessions while looking for a new home, or for time spent overseas etc. These units are also booked by many business clients to keep inventory, furniture, equipment or vital documents that do not need daily access.

Melbourne Storage Costs, Comparison By Suburb And Size

This chart compares monthly storage prices for small, medium and large units in Melbourne suburbs. The chart also shows the monthly storage costs, by suburb, in Melbourne areas, such as the CBD, South Melbourne, Werribee, Fitzroy and Frankston, with prices from $60–$900.

The price comparison of this chart has been made using data from https://nationalstorage.com.au and https://www.kss.com.au.

People on a budget seeking long-term storage in Melbourne could consider Frankston or Werribee, as these storage locations in the outer suburbs offer small units starting at only $60 per month. The CBD and Docklands serve as your central location options, however they come with pricey monthly payments, reaching maximums of up to $700 for bigger units.

Additional Costs and Features of Storage Units in Melbourne

The base price for renting a storage unit in Melbourne represents only one of 
several fees which will determine your final budget selection.

Common Hidden Costs

Storage Insurance

The insurance coverage for your goods is available at storage facilities but they require you to buy it separately. The expense of this coverage starts at $10 per month while the rates increase according to the value of stored items. When you want to insure $5,000 in goods you would need to pay $20 per month for coverage.

Some policies may have wide exclusions, so you want to check the policy you are recommended to see what’s covered, (and what’s not covered).

Lift Access

Storage units in inner suburbs like South Melbourne are typically accessed by a lift which slows the moving process with waiting times and smaller loads, raising labour costs. On the other hand, ground floor access is more common in the outer suburbs, such as Frankston, where moves are faster, cheaper and less likely to be delayed. When you are moving in or moving out, you’ll likely use professional removalists (like us at North Removals) who will charge you per hour.

Climate Control

Wooden furniture or electronic equipment is best stored in units with climate control. A standard unit can cost at least 20% more. If your belongings need special conditions to prevent damage, this additional cost may be well worth it.

Administrative Fees

The one-time administrative fee when you reserve the unit can cost anywhere from  $20 to $25 and some might even charge you cleaning fees if you leave things behind when vacating the unit at the end of your booking.

Rent Increases

Rental rates tend to rise over time. Some companies have implemented policies for these increases, while some others increase their prices according to the market demand. Before committing to a booking you should ask how often and what percentage these increases might be.

Best Suburbs for Different Storage Needs in Melbourne

Your selection of a Melbourne storage unit depends on your budget preferences as well as the items you want to store. For different storage requirements Melbourne offers multiple suburbs which we have analysed in the attached picture.

Best for Budget Storage: Outer East and West (Werribee and Frankston)

The budget enthusiasts can find reasonably priced storage facilities in Werribee and Frankston situated within Melbourne’s outer eastern and western suburbs. People seeking cheap storage with excellent space and security features would do well to consider these specific areas.

The storage facilities in Werribee provide budget-friendly units starting from $60 per month according to our provided chart. This Melbourne suburb in the outer west provides roomy and affordable storage solutions to its clients. The affordable lifestyle of this area reaches storage facilities, so students together with young professionals and families prefer to store their belongings there.

Residents of Frankston on the outer eastern edge of Melbourne can find storage prices that match up with the other suburbs. The suburb maintains reasonable prices while providing good location access and safety measures so users can store seasonal goods and sports equipment and furniture between house moves. Data in our chart shows that Frankston’s small storage units have the lowest prices within Melbourne’s market.

Best for Climate-Controlled Units: South Melbourne and Richmond

The temperature variations in Melbourne’s climate necessitate climate-controlled storage environments to protect wooden furniture, electronics and important documentation. South Melbourne together with Richmond stand out as suburbs which provide superior storage facilities featuring climate-controlled units.

The attached chart shows South Melbourne provides state-of-the-art storage facilities which maintain temperature and humidity control. These storage units operate near the CBD and offer ideal conditions for protecting musical instruments and fine art together with delicate electronics.

In addition to its well-known boutique and café district, Richmond provides upscale self-storage services to its residents. Businesses operating in Richmond benefit from climate-controlled storage facilities which also serve professionals who need to secure their valuable personal possessions. The high price range in Richmond stands out on our graph because this area provides upscale storage solutions to customers.

Best for Business Storage: Port Melbourne and Dandenong

Some suburbs offer better storage solutions for businesses that need to store inventory, equipment, or documents because they provide convenient commercial facilities and easy access to those facilities.

Port Melbourne stands as an advantageous storage location because it allows businesses to retrieve goods regularly since it connects to both the port facilities and the central business district. The PDF shows that Port Melbourne delivers massive units with convenient drive-up capability and superior security functions which draw many commercial clients.

The industrial nature of Dandenong makes it popular for businesses operating from this area because it provides big storage spaces with good financial deals. The facility works perfectly for organisations that need substantial floor and ceiling area to store their stock as well as their tools and industrial equipment. Large unit storage at Dandenong presents as an affordable solution for businesses experiencing growth according to our chart.

Simplifying Storage and Moving: We’ve Got You Covered

So, we´ve looked at storage units in various Melbourne areas, their sizes and capacities as well as current pricing information. We´ve also looked at the other common associated costs when you take out a storage booking, and you have all the information summarised in the picture above.

Now that you have all the information about prices and cost of Melbourne storage is time to pull the trigger. Whether you’re looking for residential, climate-controlled, or business storage, contact us for expert guidance, we offer a wide range of storage facilities and moving services. We can pack, move and unpack for you, in fact, we know all the facilities like the back of our hand!