General Freight Across Australia
General freight is Quick Cargo's cost-effective, shared-network service for palletised freight moving anywhere in Australia, with transit typically 2–7 business days depending on destination. Melbourne–Brisbane is generally 2–3 business days. It's the value option for goods that don't need priority handling — your shipment shares truck space with other freight heading the same way, which keeps the rate down. We manage everything from pickup to delivery, including tracking and support, so you always know where your freight is.
Over 6,000 customers across Australia trust Quick Cargo for fast, reliable freight.
How It Works
We collect your freight during standard business hours and it enters the linehaul network. Your goods are consolidated with other shipments heading the same direction and moved between depots until they reach the destination city. From there, a local driver delivers to the final address.
Because you're sharing truck space rather than paying for priority handling, rates are significantly lower than express. Transit times are typically 2–7 business days depending on destination, with east coast routes at the faster end. Melbourne–Brisbane is generally 2–3 business days.
When to Choose General Freight
General freight is the right option when cost matters more than speed, you're shipping palletised goods that are well packaged, you're sending regular shipments and want consistent pricing, or you don't need priority handling. In Sydney metro, General is a same-day service with pickup and delivery during business hours. Everywhere else, transit is 2–7 business days depending on destination.
If your freight is urgent, fragile, bulky or awkward, or needs a specific vehicle on site, our express freight service gives you booked time slots, priority handling and the fastest route. For same-day delivery outside the General service window, see our same-day delivery service.
Vehicle Types for Pickup and Delivery
Even though your freight moves through our shared freight network, the local pickup and delivery can use specialised vehicles:
HIAB crane trucks — for self-loading and unloading heavy items where there's no forklift available.
Moffett forklifts — a truck-mounted forklift for deliveries to difficult sites — uneven ground, construction sites, or anywhere a standard forklift can't reach.
Tail lift trucks — a hydraulic lift gate for straightforward deliveries to locations without a loading dock, like shopfronts, offices, or residential addresses.
Select the vehicle type you need when you get your quote.
What You Can Ship
Pallets, crates, skids, machinery and equipment, building supplies, retail and warehouse stock, bulk orders — anything palletised or securely crated for the linehaul network. We handle single-pallet shipments through to multi-pallet consignments.
Freight should be palletised or securely crated — Quick Cargo specialises in palletised and commercial freight. If your load is loose, bulky or awkward, or needs special handling, express freight is the better option.
Coverage
General freight covers every major city and most regional areas across Australia — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, and everywhere in between.
Pricing
General freight is priced by weight, cubic volume, and distance. Get an instant quote by entering your pickup suburb, delivery suburb, and freight dimensions — pricing is live and transparent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is general freight? A cost-effective service where your shipment travels through our shared freight network alongside other goods. Pickup and delivery during standard business hours.
How long does general freight take? Typically 2–7 business days depending on destination. Melbourne–Brisbane is generally 2–3 business days.
Is my freight tracked on general? Yes. We manage your shipment end to end including real-time tracking and support.
What's the minimum shipment size? A single pallet. We handle everything from one pallet to multi-pallet consignments.
Can Quick Cargo move parcels or smaller items? Our focus is palletised and commercial freight, but we can arrange smaller consignments too — just mention it when you get a quote.
Can I get same-day general freight? Yes, within Sydney metro when you book before the cut-off. For other capitals, same-day is available through Quick Cargo's express freight service.
Get an instant quote — enter your freight details and see your price in seconds.
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