How Much Does 3PL Fulfilment Cost in Australia?

"How much does 3PL cost?" is one of the most common questions we hear from Australian eCommerce brands considering outsourcing their fulfilment. It's also one of the hardest to answer with a single number — because 3PL pricing is made up of multiple components, and the total cost depends heavily on your order volume, product size, and service requirements.

This guide breaks down every fee you're likely to encounter, explains what's reasonable to expect, and helps you calculate whether outsourcing to a 3PL makes financial sense for your business.

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Why 3PL Pricing Is Complicated

Unlike a simple subscription service, 3PL pricing reflects the actual resources consumed to store, pick, pack, and ship your products. A brand selling 50 small, lightweight orders per day has very different costs to a brand shipping 500 large, heavy items.

Most 3PL providers charge across several categories:

1. Onboarding / setup fees
2. Receiving and inbound processing
3. Storage fees
4. Pick and pack fees
5. Packaging materials
6. Shipping costs
7. Returns processing
8. Account management / software fees

Let's break each one down.

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1. Onboarding and Setup Fees

Some 3PL providers charge a one-time setup fee to cover the cost of integrating your store, configuring your SKUs in their warehouse management system, and onboarding your account.

Typical range: $0 – $500 AUD

At EShipWay, we don't charge setup fees. We believe onboarding is an investment in a long-term partnership, not a revenue line.

What to watch for: Providers that charge high setup fees and then lock you into long-term contracts. Setup fees should reflect genuine onboarding work, not a barrier to exit.

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2. Receiving and Inbound Processing

When your stock arrives at the 3PL warehouse, it needs to be received, counted, inspected, and put away. This is typically charged per carton, per pallet, or per SKU.

Typical range:

• Per carton: $2 – $5 AUD
• Per pallet: $15 – $35 AUD
• Per SKU (for complex receiving): $0.10 – $0.50 per unit

What to watch for: Some providers charge both a per-carton and a per-unit fee. Make sure you understand exactly what triggers a receiving charge before you send your first inbound shipment.

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3. Storage Fees

Storage is charged based on the space your stock occupies in the warehouse. This is typically measured in cubic metres (m³) per month, or by the number of pallet positions or shelf locations used.

Typical range:

• Per cubic metre per month: $15 – $40 AUD
• Per pallet position per month: $20 – $50 AUD
• Per shelf location per month: $5 – $20 AUD

What to watch for: Storage fees can add up quickly if you're holding slow-moving stock. A good 3PL will help you optimise your inventory levels to minimise storage costs. Also watch for minimum storage charges — some providers charge for a minimum number of pallet positions even if you're using less.

Seasonal storage surcharges: Many 3PLs apply higher storage rates during October–December due to increased warehouse demand. Ask about this upfront.

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4. Pick and Pack Fees

This is typically the largest variable cost in your 3PL bill. Pick and pack fees cover the labour involved in picking your products from the shelf, packing them into a box or satchel, and preparing them for dispatch.

Typical range:

• First item in an order: $1.50 – $4.00 AUD
• Each additional item: $0.30 – $1.00 AUD
• Kitting / assembly (e.g. gift sets): $0.50 – $3.00 per unit additional

What to watch for: The per-item fee for additional items is where costs can blow out for multi-SKU orders. If your average order contains 3–4 items, model this carefully. Also check whether kitting is charged at the time of assembly or at the time of dispatch — it makes a difference to your cash flow.

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5. Packaging Materials

Some 3PLs include basic packaging materials (satchels, boxes, tape) in their pick and pack fee. Others charge separately. If you use custom branded packaging, you'll typically supply this yourself and the 3PL will charge a small handling fee.

Typical range:

• Standard satchel: $0.50 – $2.00 AUD
• Standard box: $1.00 – $4.00 AUD
• Custom packaging (supplied by you): $0.20 – $0.50 handling fee per order

What to watch for: If you're using generic packaging supplied by the 3PL, make sure the quality is acceptable for your brand. Cheap packaging that damages products in transit will cost you far more in returns and customer complaints than the saving on materials.

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6. Shipping Costs

Shipping is usually the largest single line item in your fulfilment costs. Most 3PLs have negotiated rates with major carriers (Australia Post, StarTrack, Couriers Please, Sendle, DHL) and pass these through to you — sometimes with a small margin, sometimes at cost.

Typical range (domestic, standard satchel):

• 500g: $7 – $12 AUD
• 1kg: $9 – $15 AUD
• 3kg: $12 – $20 AUD
• 5kg: $15 – $28 AUD

What to watch for: Compare the 3PL's carrier rates against what you could negotiate directly. A good 3PL should be able to offer rates that are competitive with or better than what you'd get on your own, due to their aggregated volume. Also check for fuel surcharges, residential delivery surcharges, and remote area fees — these can add $5–$15 per order in some cases.

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7. Returns Processing

Returns are an unavoidable part of eCommerce. Most 3PLs charge a fee to receive, inspect, and process returned items.

Typical range:

• Per return received: $2 – $8 AUD
• Per item inspected and restocked: $1 – $3 AUD
• Disposal of unsellable returns: $1 – $5 per unit

What to watch for: If your return rate is high (above 10–15%), returns processing costs can become significant. Make sure your 3PL has a clear, documented returns workflow and that you receive regular reports on return reasons and restock rates.

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8. Account Management and Software Fees

Some 3PLs charge a monthly account management or platform fee to cover access to their WMS portal, reporting tools, and account manager time.

Typical range: $0 – $300 AUD per month

At EShipWay, we include account management and portal access in our standard pricing — there are no hidden platform fees.

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Putting It All Together: A Sample Cost Calculation

Let's model a typical Australian eCommerce brand:

• Monthly orders: 300
• Average items per order: 2
• Average order weight: 800g
• Storage: 5 pallet positions

Cost Component	Rate	Monthly Cost
Storage (5 pallets)	$30/pallet	$150
Pick and pack (first item)	$2.50/order	$750
Pick and pack (second item)	$0.50/item	$150
Packaging (satchel)	$1.00/order	$300
Shipping (800g domestic)	$10.00/order	$3,000
Total		$4,350/month

That works out to approximately $14.50 per order — which for most brands is competitive with or better than self-fulfilment once you factor in your own labour, rent, and carrier rates.

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Is 3PL Cheaper Than Self-Fulfilment?

For most Australian eCommerce brands shipping more than 50–100 orders per month, outsourcing to a 3PL is cost-competitive with self-fulfilment — and often cheaper when you account for:

• Your own time (at an honest hourly rate)
• Warehouse rent or home office space
• Packaging materials purchased at retail rates
• Carrier rates without volume discounts
• The cost of fulfilment errors and customer service time

The real value of a 3PL isn't just cost — it's the time and headspace you get back to focus on growing your business.

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Get a Transparent Quote from EShipWay

At EShipWay, we believe in transparent pricing with no hidden fees. We'll give you a detailed cost breakdown based on your actual order volume, product dimensions, and service requirements — so you can make an informed decision.

Request a free quote and we'll have a detailed proposal back to you within 24 hours.