What a farm shed costs in Australia
Shed quotes confuse people because half the market prices the kit and half prices the finished building. The gap between those two numbers is $40,000 to $60,000 on a mid-size shed. Here are both, from Australian shed companies' published price lists.
Machinery sheds
| Shed | Kit only | Installed (incl slab, erection) |
|---|---|---|
| Medium enclosed, ~17.5 x 9m | $34,000 to $51,500 | $75,000 to $110,000 |
| Machinery shed, 18x12 to 24x18m | $65,000 to $95,000 | $80,000 to $210,000 |
| Large enclosed, ~32 x 12m | $63,500 to $120,000 | $160,000 to $209,000 (24x40m class) |
| Very large open-front, to 27 x 64m | quote | $290,000 to $363,000 |
Installed pricing runs $450 to $900 per square metre with slab, permits and erection included; structure-only rates of $150 to $550 per metre explain the cheaper quotes. The slab itself runs $70 to $105 per square metre supplied and laid, $15,000 to $25,000 for a 12 x 12m rural slab. Wind region drives engineering cost: cyclonic-region sheds price meaningfully higher.
Hay sheds
Open-front hay sheds run $60,000 to $85,000 installed at 24 x 15m and $90,000 to $130,000 at 32 x 18m, working out to roughly $160 to $200 per square metre or $65 to $120 per bale stored, which is the number that makes the business case against weather losses.
Financing the shed
Sheds are fixed improvements, which puts them in property-backed territory where the pricing is best: as a working rule 6% to 9% p.a. with property security. A $150,000 installed machinery shed runs about $745 a week over five years, and terms can run longer against property. Equipment stored in it finances separately on chattel mortgage. Start at agricultural finance or run the quote through the repayment calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a farm shed cost in Australia?
Kit prices run $34,000 to $51,500 for a medium enclosed shed and $65,000 to $120,000 for large machinery sheds. Installed, with slab and erection, expect $80,000 to $210,000 for common machinery shed sizes, and up to $363,000 for the largest open-front spans.
Why is the installed price so much higher than the kit price?
The kit excludes the concrete slab, delivery, erection labour and permits. On a 12 x 12m shed those add $40,000 to $60,000 over the kit price.
How much is a hay shed?
Installed open-front hay sheds run $60,000 to $85,000 at 24 x 15m and $90,000 to $130,000 at 32 x 18m, roughly $65 to $120 per bale stored.
How are farm sheds financed?
As fixed improvements they sit naturally in property-backed lending at the sharpest rates, with terms that can run longer than equipment finance. The machinery inside finances separately.
Shed quote to weekly number
Tell us the shed quote and we will come back with the weekly repayment, usually within a day.
This article is general information only and not financial, credit, or tax advice. Ventas Asset Lending is a finance broker, not a lender. Approvals are subject to lender assessment. Consider your own circumstances and speak to a qualified professional, including your accountant for any tax questions.