Key takeaways
Car licence (4.5t GVM): new tray trucks with a factory alloy tray are advertised at about $66,000 to $85,000 drive-away. Hybrid versions sit above $100,000.
Light rigid and dual-rated (up to 8t GVM): expect around $100,000 drive-away for a popular model like the Isuzu NPR Tradepack.
Used: a 2020 car-licence Isuzu NPR tray with about 135,000km is advertised at $50,000 to $63,000, roughly half the price of its new equivalent.
Tax: a tray truck is well over the $20,000 instant asset write-off limit, so small businesses usually depreciate it through the small business pool (15% in year one, then 30%).
Prices below are from Australian dealer listings and manufacturer list prices checked in September and October 2026. Truck pricing changes with stock levels and state charges, so treat them as a guide for budgeting and quote comparison, not a fixed price.
How much does a new tray truck cost in Australia?
A new car-licence tray truck costs about $66,000 to $85,000 drive-away, and the price rises with GVM, engine size and tray spec.
Truck class | Licence | Example models | Typical 2026 price |
|---|---|---|---|
Light, 4.5t GVM | Car (C) | Fuso Canter 515, Hino 300 616, Isuzu NLR 45-150 Traypack | $66,000 to $85,000 drive-away |
Light hybrid, 4.5t GVM | Car (C) | Hino 300 616 Hybrid | About $103,500 drive-away |
Dual-rated or light rigid, 4.5t to 8t GVM | Car or LR, depending on rating | Isuzu NPR 45/65-175 or NPR 70/45-190 Tradepack | About $100,000 drive-away |
Medium rigid, 11t GVM | MR | Isuzu FRR 110-240 | Cab chassis from about $107,000 list, before tray and on-roads |
Some real examples from current listings:
A Fuso Canter 515 with a ready-built alloy tray is advertised between $67,999 and $85,000 drive-away, depending on cab width and tray length.
A Hino 300 616 automatic with a 4.5m alloy tray is listed at $84,990 drive-away in Queensland.
An Isuzu NLR 45-150 Traypack is listed at $76,990 drive-away in WA, and an NPR 45/65-175 Tradepack at $101,900.
If you need a longer tray or heavier loads than a 4.5t truck can legally carry, the jump to medium duty is large. An 11-tonne Isuzu FRR cab chassis lists from about $107,000 before a body is fitted, so get the tray, fitting and certification quoted as separate line items.
Why are tray trucks dearer than a few years ago?
The main reason is the Euro 6 emissions rule (ADR 80/04), which became mandatory for all new trucks over 3.5t GVM supplied from 1 November 2025. The federal government estimated the extra technology adds 3% to 5%, or $4,000 to $6,000, to the cost of supplying a new truck.
There is a running-cost upside. Manufacturers told the government their Euro 6 engines are up to 10% more fuel-efficient than Euro 5 models. Most also use AdBlue, so budget for refills.
Manufacturers used the change to refresh their ranges. New 2026 light trucks typically come with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and a reversing camera as standard, which older stock may lack.
What is included in a drive-away price, and what isn't?
A drive-away price should include the truck, the tray, stamp duty, 12 months' registration and CTP, and dealer delivery. A list or "plus on-roads" price excludes the government charges, and manufacturer list prices often exclude the body too.
Costs that commonly change the final figure:
Stamp duty: varies by state and vehicle value. In NSW, vehicles valued above $45,000 are generally charged $1,350 plus $5 per $100 above $45,000. For an $80,000 truck, that works out to about $3,100 in duty.
Registration: trucks above 4.5t GVM are registered as heavy vehicles, with different charges. Ask for 12 months' rego to be quoted for your state.
Fit-out: dropsides, ladder racks, toolboxes, a towbar and a bullbar. Some factory tray packs include these; custom builds often don't.
Finance fees: one Sydney dealer's finance example lists a $490 documentation fee and a $990 origination fee on top of the truck price.
Ask every supplier for a drive-away figure in your state on the same spec. It is the only number you can compare fairly.
How much does a used tray truck cost?
A five-to-six-year-old car-licence tray truck typically costs $50,000 to $63,000. Two 2020 Isuzu NPR 45-155 tray trucks with about 134,000 to 138,000km are advertised at $49,990 and $53,500, and a 2020 example with an alloy trade tray, racks and toolboxes at $62,500.
That is roughly half the price of a new NPR Tradepack. The trade-offs are an older Euro 5 engine, no factory warranty in most cases, and fewer active safety features.
Before you pay for a used tray truck:
Run a PPSR search at ppsr.gov.au for $2. It shows whether finance is owing, and whether the vehicle is recorded as written off or stolen.
Check the compliance and GVM plates match the registration, especially on dual-rated trucks.
Ask for the service history and when the next major service is due.
Inspect the tray: floor, hinges, dropsides and mounts. A bent or cracked floor often means it was overloaded.
Weigh it if payload matters. A heavy aftermarket tray or toolboxes can leave much less payload than the brochure figure.
Should you buy new or used?
Buy used if your loads are light, your kilometres are low and cash flow matters more than downtime. Buy new if the truck earns money every day, because warranty, current safety tech and predictable servicing reduce the cost of a breakdown.
Factor | New | Used (around 5 years old) |
|---|---|---|
Typical car-licence price | $66,000 to $85,000 drive-away | $50,000 to $63,000 |
Factory warranty | 5 to 6 years on current light trucks | Usually expired or close to it |
Emissions | Euro 6, AdBlue | Mostly Euro 5 |
Availability | Factory tray packs often in stock; custom bodies take longer | Immediate, but spec is whatever is listed |
How do tax and finance affect the real cost?
A tray truck costs too much for the $20,000 instant asset write-off, which applies per asset for small businesses with turnover under $10 million. Assets of $20,000 or more go into the small business pool, depreciated at 15% in the first year and 30% each year after.
Most businesses finance a truck with a chattel mortgage or lease, often with a balloon. For example, one dealer advertises a $70,155 Canter at $1,253 a month over 60 months with a $21,491 balloon at the end. A balloon lowers repayments but leaves a large final payment, so plan for it.
If you want to compare finance as well as trucks, EasyAsset Finance works with 60+ lenders and offers same-day approval. Confirm tax treatment with your accountant before you choose between cash and finance.
How to get an accurate tray truck quote
Send every supplier the same brief, so the quotes line up:
The licence your drivers hold, and whether you want a car-licence or light rigid GVM rating
Your heaviest regular load and the longest item you carry
Tray length, width, material and dropside height
Towing needs, if any
A request for drive-away pricing in your state, the build or delivery lead time, and the weighbridge tare of the finished truck
You can compare quotes from Australian tray truck suppliers on IndustrySearch by sending one set of requirements to several suppliers at once.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a 4.5 tonne tray truck?
New, about $66,000 to $85,000 drive-away for a diesel with a factory alloy tray. Hybrid models cost over $100,000.
Is it cheaper to buy a cab chassis and fit my own tray?
Sometimes, if you need a non-standard length or a steel tray. Factory tray packs are priced as a package, are often in stock and are usually covered by the factory warranty, so get both options quoted.
How long does a new tray truck take to arrive?
Factory tray packs are often available from stock. A custom aluminium tray can be quick to build, while a steel tray can take several weeks.
Do advertised truck prices include GST?
Most dealer advertised prices include GST. Check whether the price is drive-away or excludes on-road costs.
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