Welcome to the Smart Storage AU Frequently Asked Questions page.
We're a family-owned Australian business helping busy families, renovators and businesses create more organised homes, garages, sheds and outdoor spaces. Since launching in March 2025, we've helped thousands of Australians find practical storage solutions that make everyday life simpler.
Browse the categories below to find answers about our products, delivery, assembly, warranties, returns and more. If you can't find what you're looking for, our friendly team is only a click away via our Contact Us page
About SmartStorage.au
Who is SmartStorage.au?
SmartStorage.au is an Australian family-run online storage retailer based in Mount Martha, Victoria. We launched in March 2025 with one goal: to help Australian families find genuinely good storage solutions - garden sheds, garage shelving, outdoor storage boxes, and home organisation products - without the big-box-store runaround. Everything we sell is hand-picked by our family team, and when you contact us, you speak to us directly, not a call centre.
Why should I buy from SmartStorage.au instead of a big retail store?
Three honest reasons. First, we specialise - storage is all we do, so our range and advice is more focused than a store that sells everything from cement to curtains. Second, as an online-only business we have lower overheads, which means more competitive pricing on the same or better products. Third, when something goes wrong (and occasionally it does), you're dealing with a family who genuinely cares about getting it right, not a ticketing system.
Where are you based?
We're based in Mount Martha on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria (Office only). We're an online-only business - no physical showroom - which lets us offer free Australia-wide delivery and a wider product range than a bricks-and-mortar store could carry.
Our ABN is 65 425 989 355.
How long have you been in business?
We launched SmartStorage.au in March 2025. We're a young business, and we're proud of that - it means every review, every customer, and every product on the site has been earned since day one. We've helped over 2,000 Australian families with their storage needs in our first year, and we're just getting started.
Do you have a physical store I can visit?
No - we're online only. This is a deliberate choice: it lets us pass savings directly to customers (no rent, no retail markup), keep our range wider than any single store could stock, and deliver straight to your door anywhere in Australia. If you'd like to talk through a product before buying, contact us and we'll help over email or phone.
Ordering & Payments
How do I place an order?
Browse our collections, add items to your cart, then proceed to checkout. You'll enter your delivery address, choose your payment method, and receive an instant confirmation email once your order is placed. The whole process takes about 3 minutes. If you'd prefer to talk through an order first, contact us and we'll help.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, and Union Pay. PayPal also offers interest-free instalment payments for eligible orders, so you can spread the cost without paying extra.
All payments are processed through Shopify's secure, encrypted systems to protect your personal information.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes - PayPal Pay-in-4 Instalments lets you split eligible orders into interest-free payments. You'll see the PayPal express instalment option at checkout if your order qualifies. There's no application, no credit check, and no interest. It's built directly into our checkout and takes you straight to your PayPal account to utilise.
Can I change or cancel my order after placing it?
We process orders quickly, so contact us at info@smartstorage.au as soon as possible if you need to change or cancel. If your order hasn't been dispatched yet, we'll do our best to accommodate the change. Once it's shipped, we can't intercept it - but our 30-day return policy still applies once it arrives.
Shipping & Delivery
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is free on all orders over $50 Australia-wide. For orders under $50, a flat $9.95 shipping fee applies. Free shipping is automatically applied at checkout once your cart reaches $50 - no code needed. The vast majority of our products are well over $50, so most customers pay nothing for delivery.
We do on occasions ship to NZ - but at present with fuel / courier prices it is on a case-by-case basis.
How long does delivery take?
Standard delivery takes 3–8 business days to most Australian locations. Metro areas (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide) are typically at the faster end of that range. Regional and remote areas may take longer. We'll send you a tracking number as soon as your order ships so you can follow it in real time.
Delivery times may vary during peak seasons or public holidays which we can't avoid.
Do you deliver to regional and rural Australia?
Yes - we deliver Australia-wide including regional and rural areas. Delivery times to remote locations may extend beyond our standard 3–8 business days. A small number of extremely remote addresses may not be serviceable; if you're unsure, contact us with your postcode and we'll confirm before you order.
Do you ship to New Zealand?
Yes, we ship selected products to New Zealand. International shipping rates and timeframes apply. Not all products in our range are available for NZ delivery - contact us to confirm availability for your specific item before ordering.
We will always try our best to accommodate.
Can I track my delivery?
Yes. Once your order ships, you'll receive an email with a tracking number and a link to track your parcel in real time. You can also track your order anytime using our order tracking page. If you have trouble tracking your order, contact us and we'll chase it up with the carrier directly.
Returns & Warranty
What is your return policy?
We offer a 30-day return policy on all orders. If you're not satisfied with your purchase, contact us within 30 days of delivery at info@smartstorage.au. Items must be unused, in original condition, and in original packaging. Once we receive the return, we'll process your refund promptly. Return shipping costs apply unless the item is faulty or incorrectly sent.
What if my order arrives damaged or faulty?
Contact us within 7 days of delivery with photos of the damage sent to info@smartstorage.au. We'll arrange a replacement or full refund, and we cover return shipping costs for any item that arrives damaged or faulty. We take this seriously - damaged deliveries are rare, but when they happen we fix them fast.
What warranty do your products come with?
Most products sold on SmartStorage.au include a minimum 12-month manufacturer's warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. Many products carry longer warranties - shed frames, for example, often carry 10–15 year structural warranties from the manufacturer.
Warranty details are listed on each individual product page. Contact us if you need to make a warranty claim and we'll coordinate directly with the supplier.
Garden Sheds
What size garden shed do I need?
For garden tools and a push mower, a 2m × 1.5m shed is the minimum. Add bikes or a workbench and go to at least 2.5m × 2m.
