Best Australian Government Auction Sites: Allbids, Pickles, Grays & Manheim Compared (2026)

Australia has no national government auction website. Governments hire licensed auctioneers: Pickles sells for the Victorian (VicFleet), Western Australian, South Australian, Tasmanian and Northern Territory government fleets, while Manheim sells Queensland's QFleet vehicles and, since July 2022, NSW agency-owned vehicles. Allbids runs NSW Police and AFP recovered-goods sales, Grays sells WA Police uncollected goods, and Australian Frontline Machinery sells ex-ADF equipment on Pickles. Each platform sets its own buyer's premium, and GST applies on top of or inside the price depending on the lot.

GovAuctions lists lots from Pickles, Grays and Allbids (not Manheim), with the vendor shown on each Pickles lot. Here's how the four main platforms compare in 2026.

Quick Comparison

Buyer's premium rates change by platform, category, and lot - always read the lot's terms before bidding. Most Australian platforms quote the buyer's premium GST-inclusive.

1. Allbids (allbids.com.au) - Best for Canberra & Commonwealth Surplus

Allbids is a Canberra-based online auction house that has become the go-to platform for ACT and Commonwealth government surplus, including Australian Federal Police (AFP) and police seized-property auctions, alongside a large stream of general goods. GovAuctions lists Allbids' vehicle, IT, office and plant categories, but not its police recovered-goods sales.

What you'll find: Ex-government vehicles, office fit-outs and furniture, IT and electronics, plus police and confiscated goods - electronics, jewellery, tools, bikes.

Buyer's premium: A percentage of the winning bid, applied to all auctions and varying by lot depending on handling costs. The premium is GST-inclusive; where a lot is sold GST-inclusive, the premium is calculated on the GST-inclusive sale price.

• Strong, steady stream of Commonwealth, AFP, and ACT government lots
• Police and seized-goods category you won't easily find elsewhere
• Straightforward online bidding

• Heaviest inventory is Canberra/ACT-centric (collection logistics if you're interstate)
• Premium varies lot to lot, so read each lot's terms

2. Pickles (pickles.com.au) - Best for Ex-Government Cars

Pickles holds the government fleet disposal contracts in Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Victoria's VicFleet sells its lease vehicles through Pickles every Tuesday at Sunshine North in Melbourne's west, and WA's State Fleet sells at Bibra Lake. Pickles also runs the online ex-military sales for Australian Frontline Machinery. On 23 September 2026 we had 955 live Pickles lots from named government vendors and 823 from fleet lease companies.

What you'll find: Low-kilometre ex-government sedans, hatchbacks, wagons, 4WDs, utes, vans, light trucks, and buses - commonly around three years old (VicFleet's standard lease is 36 months) - plus salvage, industrial assets, and general goods.

Buyer's premium: A percentage of the purchase price, announced before the auction and varying by category. Fees are GST-inclusive.

• Biggest selection of ex-government and fleet vehicles in Australia
• State fleet vehicles are well-maintained and cycled out young
• Yards and inspection days in most states

• Premium and fees add to the hammer price
• Vehicles are collection-only; you arrange transport interstate

3. Grays (grays.com) - Best for Industrial, IT & Mixed Surplus

Grays (formerly GraysOnline) is one of Australia's largest online auction marketplaces and a major channel for government and corporate surplus across industrial plant, IT, electronics, and general goods. It is also the auctioneer named by the WA Government for WA Police uncollected and forfeited goods.

What you'll find: Government and corporate surplus - machinery, tools, IT and electronics, office equipment, vehicles, and a wide tail of general goods (right down to wine).

Buyer's premium: Varies by sale category and may be GST-inclusive or GST-exclusive. On a GST-exclusive sale you pay GST on the buyer's premium. Always check the lot's sale terms.

• Huge, varied catalogue beyond just vehicles
• Strong for industrial, plant, and IT government surplus
• Mature online platform with national coverage

• GST treatment varies by category - easy to miscalculate your true cost
• Quality and descriptions vary across the long tail of lots

4. Manheim (manheim.com.au) - Best for Fleet Vehicles, Trucks & Machinery

Manheim is a vehicle, truck, and machinery auction specialist. It sells Queensland's QFleet vehicles (at Eagle Farm in Brisbane) and, since 1 July 2022, is the NSW Government's disposal provider for agency-owned vehicles. GovAuctions does not list Manheim lots.

