Cantilever Racking & Longspan Shelving: Upgrade Before 30 June and Claim Your EOFY Tax Write-Off

★  EOFY CAMPAIGN — ORDER BEFORE 30 JUNE

CH Racking's EOFY Instant Write-Off campaign is live. Cantilever racking and longspan shelving systems ordered and invoiced before 30 June 2026 may be eligible for Australia's instant asset write-off deduction. Speak to your accountant and contact our team today to lock in delivery before the financial year closes.

The end of the financial year is the most important buying window on the Australian business calendar — and for good reason. If your operation stores long goods, bulky materials, or mixed carton and case product, and you've been putting off the decision to upgrade your storage infrastructure, the EOFY instant asset write-off may be the financial incentive that makes the decision straightforward.

Cantilever racking and longspan shelving are two of the most versatile, high-impact storage investments available to Australian businesses — and both may qualify as eligible depreciating assets under the ATO's instant asset write-off provisions for the 2025–26 financial year.

This article explains what cantilever racking and longspan shelving are, who they're right for, what the specifications look like, and how the EOFY instant asset write-off works — so you can make a fully informed decision before 30 June.

What Is the Instant Asset Write-Off and How Does It Apply to Racking?

The instant asset write-off is an Australian Tax Office (ATO) provision that allows eligible businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of a qualifying depreciating asset — rather than depreciating it incrementally over its useful life. This means the full purchase price of your racking system can reduce your taxable income in the 2025–26 financial year, provided the asset is installed and ready for use, or invoiced, before 30 June 2026.

For businesses that have been planning a storage infrastructure upgrade, this effectively reduces the real cost of the investment by your applicable tax rate — creating a powerful financial case to act before the financial year closes.

Industrial racking systems — including cantilever racking, longspan shelving, and pallet racking — are classified as plant and equipment under Australian tax law and have historically qualified as eligible depreciating assets under instant asset write-off provisions. However, eligibility depends on your business's aggregated annual turnover, the purchase price of the asset, and the specific ATO rules in effect for the 2025–26 year.

★  IMPORTANT: Speak to your accountant

Tax eligibility is specific to your business circumstances. The information in this article is general in nature and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Always confirm eligibility with your registered tax agent or accountant before making a purchase decision based on tax provisions.

Key Questions to Ask Your Accountant

• Is my business eligible for the instant asset write-off for the 2025–26 financial year based on my turnover?

• Does the purchase price of the racking system fall within the eligible threshold?

• Does the asset need to be installed and in use, or invoiced, before 30 June?

• Can I claim the write-off on both the racking structure and the installation cost?

• Does the write-off apply to each individual bay as a separate asset, or to the full racking system as a single asset?

What Is Cantilever Racking? The Storage Solution for Long, Awkward & Oversized Goods

Cantilever racking is a structural steel storage system designed specifically for goods that cannot be stored on standard pallet racking — because they are too long, too wide, too irregular, or simply cannot be palletised without significant handling cost.

Unlike standard pallet racking, which uses horizontal beams between pairs of upright frames, cantilever racking replaces the front uprights entirely with a series of horizontal arms projecting from a central column. This creates an open, unobstructed storage face with no vertical column in the way — allowing long or irregular products to be loaded and unloaded from the side without obstruction.

Industries That Rely on Cantilever Racking in Australia

• Timber merchants, hardware retailers, and building materials suppliers

• Steel service centres and metal distributors

• Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC trade suppliers

• Furniture manufacturers and retailers

• Carpet, flooring, and soft furnishing warehouses

• PVC pipe, conduit, and cable drum storage

• Agricultural equipment and parts storage

• Automotive panel and windscreen storage

Single-Sided vs Double-Sided Cantilever Racking

Cantilever racking is available in two primary configurations:

Single-sided cantilever: Arms project from one side of the column only. Used against walls or where space is limited. Maximum storage on one face per column.

Double-sided cantilever: Arms project from both sides of the column. Used in open floor configurations to create aisles accessible from both sides. Doubles the storage capacity per column footprint.