For a full workshop or ride-on mower storage, choose 3m × 3m or larger. A practical rule: list everything you plan to store, measure it, then add 30% for future growth. Our free Shed Selector Tool gives you a personalised recommendation in under 2 minutes.
Do your garden sheds come with a floor?
No - steel garden sheds are sold without a floor. All sheds need to be installed on a firm, level base. A concrete slab is the most durable and recommended option.
Compacted pavers or treated timber bearers are acceptable for smaller sheds. The base must be level - an uneven surface causes door misalignment and may void the manufacturer's warranty.
Do I need council approval for a garden shed in Australia?
In most Australian states, sheds under 10m² (roughly 3m × 3m) are exempt from council permits in standard residential zones. Larger sheds, or sheds near boundary lines or in heritage zones, may require development approval. Rules vary by council. Check with your local council before purchasing any shed over 3m × 3m or if your block has specific planning overlays.
Check our Council Approval Guide for assistance as well. (We update this annually).
How long does it take to assemble a garden shed?
Most small to medium steel garden sheds (up to 2m × 2.5m) take two adults a full day to assemble - roughly 6–8 hours including unpacking and laying out parts. Larger sheds (3m × 3m and above) typically take a weekend with two people. All our sheds come as DIY flat-pack kits with illustrated step-by-step instructions. Base preparation is a separate task - factor in extra time if you're laying a concrete slab.
NOTE: Most manufacturer instruction manuals will over promise how quickly it takes to install a shed. Always allow more time than stated.
Are your garden sheds suitable for coastal areas?
Our galvanised and powder-coated steel sheds are designed for Australian conditions including coastal environments. For properties within 1km of the ocean, we recommend looking specifically at sheds with a Zincalume or Colorbond-grade coating rather than standard painted steel, and inspecting the shed annually for any early signs of surface corrosion.
Our SpanBilt range is particularly well-suited to coastal Australian conditions. Contact us with your location and we'll recommend the most suitable option.
Can I add shelving inside a garden shed?
Yes - and we highly recommend it. A set of steel shelves inside your shed immediately doubles your usable storage space by using vertical height. Our garage shelving range includes compact units that fit neatly inside most garden sheds. Look for shelving 30–45cm deep to leave room to move around inside the shed.
Garage Shelving
How much weight can your garage shelving hold?
Our heavy-duty steel garage shelving units are rated from 150kg to 200kg per shelf, with a total unit capacity of up to 800kg. This is enough for toolboxes, power equipment, paint tins, car parts, and bulk storage across multiple shelves. Always distribute weight evenly across shelves, and anchor tall units to a wall stud for safety, especially if you have children.
What is boltless garage shelving?
Boltless shelving uses a clip-and-slot system - steel beams lock into upright poles without nuts, bolts, or power tools. Assembly typically takes an hour. Shelf heights are fully adjustable, so you can reconfigure the unit as your storage needs change without tools. All steel shelving in our garage range uses boltless construction.
What size garage shelving unit do I need?
Standard garage shelving units are 90cm–120cm wide, 40cm–60cm deep, and 180cm–240cm tall. Measure your garage wall space and ceiling height before ordering.
For a full garage wall, our 3-pack shelving bundles are the most cost-effective option.
For a single bay or workshop corner, a single 90cm unit is a good starting point. Browse our full shelving range here.
Outdoor Storage Boxes
What size outdoor storage box do I need?
For cushions and small outdoor accessories, a 290L–390L box is sufficient. Pool toys, garden tools, and sports equipment need 490L or more. For a full outdoor storage solution - cushions, gear, and kids' toys combined - our 680L bench-seat box is the most popular choice. Measure the space where the box will sit before ordering; most boxes are 120–145cm long.
Are outdoor storage boxes waterproof?
Our outdoor storage boxes are weatherproof and water-resistant with UV-stabilised lids designed to withstand Australian sun without cracking, fading, or warping. They keep contents dry in rain and protected from heat. They are not designed to be fully submerged. Keep the lid closed during heavy rain and avoid placing boxes in areas that collect standing water.
Can outdoor storage boxes be left outside permanently?
Yes - they're designed for permanent outdoor installation. UV-stabilised resin and weatherproof locking lids mean they can stay outside year-round in all Australian climates. For coastal locations, rinse the lid and locking mechanism with fresh water occasionally to prevent salt build-up.
Most of our storage boxes also double as bench seating, making them a practical permanent fixture on a deck or patio.
Getting Help
How do I contact SmartStorage.au?
Email us at info@smartstorage.au or use the contact form on our website. We respond to all enquiries within 24 hours on business days.
You can also reach us through the live chat on our website during business hours (Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm AEST). We're a small family team - when you contact us, you speak to the people who actually run the store.
We do work on weekends, but that is mainly processing orders, so may be a little slower in responding.
Do you offer advice on which product is right for me?
Absolutely - it's one of our favourite parts of the job. Email or chat with us, tell us what you're trying to store and the space you're working with, and we'll give you an honest recommendation. We won't push you toward a more expensive product if a simpler one does the job.
You can also use our Shed Selector Tool for an instant personalised shed recommendation.
Do you offer bulk or trade pricing?
Yes. If you're a property manager, tradie, interior designer, or business buying multiple units, contact us at info@smartstorage.au with the products and quantities you need and we'll provide a custom quote. We work with trade customers regularly and appreciate the relationship that comes with repeat business.
Do you have gift cards?
Yes - digital gift cards are available in multiple denominations and never expire.
They're delivered by email and can be used across our entire product range at checkout. Perfect for housewarmings, birthdays, or anyone who'd rather choose their own storage solution. Browse gift cards here.
Ready to transform your home organisation? Browse our complete range of Australian-approved storage solutions with FREE shipping over $50 and our 30-day money-back guarantee