What you'll find: Ex-government and council passenger vehicles, trucks, machinery, and motorcycles, with major yards in NSW (Moorebank, Beresfield, Wagga Wagga) and other states.

Buyer's premium: A percentage fee that varies by category; check the lot terms.

• Specialist in vehicles, trucks, and heavy machinery
• Runs QFleet (QLD) and government-council vehicle sales
• Frequent, predictable weekly auction schedule

• Focused on vehicles/plant; less general-goods variety
• Collection-only; transport is the buyer's responsibility

The State Fleet Disposal Programs

Behind the auctioneers sit the government fleet programs that supply the vehicles. Knowing these helps you understand where the cars actually come from:

• NSW. Since 1 July 2022, agency-owned vehicles are sold through Manheim under a whole-of-government disposal contract. Pickles held the contract before that.
• VIC - VicFleet. Operates the Victorian Government fleet and disposes of used vehicles via Pickles, with weekly Tuesday auctions and inspection at Sunshine (Melbourne).
• QLD - QFleet. Queensland Government fleet vehicles sold through Manheim.
• WA, SA, TAS, NT. WA State Fleet, the SA Government Financing Authority's fleet, Tasmanian government vehicles and NT Fleet all sell through Pickles. We could not confirm the ACT's fleet disposal auctioneer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best websites to find government surplus auctions in Australia?

Australia has no single national government auction site - government bodies appoint licensed commercial auctioneers, and inventory is spread across them and the states. GovAuctions (govauctions.app/au) is a free search across Pickles, Grays and Allbids, with filtering and email alerts; it does not include Manheim. To go direct: Pickles sells most state fleet vehicles (Victoria, WA, SA, Tasmania, NT), Manheim sells QLD's QFleet and NSW agency vehicles, Allbids is strongest for Canberra and police recovered goods, and Grays is broadest for industrial, IT and mixed surplus. GovAuctions also shows free sold-price ranges in AUD so you can judge what a lot is worth before bidding.

What is the best Australian government auction site?

It depends what you want. For ex-government cars, Pickles has the largest selection and runs state fleet disposals. For Canberra/Commonwealth and police seized goods, Allbids is strongest. For industrial, IT, and mixed surplus, Grays is the broadest. For QLD and NSW government fleet cars, Manheim. GovAuctions searches Pickles, Grays and Allbids in one feed.

Is there a site that searches all Australian government auctions?

There's no official national site. GovAuctions searches Pickles, Grays and Allbids in one interface with filtering and email alerts. Manheim, Lloyds and other auctioneers are not included, so check them directly for QLD and NSW fleet cars and state police sales.

How much is the buyer's premium on Australian auction sites?

It varies by platform, category, and lot, and is generally quoted GST-inclusive. Allbids, Pickles, Grays, and Manheim each set their own rates, and some categories differ from others. Always read the lot's terms and factor the premium (and GST) into your maximum bid.

Which platform sells ex-government cars in Australia?

Pickles sells for the Victorian (VicFleet), Western Australian, South Australian, Tasmanian and Northern Territory government fleets, while Manheim sells Queensland's QFleet vehicles and, since July 2022, NSW agency-owned vehicles. Allbids and Grays also list ex-government and council vehicles. VicFleet cars typically come off a 36-month lease.

Are these Australian auction platforms trustworthy?

Yes. Allbids, Pickles, Grays, and Manheim are established, licensed Australian auctioneers acting for government and corporate sellers. The listings are genuine surplus. As with any auction, goods are sold as-is, so inspect when possible and read each lot's terms.

The Bottom Line

Australia's government surplus is spread across four main auctioneers and eight jurisdictions, with no single front door. If you're chasing a specific ex-government car, start with Pickles (most states) or Manheim (QLD and NSW); for Canberra and police recovered goods, Allbids; for industrial and IT, Grays. GovAuctions searches Pickles, Grays and Allbids in one place with alerts. Related guides: ex-government utes and fleet cars, police auctions by state, military surplus auctions and GST and buyer's premium.