What it costs to set up a mechanic workshop
Workshop equipment is one of the few niches where Australian retailers publish real prices, so an honest budget is buildable line by line. Here it is, from the first hoist to the spray booth that doubles the project.
The equipment list, priced
| Item | Price (inc GST) |
|---|---|
| Two-post hoist, 4 tonne import grade | $3,590 to $4,180 |
| Two-post hoist, Australian-made premium | quote-only, typically 2 to 3x import |
| Four-post alignment hoist (4 to 8 tonne) | $9,990 to $15,900 |
| 3D wheel aligner (import) | $6,400 to $16,400 |
| Premium aligner (Hunter class) | quote-only, $50,000 plus territory |
| Tyre changer and balancer | $2,700 to $5,000 the pair |
| Compliant spray booth | $20,000 to $50,000 plus install |
| Rotary screw compressor (11kW) | $7,000 to $17,600 |
| Pro diagnostic scan tablet | $3,000 to $6,000 |
Published startup figures put workshop equipment at $32,000 to $150,000 depending on bays and capability, inside a total establishment budget that reaches $500,000 once rent, staff and working capital are counted. The two big jumps: alignment capability (the four-post plus aligner is a $20,000 to $65,000 step that opens a whole service line) and the spray booth, which brings compliance, make-up air and council approval with it. Buying an established owner-operated workshop instead runs $150,000 to $400,000.
The bay maths
A three-hoist general workshop with alignment, roughly $60,000 of equipment, runs about $300 a week financed over five years, less than one hour of charged labour a day. Equipment is never the reason a workshop fails; the rent and the working capital are, so finance the gear and keep the cash.
Financing the fitout
Hoists, aligners, booths and compressors all write as business equipment on one facility, new or used. Property-backed borrowers generally price around 6% to 9% p.a. and non-property-backed deals around 9% to 13%, with approvals commonly back in 24 to 48 hours. Run the list through the repayment calculator, or start at equipment finance.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a car hoist cost in Australia?
Import-grade two-post hoists run $3,590 to $4,180 including GST, four-post alignment hoists $9,990 to $15,900, and Australian-made premium brands are quote-only at roughly two to three times import pricing.
How much is a wheel alignment machine?
Import 3D aligners run $6,400 to $16,400 including GST. Premium brands like Hunter are dealer-quote, commonly $50,000-plus installed.
What does a compliant spray booth cost?
Standard automotive booths start around $20,000 with non-pressurised booths to $50,000, before installation, ducting and council compliance, which add materially.
Can workshop equipment be financed?
Yes, on one equipment facility, new or used, and staged: many workshops open with two hoists and add alignment or paint capability as extensions.
Bays to a weekly number
Tell us the bay count and capability list and we will come back with one weekly number, 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.