Allbids vs Grays (2026): Canberra Government Surplus vs National Auctions

Allbids is a Canberra-based online auctioneer that sells surplus for Commonwealth and ACT government agencies, including the Australian Federal Police, the Department of Finance and the Australian Electoral Commission, and says it is an approved panellist with the Department of Finance. Grays is one of Australia's largest online auctioneers, selling mostly commercial stock plus some ex-government consignments nationwide. Both charge a buyer's premium that is a percentage of the winning bid and varies (Allbids by bid amount and category, Grays by sale), both run timed online auctions with anti-sniping extensions, and both offer delivery. Today we index 330+ live Allbids lots and 2,800+ from Grays, not counting private consignments.

The practical difference is scale and provenance. Allbids is small, local and heavily government; Grays is huge, national and mostly commercial.

Quick answer

• For Commonwealth and ACT government surplus: Allbids. Government is its core seller base.
• For range and volume: Grays, by a wide margin.
• For short deadlines: watch Allbids. You have 72 hours to pay and 72 hours to collect.
• For card payments on big lots: Grays charges cards automatically under $10,000; above that both expect a bank payment.

Side by side

Rates and windows are from each auctioneer's own terms and can change. The listing you bid on is what binds you.

Who sells through each

Allbids lists its government and corporate clients on its own site. Commonwealth names include the Australian Federal Police, the Department of Finance, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Australian Electoral Commission and the High Court. ACT names include ACT Corrective Services, the ACT Magistrates Court and ACT Territory and Municipal Services. Allbids also sells commercial consignments. In our index today most live Allbids lots are vehicles, located in the ACT and New South Wales.

Grays sells mainly commercial stock, with some government consignments. We index its surplus categories (tools and industrial, IT and electronics, plant, vehicles and office). Ex-government lots appear as named consignments, such as Western Australia Police uncollected and forfeited goods. Most of Grays' volume is commercial, so check the seller on each listing if you specifically want government stock.

Fees

Neither auctioneer publishes one flat rate.

Allbids charges a buyer's premium on every auction, paid to Allbids as its fee. Its terms say the premium varies with the winning bid amount, and its buyer guide says the rate can differ by category because of handling costs. Its own worked example uses 15%: a $50 winning bid becomes a $57.50 invoice. The rate for a given lot is shown on the listing.

Grays calls its premium an administration fee on the bid price, always a percentage and variable. A sale uses either a standard rate or a tiered rate by bid price, shown in the sale overview. Buy Now purchases carry no premium. GST applies to the bid, premium and freight on taxable sales, and card payments carry surcharges (1.2% Visa, Mastercard and PayPal; 2.5% Amex and Diners; 0.7% debit).

Before bidding at either, add the premium, GST where the lot is GST-exclusive, and delivery to your maximum. Our GST and buyer's premium guide shows the sums, and the true-cost calculator does them for you.

Bidding mechanics

Both run timed online auctions where you can set a maximum and let the system bid for you.

Allbids extends an auction when a bid lands within 5 minutes of close, and keeps extending until a full refresh period passes with no bids. Grays extends by 10 minutes for every bid in the last 10 minutes, so a lot only closes after 10 quiet minutes. At both, last-second sniping does not work; your maximum bid is what matters.

Allbids requires mobile number verification to bid and may ask for ID on high-value items and motor vehicles. Grays requires you to register and sign in before placing an Autobid.

Payment and collection

Allbids gives you 72 hours from winning to pay. PayID (Osko) is its preferred method because it clears instantly; ordinary direct deposit can take up to three business days to clear, which eats into your collection window. You can also pay by card online, or cash, EFTPOS or card in person. You then have 72 hours to collect from the Fyshwick warehouse or the location on the listing, booking a pickup time online. Daily storage fees apply after that, scaled by the item's size.

Grays charges purchases under $10,000 to your nominated payment method within 24 hours of the sale closing, and wants direct deposit within two days for anything over $10,000. Goods are released only after funds clear and must be collected in the sale's stated window; uncollected goods can be treated as abandoned, and storage fees apply.

Delivery

Both offer alternatives to collecting in person. Allbids sends items under 25kg by Australia Post, Fastway or Pack and Send, arranges pallet freight for larger items, and ships internationally. Grays delivers Australia-wide, typically in 2 to 14 business days. For vehicles and heavy plant at either, plan your own transport.

Who each one suits

• Canberra and NSW buyers after government vehicles and office surplus: Allbids.
• Buyers who want the biggest range and national reach: Grays.
• Buyers who care about provenance: Allbids, where government is the core seller, or Grays' named government consignments.
• Buyers who cannot act fast: be careful with Allbids' 72-hour pay and collect windows; line up payment and pickup before you bid.

Search both at once

GovAuctions indexes Allbids, Grays and Pickles in one free search and shows the seller on every lot. Browse ex-government vehicles, see every source on the Australian sources page, or read how Pickles and Grays compare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Allbids a government auction site?

Allbids is a private auctioneer, but much of its stock is government surplus. It lists the Australian Federal Police, the Department of Finance, the Australian Electoral Commission, the High Court and several ACT agencies as clients, and says it is an approved panellist with the Department of Finance.

What is the Allbids buyer's premium?

It is a percentage of the winning bid paid to Allbids as its fee. The rate varies with the bid amount and category, and the listing shows it. Allbids' own example uses 15%, turning a $50 winning bid into a $57.50 invoice.

How long do I have to pay and collect at Allbids?

72 hours to pay and 72 hours to collect. PayID clears instantly; ordinary bank transfers can take up to three business days, so use PayID if you want to collect on time.

Does Grays charge a buyer's premium?

Yes, on auction lots. It is a percentage of the bid price set per sale and shown in the sale overview. Buy Now purchases carry no premium.

Do Allbids and Grays deliver?

Yes. Allbids ships parcels under 25kg through Australia Post, Fastway or Pack and Send, arranges pallet freight for larger items, and ships internationally. Grays delivers Australia-wide, typically in 2 to 14 business days.

Can I snipe an Allbids or Grays auction?

No. Allbids extends an auction for bids within 5 minutes of close, and Grays extends by 10 minutes for every bid in the last 10 minutes. Enter your real maximum bid instead.