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Pallets are essential for storing, stacking, and moving goods efficiently. In Australia, the standard pallet size is 1165x1165mm, which is distinct from other international pallet sizes. This size was first introduced when the Americans left behind their materials handling equipment and a large stock of pallets in Australia after World War II. While this size is well-suited for Australian railways' RACE containers, it is not compatible with the standard ISO shipping containers used internationally, leading to increased transport costs and the need for repalletizing. Despite a 2002 report recommending a change to the ISO standard size, Australia continues to use its unique pallet size, playing a crucial role in the country's logistics and transportation industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Size | 1165 x 1165 mm |
| Height | 150 mm |
| Weight capacity | Lightweight (up to 1 tonne), Heavy Duty (up to 2 tonnes) |
| Material | Softwood, Hardwood, Pinewood, Plastic |
| Use | Domestic transportation, Export |
| Compliance | ISPM 15 regulations, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) |
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What You'll Learn
The Australian standard pallet is 1165x1165mm
The Australian standard pallet was introduced by the Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool (CHEP) after World War II. The Americans left behind a large stock of pallets in Australia, and CHEP introduced a standard pallet to exploit these assets. The Australian standard pallet was originally specified as 46 x 46 inches (or 48 x 48 inches, or 4 ft x 4 ft), but this was metricated to the marginally smaller 1165 x 1165 mm dimensions.
The Australian standard pallet is designed to fit the RACE containers of Australian railways. Two pallets fit closely side by side in a RACE container, and they can be stacked on two levels, so one container can hold 20 pallets. A standard railway wagon carries three containers and can thus hold 60 pallets. Two-thirds of palletized transport within Australia uses the 1165 x 1165 standard pallet.
The Australian standard pallet is typically made from materials like pinewood or other softwood or hardwood. Softwood pallets are lighter and more economical, making them a good choice when the budget is tight and loads are lighter. Hardwood pallets, on the other hand, offer greater durability and can carry heavier loads. They are suitable for industries where robustness is key.
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They are designed for Australian railway RACE containers
Standard Australian pallets are designed with the country's unique railway system in mind. These pallets need to fit seamlessly into the Australian railway's RACE containers, a key part of the country's intermodal freight network. RACE stands for Rail, Australia, Container, Equipment, and this system is designed to streamline the movement of goods across the country. The RACE containers are built to a specific size, and the pallets must be designed to fit perfectly within these dimensions. This ensures that the pallets can be easily loaded and unloaded from the containers, maximising efficiency and minimising damage during transportation.
The Australian railway system has a unique history, and its distinct characteristics have influenced the design of the RACE containers and pallets. The vast distances and varying terrain, from deserts to mountains, have shaped the railway network and the pallets' design. The pallets are constructed from durable materials like wood or plastic to withstand the rigours of rail transportation, including varying weather conditions and potential rough terrain.
To meet these requirements, Australian standard pallets exhibit exceptional strength and stability. They are designed to withstand the weight of heavy loads and the vibrations and impacts inherent in rail transportation. Carefully spaced support boards and secure fastenings contribute to the pallets' stability, ensuring that goods remain secure during transport. This focus on stability is crucial for the safe and efficient movement of goods.
Additionally, the pallets' stacking capability is a key feature. Designed to be stackable, they optimise space utilisation within RACE containers. This requires a strong, stable structure with a flat, even surface to support stacked pallets and goods securely. Enhanced edge support further contributes to the stability of stacked pallets, ensuring the integrity of the entire stack.
Australian standard pallets designed for railway RACE containers are integral to the country's logistics and supply chain management. Their optimised design facilitates efficient transportation of goods across Australia's diverse landscape. By seamlessly integrating with the RACE container system, these pallets excel in intermodal freight transport, ensuring the secure and timely movement of goods across various modes of transport, including road and rail. This unique pallet design plays a vital role in maintaining a robust and efficient supply chain network nationwide.
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They are not suitable for international shipping containers
The Australian standard pallet, measuring 1165 x 1165 mm, is not suitable for international shipping containers. This is because the standard ISO shipping containers used globally are 20 feet (6.1 m) or 40 feet (12 m) long, and the Australian pallet does not fit well within these dimensions, resulting in wasted floor space.
