Updated May 2026. Most Melbourne moves don’t go front-door to front-door. The new lease starts a week after the old one ends, the renovation isn’t finished, the buyer brought the settlement forward — and suddenly you need somewhere to park 60 cubic metres of life for 3 to 90 days. Here is the 2026 storage-with-removalist playbook from Yes Movers.
The three types of moving storage in Melbourne
1. Self-storage (you drive, you load, you access anytime)
You hire a unit at a facility (Kennards, Storage King, National Storage, Fort Knox), drive your stuff there, load it yourself, and get a key/access code. Cheapest for long stays, most work for you.
- 3m³ locker — $35–$55/week
- 9m³ unit (1BR worth) — $65–$120/week
- 15m³ unit (2BR worth) — $110–$180/week
- 27m³ unit (3BR + garage) — $180–$310/week
2. Removalist storage in transit (we store, we deliver)
Your removalist loads your stuff at origin, takes it back to their warehouse, holds it 1–90 days, then redelivers when you’re ready. No facility access, no driving — but cheaper per week than self-storage for short stays and no second handling fee.
- 5m³ in transit — $45–$70/week
- 15m³ in transit — $90–$160/week
- 25m³ in transit — $150–$260/week
- One-off pickup + redelivery — saves the double-handling fee of self-storage
3. Mobile / portable storage (container delivered to you)
A 2.4 x 2.4 x 6 metre container is dropped at your kerb. You load at your own pace over a few days, then they collect and store. Good for slow renovations.
- 8m³ container delivery + 4 weeks storage — $480–$720
- 20m³ container delivery + 4 weeks storage — $850–$1,300
Which storage option to pick — quick decision guide
- Storing for <3 weeks? Removalist in-transit storage usually wins
- Storing for 1–6 months? Self-storage usually wins on price
- Need regular access during storage? Self-storage (only option)
- Storing during renovation? Mobile / portable container
- Storing valuables, antiques, electronics? Climate-controlled self-storage
The hidden costs that change the maths
- Double handling — self-storage means you (or movers) handle every item twice: into the unit, out of the unit. That’s 2 extra hours of labour on a typical 2BR move ($260–$400).
- Access fees — some self-storage charges $5–$15 per visit after-hours.
- Climate control surcharge — 20–35% on top of standard rates. Needed for paintings, leather, books, electronics in summer.
- Minimum stays — some facilities charge 1 month minimum even if you only need 2 weeks.
- Padlock — many facilities require their padlock ($25–$45 one-off).
Top Melbourne self-storage facilities we deliver to weekly
- Kennards Self Storage — Port Melbourne, Brunswick, Moorabbin, Footscray
- Storage King — Cremorne, Coburg, Mulgrave, Cheltenham
- National Storage — Richmond, Preston, Springvale
- Fort Knox — Highett, Heidelberg, Tullamarine
- Box Self Storage — Brunswick, Pascoe Vale
Tip: ask the facility for a “removalist arrival permit” — they’ll reserve the loading bay and lift, saving 30–60 minutes of waiting time you’d otherwise pay your movers for.
How to pack for storage (different from packing for a move)
- Double-wall boxes only — single-wall collapses under 6 months of stacking
- Bubble wrap, not newspaper — newsprint transfers in humidity
- Disassemble bed frames and wardrobes — 60% space saving
- Strip and bag bedding in vacuum bags — 75% space saving
- Don’t store anything organic — old food in fridges, sealed pasta, unopened spices all attract pests
- Leave fridge doors propped open with a tea towel
- Drain fuel from mowers, whippersnippers, generators
- Label EVERY box with destination room and contents (you’ll forget by week 4)
Get a Melbourne storage + move quote — tell us volume, dates and access needs, we’ll quote both in-transit and self-storage options side by side.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to store furniture in Melbourne in 2026?
Self-storage runs $65–$120/week for a 1BR worth of stuff, $110–$180/week for 2BR, $180–$310/week for 3BR + garage. Removalist in-transit storage is cheaper for stays under 3 weeks.
Is self-storage or removalist storage cheaper?
For stays under 3 weeks, removalist in-transit storage usually wins because you avoid double-handling fees. For 1–6 month stays, self-storage is cheaper. For renovations where you need slow load-in, mobile/portable containers win.
Do I need climate-controlled storage in Melbourne?
For everyday furniture, no. For leather furniture, oil paintings, books, vinyl records, antique timber and most electronics, yes — Melbourne summers regularly hit 40°C and standard sheds get to 55°C inside.
Can my removalist drop straight into self-storage?
Yes — this is one of our most common jobs. Book the storage unit first, get the access code, share with us at quote stage. We deliver direct, no extra handling fee.

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