Housing affordability is a real issue in Australia. The price of homes just keeps on climbing, leading many people to look at alternative and often less traditional dwellings. The shipping…
Intermodal Shipping Containers
Compact, cost-effective, strong and adaptable, intermodal containers, AKA shipping containers, are so much more than a way to transport goods.
Get A QuoteNew & Used Options Available
Features + specs
Compact, tough and customisable
Intermodal container dimensions
Intermodal container durability
- Waterproof and weatherproof steel construction.
- Choose any container grade – new, used, as-is – from vetted suppliers.
Intermodal container extras
- Order your container with ventilation, lockboxes or secure floors.
- Our modification partners can customise your container your way.
Use Cases
What can intermodal shipping containers be used for?
1. Shipping and transport
Why:
The global standard for transporting goods by sea, rail and road, built to minimise handling and optimise drayage.
Customisation:
Add a lockbox to turn the container into secure storage once it arrives on your property or site.
2. Personal and commercial storage
Why:
A strong, secure and portable space for storing valuables on construction sites, farms and residential properties.
Customisation:
Can be used as a temporary site office by adding ventilation, insulation and windows.
3. Workshops and studios
Why:
An affordable art studio, mobile workstation or space for your DIY projects.
Customisation:
Make the space more comfortable and usable with electrical fit-outs, lighting and shelving.
4. Tiny homes and granny flats
Why:
An ideal basis for a modular living space, particularly in rural and off-grid areas.
Customisation:
Add insulation, windows, plumbing and solar to create a livable, comfortable space.
5. Retail and pop-up shops
Why:
A low-cost way to create usable floorspace for cafes, retailers, boutiques and event stalls.
Customisation:
Brand the container and easily transport it to events, markets or a permanent commercial site.
New or used
New vs used: which container is right for you?
3,000+ Satisfied Clients
best for business
New intermodal container
Single-trip containers in as-new condition.
Ideal for long-term use or prominent, high visibility locations.
Available in multiple colours and fully customisable.
Can be supplied complete with factory lockbox and vents.
Budget pick
Used intermodal container
Choose your rating: As-is/project-grade, Wind & watertight (WWT) or CSC-plated/cargo-worthy.
Ideal for budget storage and remote/low visibility sites.
May have cosmetic wear and (protective) external rust.
Limited colours, but cost-effective and fully customisable.
3,000+ Satisfied Clients
What is an intermodal container?
The global standard for transporting goods
Intermodal containers – aka shipping containers, sea containers and freight containers – are the primary means of transport for goods across the globe, whether by sea, rail or road. There’s no need to unload and reload cargo when switching between transport modes, hence the term ‘intermodal’. Internationally standardised, they come in a few different sizes: 20ft and 40ft are the most common, but 8ft, 10ft and 48ft variations are available too.
Strong, secure, portable, weatherproof and easily customisable, intermodal containers can be used for so much more than transport. They’re perfect as storage on construction sites, commercial premises or residential properties. They can even be converted into garages, offices, workshops or places to live.
Why choose an intermodal container?
- Strong and protective: Built from corten steel with a weather-resistant, sealed construction, plus optional lockboxes and vents
- Easy to modify: Add insulation, windows, doors, plumbing and electrical to turn it into a living/working space.
- Available across Australia: Connect with vetted local suppliers across the country, and get an intermodal container delivered to your door.
- Great for tight spaces: Place your container in a driveway, on a construction site, or outside your commercial premises.
Got questions? Let’s chat.
Hello! I’m Sophie – Container Specialist, how can I help you?
We’re here to make container buying simple.
Talk to a real expert, get advice, and find your ideal container – fast.
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FAQs
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers
All you need to know about intermodal containers.
01
Standard intermodal containers share a uniform width (2.44m) and height (2.59m), which makes them easily stackable and transportable. In terms of length, 20ft (6.06m) and 40ft (12.19m) containers are by far the most common, but standard 10ft containers are also available. Then there are a number of special container sizes, including 8ft, 48ft, high cube, and wide pallet.
02
40ft intermodal containers are the most common, representing around two-thirds of all containers used for transport worldwide. But in terms of non-transport applications, 20ft containers are just as popular as 40ft, if not more, thanks to their more compact footprint, which allows them to fit in more spaces.
03
As an independent container platform, at shipping-containers.com.au we focus on what really matters: helping you to understand the right intermodal container for your situation, and connecting you with quality, trusted, local suppliers who will deliver the container you need, when you need it, at the right price. Whether you’re looking for a used intermodal container for a building site, or a new unit as the basis for a tiny home, we make the process simple, straightforward, quick and cost-effective.
04
As the name suggests, intermodal containers can be transported on sea, rail and road. This means they can be delivered to almost anywhere in Australia. And by accessing our sprawling network of local container suppliers, your ideal container can arrive in quick time.
05
As a container platform, we connect you with vetted local suppliers. Some exclusively sell containers, others also offer leasing and rental services. Renting can make sense for short-term use, while purchasing may be more suitable for longer-term or customised projects. Because pricing and availability vary by region and supplier, we recommend submitting your requirements to receive options tailored to your situation.