Truck & machinery auctions in Australia
Auctions are where a lot of the value is, and where most of the mistakes happen. Here's where the live sales are, what to check before you bid, and how to have your finance approved so a 48-hour settlement isn't a problem.
Live auctions
We link you straight into each auction house's current truck and machinery catalogue. Lots change by the minute, so these go to the live source rather than a copy that could be out of date.
Pickles
LiveAustralia’s largest industrial auctioneer. Weekly truck, trailer and earthmoving sales across every state, plus salvage and ex-government fleet.
Grays
LiveOnline industrial and transport auctions, often ex-corporate and insolvency stock. Strong in earthmoving attachments and workshop plant.
Manheim
LiveCommercial vehicle and truck auctions, including damaged and statutory write-off stock. Part of Cox Automotive.
Slattery Auctions
LiveAustralian-owned, heavy on construction, earthmoving and transport. Regular on-site clearing sales as well as online.
Ritchie Bros
LiveGlobal unreserved auctions with an Australian yard. Worth watching for late-model earthmoving and mining support equipment.
Lloyds Auctions
LiveMixed industrial and transport catalogues, plus agricultural clearing sales and ex-council plant.
Machinery Action Group
LiveQueensland-based machinery auctions and dealer sales out of Kingaroy, with earthmoving, agricultural and transport plant in the same catalogues.
Smith Broughton Auctioneers
LiveWestern Australia’s long-standing industrial auctioneer, out of Perth with yards at Midland, Muchea and in the Pilbara. Mining, construction, transport and agricultural plant, and every sale runs online as a timed auction.
Benabilla Auctions
LiveOnline-only truck and equipment auctions run Australia-wide, covering prime movers, trailers, vans and utes alongside earthmoving and farm machinery.
AuctionsNOW
LiveA Victorian online bidding platform out of Euroa, running clearing sales and timed auctions daily. Farm machinery and trucks sit alongside hay, grain and general chattels, so the catalogues are broader than a plant auction.
Auction First
LiveCentral Queensland machinery and equipment auctions out of Rockhampton, run monthly and online in partnership with NASCO Ag & Industrial. Single items, whole fleets and clearing sales.
Find Equipment Sales is not an auctioneer and is not affiliated with any auction house listed here. We don't run sales, take bids or hold stock — these are outbound links to their own catalogues. Terms, buyer's premiums and settlement conditions are set by each auctioneer.
Five things to check before you bid
Auction buying rewards preparation and punishes optimism. This is the short version of what separates a bargain from an expensive lesson.
The hammer price is not the price
Add the buyer’s premium (commonly 3–8%), GST if it applies, any documentation or transfer fee, and transport. On a $120,000 excavator that can be $15,000 before it reaches your yard.
Most auction stock is sold as-is
No warranty, no statutory cooling-off, and usually no test under load. Budget for an inspection or a pre-purchase report, and assume you are buying the machine you can see rather than the one described.
Check the PPSR yourself
A machine can carry a security interest from a previous owner’s finance. A PPSR search costs a few dollars and is the difference between owning it and having it repossessed. Do it before you bid, not after.
Hours and kilometres are as-stated
Auction catalogues report what the seller declared. Nobody has verified it. Compare against service records if they come with the lot.
Settlement is fast
Payment is typically due within 24–48 hours, and storage fees start quickly after that. This is the single biggest reason auction buyers get caught out.
Auction or dealer?
| Auction | Dealer | |
| Price | Often lower | Higher, negotiable |
| Condition | As-is, unverified | Usually prepared and serviced |
| Warranty | Rarely any | Often available |
| Inspection | Limited window, no test under load | Arrange any time |
| Settlement | 24–48 hours | Flexible |
| Finance | Must be pre-approved | Can be arranged during the sale |
| Trade-in | No | Usually yes |
Neither is better. Auctions suit buyers who know the machine, can inspect properly and have funds ready. Dealers suit buyers who want recourse if something goes wrong.
Browse dealer stock instead