The Australian standard pallet was developed to seamlessly fit within the country's railway RACE containers, where two pallets can sit closely side by side, facilitating efficient stacking and reducing the risk of goods shifting during transit. However, this configuration is not compatible with the standard ISO containers used for international shipping.
The incompatibility of the Australian standard pallet with international shipping containers can lead to increased transport costs for international trade. Export goods may need to be repalletized to suit the requirements of the destination country, and in some cases, this may need to be done twice: once to fit an international container and again to meet the pallet standards of the receiving country if they also use a non-standard size.
A 2002 report commissioned by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services recommended replacing the Australian standard pallet with the ISO standard size of 1200 x 1000 mm, as two-thirds of Australia's trade is with countries that use this size or its near equivalent. Despite the potential cost savings, Australia continues to use its standard pallet size due to the estimated $600 million cost of transitioning to a new size, which would include changes to storage racking and other equipment.
To avoid issues when shipping internationally, it is crucial to understand the different pallet sizes and their compatibility with various modes of transport. Export pallets are designed to maximise space in shipping containers, and different regions may have specific requirements, such as Europe's requirement for Euro pallets.
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Pallets for export must be compliant with ISPM 15 regulations
The Australian standard pallet size is 1165 x 1165 mm, which is designed to fit the RACE containers of Australian railways. This size is unique to Australia and is not used elsewhere in the world. As a result, when shipping goods internationally, they may need to be repalletized to suit the requirements of the destination country. This can increase transport costs for international trade.
The most common method to meet ISPM 15 regulations is heat treatment, where the timber is heated to a core temperature of 133°F (56°C) for 30 minutes. Treated wood is then certified with the HT lumber grade stamp. If a country has adopted ISPM 15, wood packaging shipped to it must be labelled with either the IPPC MB mark or the IPPC HT. If a shipment does not have the certification mark, it may be kept for fumigation, sent back to the port of origin, or destroyed at the shipper's expense.
Not all packaging materials need to be treated to qualify as shipping materials. Some exempt materials include plastic pallets, corrugated pallets, presswood pallets, composite wooden pallet blocks, and plywood or processed wood. It is important to note that confirmation with the export authority is required when exporting to another country.
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Australia was one of the first countries to develop a standard pallet
The Australian standard pallet is designed for use with the RACE container of Australian railways. The pallet was originally specified at 46 × 46 inches (or 48 × 48 inches, or 4 ft × 4 ft), but this was metricated to the slightly smaller 1165 × 1165 mm dimensions. Two pallets fit perfectly side by side in a RACE container, and they can be stacked on two levels, allowing a standard railway wagon to carry 60 pallets.
Despite being peculiar to Australia, the Australian standard pallet has been retained. Using non-standard pallets can increase transport costs for international trade, as goods may need to be repalletized to suit the destination country's requirements. However, a 2002 report by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services found that changing to the ISO standard size of 1200×1000 mm would be worth a net present value of up to $5.1 billion. Although the report recommended changing to the ISO standard, Australia continues to use its own standard pallet size.
The Australian standard pallet is typically crafted from softwood or hardwood and is available in lightweight (1-tonne capacity) and heavy-duty (2-tonne capacity) options. The lightweight option is made with lighter timber, while the heavy-duty version is good for durability and weather tolerance. Australian standard pallets are widely used in storage and warehousing as racking pallets, as they can be easily transferred from transport to warehouse racking.
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Frequently asked questions
The standard pallet size in Australia is 1165 x 1165 mm.
Australia was one of the first countries to develop a standard pallet size during World War II. The country was inspired by the United States, which used palletized transport on a large scale for its logistics efforts during the war. However, the Australian standard pallet size is not used internationally and is peculiar to the country.
Australian standard pallets are typically made from softwood or hardwood. Softwood pallets are lighter and more economical, whereas hardwood pallets are more durable and can carry heavier loads.
Australian standard pallets are not suitable for standard 20-foot or 40-foot ISO shipping containers used internationally. Export pallets, which are slightly smaller, are typically used for shipping goods outside of Australia.