Cantilever Racking Specifications: What to Know Before You Buy

Specification	Typical Range — Australian Market
Column height	Engineered solution for up to 10m high
Arm length	600mm to 2100mm
Arm load capacity	Capacity up to 1500kg
Column base centres	600mm to 2400mm
System type	Light duty, medium duty, heavy duty — rated by UDL per arm
Finish	Powder-coated (standard), hot-dip galvanised (outdoor / high-humidity)
Configuration	Single-sided or double-sided
Bracing	Horizontal and diagonal cross bracing between columns — mandatory for stability
Floor anchoring	Anchor bolts to concrete slab — specified by structural engineer

How to Calculate the Correct Arm Length for Your Product

Arm length should be matched to the depth of the product being stored, with a 100–150 mm clearance overhang at the front of the arm. As a rule of thumb:

• For 2400mm timber lengths stored vertically across arms: 3 arms at 1200mm centres is a common configuration

• For 6000mm steel lengths: minimum 4 arms per storage level to prevent excessive deflection

• For PVC pipe and conduit bundles: arm length matched to bundle diameter plus 150mm clearance

If you are unsure about arm configuration for your specific product, CH Racking's team can specify the correct setup based on your product dimensions and load requirements.

Outdoor & Exposed Cantilever Racking

Many Australian timber yards, building suppliers, and agricultural operations require cantilever racking installed outdoors or in partially exposed structures. In these environments, hot-dip galvanised components — rather than standard powder-coated steel — are strongly recommended to resist the accelerated corrosion caused by rain, humidity, and UV exposure. CH Racking supplies galvanised cantilever racking systems rated for outdoor installation.

What Is Longspan Shelving? The Versatile Mid-Weight Storage Solution

Longspan shelving occupies the space between light-duty industrial shelving and full pallet racking — and it's one of the most underutilised storage systems in Australian warehouses and retail backrooms.

Designed to carry medium-weight loads — typically between 150kg and 800kg per shelf level — longspan shelving suits operations that handle cartons, totes, oversize retail stock, automotive parts, electronic components, and other goods that are too heavy for standard shelving but don't justify the cost or structural requirement of full pallet racking.

The defining feature of longspan shelving is its bay width. Where standard boltless shelving typically spans 900mm to 1200mm, longspan shelving spans from 900mm to 2400mm — reducing the number of uprights needed across a given storage run and accommodating long or oversize items that won’t fit on narrower shelf bays.

Who Uses Longspan Shelving in Australia?

• Automotive parts warehouses and trade stores

• Hardware retail backrooms and trade counters

• Spare parts and MRO (maintenance, repair, operations) stores

• Manufacturing parts rooms and kitting areas

• E-commerce fulfilment centres handling non-palletised product

• Retail stockrooms handling oversize or bulky merchandise

• Government and defence stores management

• Print and document management

Longspan Shelving Specifications: What to Know Before You Buy

Specification	Typical Range — Australian Market
Bay width	900mm to 2400mm (standard: 1200mm, 1500mm, 1800mm)
Bay depth	450mm, 600mm, 900mm
Bay height	2100mm, 2500mm, 3000mm, 3600mm
Shelf load capacity	150kg to 800kg UDL per shelf level
Shelf deck type	Chipboard (standard), wire mesh, steel panel, recycled plastic panels
Upright pitch	50mm
Frame connection	Clip-in / snap-fit (no tools required for shelf adjustment)
Configuration	Starter bays + add-on bays to create continuous runs
Finish	Powder-coated — RAL colour options available

Shelf Deck Options: Which Material Is Right for Your Application?

Chipboard (particle board): The most common longspan shelf deck. Cost-effective, smooth surface ideal for cartons and totes. Not suited to wet or high-humidity environments.

Wire mesh: Open deck allows air circulation — suited to produce, chemicals, and environments where hygiene and ventilation are priorities.

Steel panel: Solid steel deck for heavier loads or sharper-edged products. More durable than a chipboard for industrial environments.

Recycled plastic panels: Durable, sustainable deck option suited to environments where hygiene, longevity, and environmental considerations are priorities. Resistant to moisture and easy to clean.

Cantilever Racking vs Longspan Shelving: Which One Does Your Business Need?

