Vertical lift module cost in Australia starts at around $121,000 AUD for a new machine, with installation from approximately $19,300. Larger and more complex vertical storage projects can cost $150,000–$400,000 or more.
The final price depends on machine height, tray configuration, payload, software, integration and your site. This guide explains each of those factors, what to budget for beyond the machine, how new and used VLMs compare, how VLMs compare with vertical carousels, and what to send a supplier for an accurate quote.
All figures are indicative Australian prices in AUD ex GST. They are not converted US prices.
What is a VLM? A Vertical Lift Module (VLM) is an enclosed automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS). Trays sit in two vertical columns. An automated extractor between them brings the right tray to the operator. This is called goods-to-person picking: staff stop walking aisles to find stock, and the system uses height instead of floor space. This guide covers industrial warehouse VLMs, not residential home lifts or elevators.
A new VLM in Australia starts at approximately $121,000 AUD ex GST, according to Modula APAC. That is a starting price, not a typical final project price. Australian automation specialist ELF Automation places broader vertical storage systems at around $150,000–$400,000, depending on size and complexity.
Indicative Australian pricing, reviewed September 2026 (AUD ex GST)
| VLM type | Indicative price | New/used | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | From ~AUD $121,000 | New | Starting price; configuration dependent |
| Mid-range | Quote required | New | Depends on height, trays, payload, software and configuration |
| Large/high-capacity | Quote required | New | Larger, more complex systems can reach the broader $150,000–$400,000+ project range |
| Used/refurbished | Quote required | Used | No reliable Australian used-VLM benchmark has been published |
Mid-range and large machines need a quote because the vertical lift module cost depends heavily on configuration. VLM pricing also changes with supplier availability, installation requirements and project complexity. Treat these figures as indicative budgeting ranges, not fixed prices. Pricing should be reviewed regularly, ideally every quarter.
A small VLM for simple storage is not comparable with a tall, high-capacity machine with advanced software, two pick bays and ERP integration. Two quotes can both say “VLM” and describe very different machines. Before comparing any vertical lift module cost, check exactly what each supplier has specified and included.
VCA insight (verify before publishing): [Insert one first-hand observation from VCA’s installation or servicing work. For example, the most common reason two VLM quotes differ, or the site issue buyers most often overlook. Publish only if VCA can substantiate it.]
For preliminary budgeting, build your vertical lift module cost in layers rather than as one number:
More complex projects can move into the $150,000–$400,000+ range. Confirm the exact allowance with a site-specific quote.
What may not be included in the headline VLM price?
Depending on the supplier, the headline machine price may not include:
Always compare itemised quotes, not equipment prices alone.
Space costs shape the business case. SmartLogitecX reports Australian industrial vacancy near a record low of about 2.8%. ELF Automation reports Western Sydney industrial rents of around $125/m², and up to $180/m² in inner-ring areas. The higher your space costs, the more a VLM’s small footprint matters.
Australian industry sources report payback periods ranging from several months to a few years, depending on the application. One source places some VLM installations at around 6–18 months, but actual payback depends heavily on your labour, floor-space and throughput economics. Read more about improving warehouse space utilisation.
A VLM’s purchase price is driven mainly by five specifications: height and tray count, tray size and payload, pick-bay setup, software, and accessories. These are the main reasons two similar-looking quotes can differ.
Taller VLMs hold more stock on the same footprint. They also need more trays, more structure and more installation work, which raises the price.
Taller is not always better. The right height depends on your clear ceiling height, the goods you store, the capacity you actually need, access, fire and safety requirements, and installation constraints. The number and configuration of trays also changes the overall specification.
Tray size and load rating decide what you can store. Wider, deeper or heavier-rated trays suit bulky or heavy items, but they increase the machine specification and price.
Tray payload and specific load capacity are not the same thing:
A tray may have a high overall payload but still have limits on how that load can be spread across its surface. Check both figures against your heaviest, densest items.
A pick bay is where the tray is presented to the operator. With dual bays, the machine can prepare the next tray while the operator picks from the current one, which can lift throughput. Dual bays also add to the vertical lift module cost, so they are not automatically the right choice.
Base the decision on required throughput, picking patterns, number of operators, peak periods and how quickly your SKUs move. Real throughput also depends on software logic, such as storing fast-moving items in the most accessible trays.
Software can become a meaningful part of the vertical lift module cost. Depending on your needs, it may cover inventory management, warehouse management system (WMS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) connectivity, user permissions, item tracking and picking workflows.
As international context only, US manufacturer White Systems cites software and integration costs of about US$5,000 to US$100,000+, depending on integration depth. This is not Australian pricing. Ask suppliers to price software as a separate line item.
