Boxes 
Moving 
Packing 
Storage How Much Do Moving Boxes Cost?
Moving house is stressful enough without surprises at checkout. One of the most common questions we hear is: how much should I budget for moving boxes? The answer depends on the size of your home, whether you hire or buy, and what packing materials you need beyond just the boxes themselves.
This guide breaks it all down clearly — with up-to-date prices for every home size, a comparison of hiring versus buying, and a full list of what's included in each package so you know exactly what you're getting before you order.
Should You Hire or Buy Moving Boxes?
This is the first decision to make, and the right answer comes down to one thing: how long do you need the boxes?
Hiring is the smarter choice for most people. If you'll be done with your boxes within 3 months — which covers the vast majority of moves — hiring works out roughly 20% cheaper than buying. You also don't have to worry about what to do with a stack of flat-packed cardboard once you're unpacked. Hire A Box will collect them for free.
Buying makes more sense if:
- You need the boxes for longer than 3 months (e.g. going into storage)
- You want to keep some boxes for storage in your new home
- You're moving interstate and can't arrange a return pickup
Not sure which is right for you? Hiring is always the lower-risk option — you can choose to keep any boxes at the end of your move by forfeiting the deposit on those specific boxes. No pressure to return anything you want to hold onto.
Prices at a Glance — All Home Sizes
The table below shows current package prices by home size. Every package includes boxes, tape, wrapping paper, bubble wrap and a tape dispenser — everything you need in one order, delivered next day for free.
| Home Size | Hire Price | Buy Price | You Save by Hiring |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $155.25 | $174.75 | $19.50 |
| 2 Bedroom | $235.25 | $267.75 | $32.50 |
| 3 Bedroom | $364.35 | $421.85 | $57.50 |
| 4 Bedroom | $508.55 | $587.55 | $79.00 |
| 5 Bedroom | $601.50 | $698.50 | $97.00 |
All prices include GST. Free next-day delivery applies to hire orders over $65 and buy orders over $99 — every package above qualifies automatically.
Package Details by Home Size
1 Bedroom Home
What's included
- 15 medium boxes
- 1 tape roll
- 10 large boxes
- 1 tape dispenser
- 200 sheets wrapping paper
- 1 marker pen
- 5m bubble wrap
✓ Free delivery + free collection
✓ Free next-day delivery
2 Bedroom Home
What's included
- 25 medium boxes
- 2 tape rolls
- 20 large boxes
- 1 tape dispenser
- 200 sheets wrapping paper
- 1 marker pen
- 5m bubble wrap
✓ Free delivery + free collection
✓ Free next-day delivery
3 Bedroom Home
What's included
- 35 medium boxes
- 3 port-a-robe boxes
- 25 large boxes
- 3 tape rolls
- 400 sheets wrapping paper
- 1 tape dispenser
- 15m bubble wrap
- 1 marker pen
✓ Free delivery + free collection
✓ Free next-day delivery
4 Bedroom Home
What's included
- 50 medium boxes
- 4 port-a-robe boxes
- 35 large boxes
- 4 tape rolls
- 600 sheets wrapping paper
- 1 tape dispenser
- 15m bubble wrap
- 1 marker pen
✓ Free delivery + free collection
✓ Free next-day delivery
5 Bedroom Home
What's included
- 60 medium boxes
- 5 port-a-robe boxes
- 45 large boxes
- 5 tape rolls
- 600 sheets wrapping paper
- 1 tape dispenser
- 15m bubble wrap
- 1 marker pen
✓ Free delivery + free collection
✓ Free next-day delivery
What's in Every Package?
Medium boxes (430 x 315 x 317mm) are your workhorses — ideal for books, crockery, pantry items, tools, and anything heavy. Because they're smaller, they're easier to lift when full and less likely to be overpacked.
Large boxes (430 x 405 x 650mm) are for lighter but bulkier items — clothes, linen, cushions, toys, pots and pans. Resist the temptation to fill them with heavy items or they'll become impossible to carry.
Port-a-robe boxes are included from the 3 bedroom package upwards. These tall wardrobe boxes have a hanging rail inside so your clothes go straight from your wardrobe into the box on their hangers — and straight back out at the other end. No folding, no creasing.
Wrapping paper is unprinted newsprint — no ink marks on your crockery or glassware unlike newspaper. Bubble wrap covers anything fragile that needs extra protection. And the tape dispenser — if you've ever tried to find the end of a roll of tape while your hands are full, you'll know exactly why it's in every package.
What If I Need More Than the Package Includes?
Packages are a great starting point but every move is different. Hire A Box keeps things flexible:
- Add individual items to any package at checkout — extra boxes, more bubble wrap, additional tape rolls
- Free top-up delivery — if you run out mid-move, we'll deliver more with no extra delivery fee within 3 months of your original order
- Return unused hire boxes for a full deposit refund — so there's no risk in ordering a few extra
How Does the Deposit Work?
When you hire boxes, you pay a refundable deposit on each item. You get it back in full within 5 business days of collection, as long as boxes come back undamaged. Normal wear and tear from a standard move is completely fine — no ink marks, no rips or water damage is all we ask.
| Item | Deposit |
|---|---|
| Medium box | $1.60 per box |
| Large box | $2.50 per box |
| Port-a-robe box | $7.00 per box + $2.00 for the hanging rail |
| Tape dispenser | $10.00 each |
You have up to 3 months to return your boxes. After that the deposit is forfeited, so book your pickup before the 3 months is up — it takes about 60 seconds online.
Where Do We Deliver?
Hire A Box delivers to metro areas across four Australian cities. Click your city below to see the specific suburbs and areas we cover, and check your postcode:
Deliveries run Monday to Friday with your choice of 2-hour windows from 8am to 6pm. Same-day delivery may be available — call us before 11am on 1300 858 446 to check.
Ready to Order?
Place your order online 24 hours a day. Choose your package, pick your delivery date and 2-hour window, and pay securely by Visa, Mastercard or debit card. If you'd rather talk it through first, call us on 1300 858 446 Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5pm AEST.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire moving boxes for a 2 bedroom home?
Hiring a full package for a 2 bedroom home costs $235.25 including GST. This includes 25 medium boxes, 20 large boxes, 2 tape rolls, a tape dispenser, 200 sheets of wrapping paper, 5m of bubble wrap and a marker pen — plus free next-day delivery and free collection when you're done.
Is it cheaper to hire or buy moving boxes?
For most moves, hiring is around 20% cheaper than buying. For example, the 2 bedroom hire package is $235.25 versus $267.75 to buy the same items. Buying only makes more sense if you need the boxes for longer than 3 months, or if you want to keep them long-term for storage.
Do I get my deposit back when I return the boxes?
Yes — the full deposit is refunded within 5 business days of collection, as long as boxes come back undamaged. Normal wear and tear from a standard move is fine. The deposit is $1.60 per medium box and $2.50 per large box.
What if I need more boxes than the package includes?
You can add individual items to any package at checkout, or use our free top-up delivery. If you run out mid-move, we'll deliver more with no extra delivery fee — as long as it's within 3 months of your original order.
How quickly can you deliver moving boxes?
We offer next-day delivery with your choice of 2-hour window between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. Same-day delivery may be possible — call us before 11am on 1300 858 446 to check availability in your area.