Australia Has Its Own Standard Pallet. Most Operations Just Don’t Think About It.

The pallet on your warehouse floor is 1165 mm × 1165 mm. It is perfectly square, rated to carry 2,000 kg, and exists nowhere else in the world quite like this. It was designed specifically to fit two pallets side by side in Australia’s RACE railway containers — a decision made in the 1970s that still shapes every racking system, every truck deck, and every wrapping machine used in this country today.

That matters more than most people realise. Get the pallet wrong — or ignore what the standard actually requires for wrapping and load containment — and you are wasting film, risking transit damage, and potentially falling short of your WHS obligations.

This page cuts through the noise. What does AS 4068 actually specify? Which film do you need? What machine suits your volume? Let’s work through it.

Quick Answer — Standard Pallet Size Australia

The Australian standard pallet measures 1165 mm × 1165 mm, maximum height 150 mm, rated load capacity up to 2,000 kg — as defined by AS 4068-1993: Flat Pallets for Materials Handling. Its square shape was designed for Australia’s RACE railway containers and is used in two-thirds of all palletised freight across the country.

What Does the AS 4068 Standard Actually Specify?

AS 4068-1993 is the governing standard for flat pallets used in materials handling across Australia. It covers more than just the footprint — it specifies board thickness, weight tolerances, bearer dimensions, and the two recognised size variants in use domestically.

Footprint (domestic) 1165 × 1165 mm
Footprint (export/ISO container) 1100 × 1100 mm
Maximum overall height 150 mm
Board thickness (minimum) 22 mm
Bearer height (minimum) 90 mm
Unloaded pallet weight 30–40 kg
Rated load capacity Up to 2,000 kg

The square shape is the defining feature. Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm) and US pallets (1219 × 1016 mm) do not fit Australian racking cleanly — and the Australian standard pallet does not fit ISO shipping containers without repalletisation. For export shipments, pallets also need ISPM-15 heat treatment certification on top of AS 4068.

Picking the Right Stretch Film Is Where Most Operations Leave Money on the Floor

Most warehouses either over-spec their film or under-spec it. Both cost money. Heavier film is not always safer — an over-wrapped pallet loses the elasticity that protects the load under braking. The film should work like a seatbelt, not a straitjacket.

A simple guide for Australian standard pallets:

Under 500 kg | 17–20 micron cast machine film
500 kg – 2,000 kg | 23–25 micron cast machine film
Sharp-edged loads | Blown stretch film
Export / long-haul freight | 23 micron+ or black machine film

One thing that is non-negotiable: the wrap must come down and around the base of the pallet itself — not just around the load above it. That base anchor wrap is what keeps the load physically secured to the pallet in transit. The NHVR Load Restraint Guide is explicit on this point.

NHVR — Load Restraint Guide: Stretch Wrapping

View Paxum® Stretch Film Range

Manual Wrapping Is a WHS Risk. Australian Law Is Clear on This.

Manual pallet wrapping is classified as a hazardous manual task under Australian WHS legislation. WorkSafe Victoria spells it out directly: bending to stretch-wrap pallets creates musculoskeletal disorder risk through awkward posture, repetitive motion, and sustained force. Your legal obligation as an employer is to eliminate or reduce that risk as far as reasonably practicable — and installing an automatic pallet wrapper is the recommended control measure.

Body stressing from repetitive manual handling accounts for 34.5% of all serious workers’ compensation claims in Australia. A single serious injury claim typically costs more than the machine that would have prevented it.

Chain of Responsibility reminder: Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, CoR obligations extend to consignors and packers — not just drivers. If your team wraps the freight, your wrapping standard is part of your compliance record. A machine delivers consistent, verifiable tension every time.

Which Wrapping Machine Suits Your Daily Pallet Volume?

Volume, load weight, and floor setup determine the right machine. All Paxum® machines are configured for Australian standard 1165 × 1165 mm pallets.

Under 60 pallets/day Paxum® X0ms — entry level, one-touch start
60–150 pallets/day Paxum® X200 — 300% pre-stretch, 2,000 kg
Distribution centres Paxum® PR360 — 8 programs, remote control
Production line Paxum® S300 Inline — 3,000 kg, conveyor integration

Semi-automatic machines from AU$7,000–$20,000. Most operations achieve payback within 6–18 months. 3-year warranty on every machine.

View All Pallet Wrapping Machines

Find the Right Paxum® Machine for Your Operation

All machines configured for Australia’s standard 1165 × 1165 mm pallet. 3-year warranty included.

Entry Level Paxum® X0ms
One-touch start, memory settings, photoelectric height detection. The right first machine for warehouses ready to move from manual wrapping to automation.
View Machine
Fully Automatic Paxum® X100
Auto film cut and clamp, remote control, LCD touch screen, up to 400% pre-stretch. 20–25 loads per hour, 2,000 kg capacity. Optional built-in scales.
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Most Popular Paxum® X200
300% pre-stretch, auto film attach and cut, remote control, Siemens PLC. 30–40 loads per hour. 2,000 kg rated capacity. Designed for medium-volume warehouses.
View Machine
Robot Wrapper Paxum® R600
Self-propelled robot wrapper — no turntable needed. Wraps any pallet size or weight, 350% pre-stretch, anti-collision safety system, Siemens touch screen. Ideal for large or irregular floor layouts.
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Production Line Paxum® S300 Inline
Integrates directly into conveyor systems. 3,000 kg capacity. Siemens PLC. Eliminates the need for separate horizontal strapping on heavy loads.
View Machine

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Standard Pallet Size in Australia — and What Does It Mean for Your Wrapping?

Australia’s standard pallet size is 1165 mm × 1165 mm, defined by AS 4068-1993. Its unique square design is tailored for Australian logistics and used for around two-thirds of palletised freight. For wrapping, this means selecting the right film width, tension, and wrapping pattern to maximise load stability, minimise film waste, and prevent transport damage.

What stretch film thickness do I need for an Australian standard pallet?

For Australian standard pallets, 17–20 micron stretch film is typically suitable for loads under 500 kg, while 23–25 micron film is recommended for heavier loads. Blown stretch film offers greater puncture resistance for sharp-edged products such as timber or steel. Choosing the right thickness matters—over-wrapping can reduce elasticity and compromise load stability during transit.

Is manual pallet wrapping compliant with Australian WHS law?

Manual wrapping is a classified hazardous manual task. Employers must eliminate or reduce MSD risk so far as reasonably practicable. Installing an automatic pallet wrapper is the recommended control measure under WorkSafe Victoria guidance.

Which pallet wrapping machine suits a 1165 × 1165 mm pallet?

Any turntable machine sized for Australian pallet dimensions. Gateway Packaging’s Paxum® range — X0ms, X200, PR360, and S300 Inline — covers entry-level through to full production line integration, up to 3,000 kg.

Does Australia's standard pallet work for export?

Not without adjustment. The 1165 × 1165 mm pallet does not fit ISO shipping containers. Use the 1100 × 1100 mm export variant, which also requires ISPM-15 heat treatment certification. Most exporters repalletise at the container loading point.

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Standard Australian Pallet Sizes

and Their Wrapping Impact