These two systems are frequently confused because they both serve non-standard storage applications outside the mainstream pallet racking market. Here's a direct comparison to help you identify the right system for your operation:

Factor	Cantilever Racking	Longspan Shelving
Best for	Long, irregular, or non-palletised goods	Cartons, totes, parts, oversize merchandise
Product access	Side-loaded — full open face, no columns	Front-loaded — shelf-based, boxed product
Load type	Timber, steel, pipe, carpet rolls, panels	Cartons, totes, auto parts, hardware
Bay width	Determined by product length (custom)	900mm to 2400mm (standard options)
Weight per level	Capacity up to 1500kg per arm	150kg to 800kg UDL per shelf
Forklift required?	Yes — side loader or counterbalance	No — manual access or order picker
Outdoor use?	Yes — galvanised option available	Not recommended — indoor use only
Shelf deck	Open arms — no deck	Chipboard, mesh, steel, or recycled plastic panels
EOFY eligibility?	Likely yes — confirm with accountant	Likely yes — confirm with accountant
CH Racking supply?	Yes — full range, all sizes	Yes — full range, all configurations

Many Australian operations use both systems together — cantilever racking for long goods storage in a yard or warehouse bay, and longspan shelving in adjacent areas for parts, accessories, or boxed merchandise. CH Racking can design and supply both systems as part of a single project, ensuring consistent quality and component compatibility across your facility.

The CH Racking and Displays EOFY Campaign: Why Act Before 30 June?

★  EOFY INSTANT WRITE-OFF CAMPAIGN — ORDER BY 30 JUNE 2026

CH Racking is offering priority lead times, EOFY pricing, and fast-track installation scheduling for cantilever racking and longspan shelving orders placed before 30 June 2026. Contact us now to lock in your order and receive a formal invoice before the financial year closes.

The instant asset write-off creates a compelling financial argument to upgrade your storage infrastructure before 30 June rather than delaying until the new financial year. Here's the practical business case:

The Real Cost of Waiting

If your marginal tax rate as a business is 25% (the base rate for most small to medium Australian companies under the $50 million turnover threshold), a $30,000 cantilever racking investment that qualifies for an immediate write-off effectively costs your business $22,500 after the tax benefit — a $7,500 saving compared to capitalising the asset and depreciating it over several years.

Delay the purchase until 1 July and that benefit disappears — pushed out by a full 12 months, and subject to whatever write-off rules apply in the 2026–27 financial year (which may differ from those in 2025–26).

Operational Upside: Don't Just Think About the Tax

The tax deduction is the financial trigger — but the operational benefit is the real reason to invest. Businesses that upgrade to properly specified cantilever racking or longspan shelving consistently report:

• Significant reduction in product damage — particularly for timber, steel, and long goods stored directly on the ground or in inadequate racks

• Faster pick and load times as forklift operators and handlers have clear, organised access to every product without digging through ground-level stacks

• Improved WHS compliance — unorganised long goods storage on the floor or in deteriorating shelving is a significant manual handling and falling goods risk

• Better inventory accuracy — products in a defined, labelled racking position are far easier to count, locate, and manage

• Increased storage capacity without additional floor space — structured racking uses vertical height more effectively than ground level storage

What the EOFY Campaign Includes

• Priority production and delivery scheduling for orders invoiced before 30 June 2026

• EOFY pricing on selected cantilever racking and longspan shelving system configurations

• Complimentary site measure and specification for orders over a qualifying threshold

• Fast track installation scheduling available in VIC, NSW, QLD, SA, and WA

• Formal tax invoice issued on purchase confirmation — suitable for accountant and ATO documentation

How to Get Your CH Racking EOFY Quote Before 30 June

Getting a quote is fast. To help us turn around an accurate specification and price within 48 hours, have the following information ready when you contact our team:

1. Your location — state, suburb, and site access details

2. The products you need to store — dimensions (length, width, height), weight per unit, and quantity

3. Your available floor space — width, depth, and clear ceiling height

4. Your forklift type — counterbalance, reach, sideloader, or manual

5. Whether you need installation or supply-only

6. Your preferred invoice date — before 30 June for EOFY write-off purposes

CONTACT CH RACKING BEFORE 30 JUNE

Phone: 03 8766 9072

Web: chracking.com.au

Quote requests received after 20 June may not be fulfilled before the 30 June deadline — contact us early.

Frequently Asked Questions: Cantilever Racking, Longspan Shelving & the EOFY Write-Off

Q: Does cantilever racking qualify for the instant asset write-off in Australia?