Accessories raise the system price but can improve usability and picking speed. Common options include light pointers that show the exact pick location, tilt trays that angle towards the operator, access control to restrict who can retrieve certain stock, and other picking aids. Choose extras that solve a real problem in your operation.
VLM installation in Australia starts from approximately $19,300 AUD. The Modula APAC figure covers unit installation, software setup, integration and basic training. Site conditions can push installation costs higher, so it will not apply to every project.
Your installed vertical lift module cost may also include:
A slab that needs strengthening can add noticeably to the project, so ask for a site assessment early.
How long does installation take? Modula APAC reports that a VLM can be installed in around two days, because it ships in modular sections. Allow extra time for site preparation, software configuration and training.
Hidden costs. Kardex research highlights costs buyers often forget: temporary storage while old shelving is removed, labour to move inventory into the new machine, waste removal, and downtime during installation. Add them to your budget now so they don’t surprise you later.
The lifetime vertical lift module cost includes maintenance, parts, software and energy. Budget for these separately from the purchase price.
Maintenance. Preventative maintenance helps reduce unexpected downtime. Ask what a service contract covers and whether emergency support is included.
Parts. Older systems may need replacement components as they age. Check spare-parts availability in Australia.
Software. Some systems carry licence, update or support costs, depending on the supplier and functionality.
Energy. Energy use varies by configuration. SmartLogitecX gives an Australian example of two configurations rated at about 11 kW and 14 kW. Ask suppliers about running requirements rather than assuming every VLM uses the same power.
A used or refurbished VLM can reduce upfront spend, but no reliable Australian used-VLM price benchmark has been published. Used VLM pricing depends on the model, age, condition, configuration, availability, refurbishment, safety compliance, transport, installation, software and controls, and warranty. Published used vertical carousel prices are not a reliable guide to used-VLM prices.
| Factor | New VLM | Used/refurbished VLM |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Generally higher | Potentially lower |
| Configuration | Greater ability to specify | Limited by available equipment |
| Equipment age | New | Varies |
| Warranty | Supplier dependent | Supplier/refurbisher dependent |
| Safety upgrades | New specification | May be required |
| Lead time | Depends on manufacture/availability | May be faster if equipment is available |
| Software | Specified around current needs | May need upgrades or integration work |
| Risk | More predictable specification | Condition and history need checking |
What to check when buying a refurbished VLM
VCA supplies both new and refurbished systems. Our refurbished units are safety compliant and backed by a 6–12 month warranty. Our upgrade work includes safety upgrades, PLC replacements and structural refurbishment. Stock changes, so browse our used and refurbished automated storage systems or ask for a current quote.
A new vertical carousel can cost less than a new VLM, but the indicative ranges overlap. These are Modula APAC figures:
| Vertical carousel | Vertical lift module | |
|---|---|---|
| New (indicative) | ~AUD $96,500–$129,000 | From ~AUD $121,000 |
| Used (indicative) | ~AUD $48,000–$64,000 | Quote required |
| Installation from | ~AUD $16,000 | ~AUD $19,300 |
| Max load per tray/carrier | ~635 kg | ~998 kg |
These are indicative figures, not like-for-like quotes. Maximum load is only one specification. The right system also depends on item dimensions, load distribution, throughput and storage density.
A carousel rotates shelves like a Ferris wheel. A VLM uses an extractor to fetch trays from two columns. Match the technology to your height, load, SKU mix, throughput, floor space, picking pattern and integration needs first. Then compare the vertical lift module cost with carousel pricing. See our vertical carousel cost guide, or our overview of automated storage and retrieval systems.
To get an accurate vertical lift module cost, send the supplier details about your space, stock, picking volumes and software:
The more information you provide upfront, the easier it is for a supplier to recommend the correct VLM configuration and provide a meaningful project estimate.
How to compare two VLM quotes
Ask each supplier to confirm:
If one quote is much lower, check which of these items it leaves out. When you’re ready, request a VLM quote.
The pricing figures in this guide are based on publicly available Australian/APAC industry pricing and supplier information reviewed in September 2026. They are intended for preliminary budgeting only and are not supplier quotations. Confirm pricing against your required machine configuration, site conditions and integration needs.
Sources: Modula APAC (vertical carousel vs VLM comparison), ELF Automation (Australian space costs and vertical storage pricing), SmartLogitecX (Australian market and technical buying factors), Kardex (installation hidden costs) and White Systems (international software cost benchmark).
Send VCA your available floor space, clear ceiling height, stored-item dimensions and weights, picking volumes and any ERP/WMS requirements. The more detail you provide, the more accurately we can assess the right system and the total project cost.
Request a VLM quote, call 0477 577 050 or email [email protected].
