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AS 4084 in plain English: the pallet racking standard
AS 4084 is the Australian Standard for steel storage racking. Here is what it is for, what regulators say about inspections, and the questions to ask. We are not engineers or lawyers: this is a plain-language summary of public pages.
What is AS 4084?
AS 4084 is the Australian Standard series for steel storage racking. The 2023 edition has two parts that matter to most warehouse owners:
- AS 4084.1:2023: how racking is designed.
- AS 4084.2:2023: how racking is operated and maintained, which includes inspection (Standards Australia, store listing; the Standard itself is a paid document).
What do regulators say about inspections?
- SafeWork NSW and WorkSafe Victoria say racking should have a formal inspection by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 12 months, plus regular informal checks in between (SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Victoria).
- WorkSafe Victoria also says an elevating work platform is needed to inspect upper levels of racking over 8 m high, and that the inspection report should be written (WorkSafe Victoria).
- For Queensland we found only an older guidance note copy dated 2012 (WorkSafe guidance note (public-record copy, 2012)), so please check the current WorkSafe Queensland material. Other states and territories have their own regulators.
Not legal advice. Your obligations depend on your state, your site and your role. Check your regulator and ask a qualified person.
What this means when buying racking
- Ask whether the design is to AS 4084.1:2023 and who signs it off.
- Ask for safe-load signs and a handover pack with beam and frame capacities.
- Do not mix components from different systems without written confirmation of compatibility.
- Repair or replace damaged uprights and beams as advised by a competent person. Do not weld or bend damaged racking yourself.
- Plan for a formal inspection each year (Inspection cost shows what it costs).
Where do I find the Standard?
Standards Australia sells it through its store (Standards Australia). Your supplier or engineer should have access.
Estimate your rangeHow to compare quotes
Want the practical version? See the AS 4084 inspection checklist.
Related guides
- Inspection checklistWhat regulators say to look for, in plain English.
- Inspection costTypical annual inspection prices and what you get.
- Compare quotesA checklist to line quotes up like for like.
- Installation costLabour-only prices, add-ons and what to ask for.
Prices vary, get quotes. Every range on this page comes from public pages we read in Nov 2026 and links to its source. They are indicative, not quotes, and not advice. See regulator and standards sources.