A: Cantilever racking is classified as plant and equipment — a depreciating asset — under Australian tax law, and has historically qualified for the instant asset write-off for eligible businesses. Eligibility depends on your business's aggregated annual turnover, the cost of the asset, and the ATO rules in effect for the 2025–26 financial year. Always confirm your specific eligibility with a registered tax agent or accountant before purchasing.

Q: Does longspan shelving qualify for the instant asset write-off?

A: Longspan shelving systems are generally classified as depreciating business assets and may qualify for the instant asset write-off under the same provisions as other plant and equipment. As with all asset write-off claims, eligibility is specific to your business circumstances and the applicable ATO rules. Speak to your accountant to confirm before purchasing.

Q: What is cantilever racking used for?

A: Cantilever racking is used to store long, oversized, or irregularly shaped goods that cannot be stored on standard pallet racking. Common applications in Australia include timber and building materials, steel and metal products, PVC pipe and conduit, carpet rolls, furniture, automotive panels, and agricultural equipment. The system uses horizontal arms projecting from a central column — with no front upright — to provide unobstructed side access for loading and unloading long products.

Q: What is longspan shelving and how is it different from standard industrial shelving?

A: Longspan shelving is a medium-duty shelf system with bay widths typically ranging from 900mm to 2400mm — significantly wider than standard industrial shelving bays of 900–1200mm. It is designed for goods too heavy for light-duty shelving (cartons, totes, auto parts, oversize merchandise) but not heavy enough to justify full pallet racking. Shelf decks are available in chipboard, wire mesh, steel panel, and recycled plastic panel formats. The wider bay width reduces the number of uprights across a storage run and accommodates long or oversize items.

Q: How much does cantilever racking cost in Australia?

A: Cantilever racking costs in Australia vary based on height, arm configuration, load rating, single or double-sided design, and whether galvanised components are required. Light-duty single-sided systems for timber and building materials typically start from several hundred dollars per column bay, with full systems for larger storage requirements priced on application. CH Racking provides detailed quotes based on your specific product, site, and load requirements — contact our team for a current EOFY price.

Q: What is the maximum load capacity of longspan shelving?

A: Standard longspan shelving systems in the Australian market are rated for shelf loads between 150kg and 800kg per shelf level, expressed as a Uniformly Distributed Load (UDL). Heavy-duty longspan configurations can exceed this range. The rated load capacity depends on the specific bracket, upright, and shelf deck combination — always check the manufacturer's specifications and never exceed the rated UDL. Safe working load notices must be posted on all shelf systems in commercial environments.

Q: Can cantilever racking be used outdoors in Australia?

A: Yes — cantilever racking is commonly used outdoors in Australian timber yards, building supply depots, and agricultural facilities. Outdoor installations require hot-dip galvanised components rather than standard powder-coated steel, to resist the corrosion caused by moisture, UV exposure, and humidity. The structural design must also account for wind loading on the arms and stored product. CH Racking supplies galvanised cantilever racking systems rated for outdoor use.

Summary: Key Takeaways

• Cantilever racking is the right system for long, oversized, or non-palletised goods — timber, steel, pipe, carpet, furniture, and automotive products.

• Longspan shelving is the right system for medium-weight carton, tote, and parts storage where standard shelving is too light and pallet racking is too heavy.

• Both systems may qualify as eligible depreciating assets under the ATO's instant asset write-off — confirm with your accountant.

• The EOFY 30 June deadline is firm — assets typically need to be invoiced or ready for use before the financial year closes to qualify.

• CH Racking's EOFY campaign offers priority scheduling, EOFY pricing, and fast-track installation across Australia.

• Contact CH Racking before 20 June 2026 to ensure your order can be fulfilled before the 30 June deadline.

★  ACT BEFORE 30 JUNE — DON'T MISS THE WRITE-OFF WINDOW

Call CH Racking & Displays on 03 8766 9072 or visit chracking.com.au to request your EOFY quote today. Our team is standing by to specify, price, and schedule your cantilever racking or longspan shelving installation before the financial year closes.

Disclaimer: This article is intended as general information only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Instant asset write-off eligibility is subject to ATO rules, your business's specific circumstances, and applicable thresholds for the 2025–26 financial year. Always consult a registered tax agent or accountant before making purchase decisions based on tax provisions.