Farm Sheds Built for Machinery, Hay and Grain Storage
RHS structural steel frames. Registered VBA builder. Permits, fabrication, concrete and installation managed in-house.
At a glance
- Custom farm sheds for machinery, hay, grain storage, and enclosed supply sheds
- Rectangular Hollow Section (RHS) structural steel frames as standard, not C-section
- Registered Victorian Building Authority (VBA) builder, Domestic and Commercial licences held
- Building permits and council approvals managed by Trusteel as part of every project
- Clear spans available to 40m and beyond, with wide-opening configurations for large equipment
- Full construction service across Melbourne metro and regional Victoria
- Self-erect kit supply available for buyers outside the full-service construction zone
Farm Sheds Built to Last on Working Properties
Trusteel Fabrications has designed and built farm sheds across Victoria since 1976. Every shed is fabricated in-house at the Mulgrave workshop and constructed on site by Trusteel’s own licensed builders. Customers deal with one company from the first design consultation through to handover.
This page covers farm sheds in the specific sense: machinery housing, hay and feed storage, and grain and supply storage. These three use cases define a farm shed and set it apart from rural sheds built for more general purposes. Each has different structural requirements, access needs, and permit thresholds under Victorian planning law.
Trusteel holds Domestic and Commercial building licences through the VBA. This means permits are applied for and managed directly by Trusteel. There is no requirement for the property owner to engage a separate registered builder or coordinate third-party tradespeople.
What We Build
Farm sheds vary significantly in scope, configuration, and intended use. The sections below cover the three main types Trusteel builds, with notes on what each requires structurally.
Structure types:
- Hay sheds, open-sided with gable or skillion rooflines and airflow clearance
- Farm machinery sheds with wide-span openings and high clearance heights
- Grain and feed storage sheds, enclosed with weatherproof skins and sealed floors
- Multi-bay farm sheds combining open and enclosed sections on a single frame
- Farm lean-to sheds and ancillary storage structures attached to existing buildings
- Covered equipment hardstands and loading bay structures
Structural options on every build:
- RHS portal frames for standard spans
- Universal Beam (UB) frames for heavy-duty or large-span configurations
- Open Web Truss (OWT) roof framing for wide-bay applications
- Gable and skillion roof profiles to suit site drainage and clearance requirements
- Roller doors, sliding doors, and open-bay configurations
- Insulation lining options for enclosed storage sheds
Trusteel builds farm sheds across Melbourne metro and regional Victoria, including Geelong, Gippsland, the Mornington Peninsula, Ballarat, and Bendigo, within approximately 150km of the Mulgrave workshop. For properties further afield, self-erect kit supply is available. If your property also includes horse paddocks or equestrian facilities, Trusteel’s equine structures range covers stables, arenas, and paddock shelters separately.
Structural Steel Frames Versus C-Section Kits
Farm sheds vary significantly in scope, configuration, and intended use. The sections below cover the three main types Trusteel builds, with notes on what each requires structurally.
Structure types:
- Hay sheds, open-sided with gable or skillion rooflines and airflow clearance
- Farm machinery sheds with wide-span openings and high clearance heights
- Grain and feed storage sheds, enclosed with weatherproof skins and sealed floors
- Multi-bay farm sheds combining open and enclosed sections on a single frame
- Farm lean-to sheds and ancillary storage structures attached to existing buildings
- Covered equipment hardstands and loading bay structures
Structural options on every build:
- RHS portal frames for standard spans
- Universal Beam (UB) frames for heavy-duty or large-span configurations
- Open Web Truss (OWT) roof framing for wide-bay applications
- Gable and skillion roof profiles to suit site drainage and clearance requirements
- Roller doors, sliding doors, and open-bay configurations
- Insulation lining options for enclosed storage sheds
Trusteel builds farm sheds across Melbourne metro and regional Victoria, including Geelong, Gippsland, the Mornington Peninsula, Ballarat, and Bendigo, within approximately 150km of the Mulgrave workshop. For properties further afield, self-erect kit supply is available. If your property also includes horse paddocks or equestrian facilities, Trusteel’s equine structures range covers stables, arenas, and paddock shelters separately.
The Farm Shed Build Process
Every farm shed Trusteel builds follows a defined sequence. From first contact to handover, the customer has a single point of contact throughout.
- Site Assessment. Trusteel reviews the property, intended use, and access requirements. Soil conditions, slope, wind region, and bushfire zone status are confirmed at this stage.
- Design and Engineering. The shed is designed to the confirmed specifications. Structural engineering is completed in-house. Drawings are produced for permit submission and fabrication.
- Permits and BCA Compliance. Trusteel lodges the building permit application with the relevant council or private building surveyor. All documentation is prepared by Trusteel. The owner does not need to manage this process separately.
- Fabrication at Mulgrave. Frames, purlins, girts, cladding, and fixings are fabricated or sourced at Trusteel’s Mulgrave workshop. Quality checks occur before despatch.
- Concrete and Site Preparation. Trusteel manages concreting where required, including hardstand pads and slab work. This is included in the project scope, not subcontracted separately.
- Construction and Handover. Trusteel’s licensed builders erect the shed on site. A final inspection is completed before handover. Permit sign-off is managed by Trusteel’s nominated building surveyor.
To start configuring your project, use the shed designer for a preliminary layout before speaking with the team.
Permits for Farm Sheds in Victoria
Farm sheds in Victoria are subject to the Building Act 1993 and the Building Code of Australia (BCA). A building permit is required for most farm sheds, including machinery sheds, enclosed storage buildings, and any structure exceeding the dimensions exempt under the relevant planning scheme.
Rural zone exemptions exist under some Victorian planning schemes for certain agricultural buildings. These exemptions have specific conditions, including floor area limits, setback requirements, and, in some cases, restrictions on use. Exemptions do not apply universally. A property’s zone, overlay, and council’s local provisions all affect whether an exemption applies.
Properties in Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) zones face additional requirements. BAL zoning is determined by proximity to classified vegetation and applies across much of regional Victoria. Construction materials, ember protection, and structural detailing must comply with AS 3959 in these areas. Trusteel identifies BAL requirements at the site assessment stage and incorporates them into the structural design before permit submission.
As a VBA-registered builder holding Domestic and Commercial licences, Trusteel applies for and manages building permits directly. The property owner does not need to source a separate builder, submit permit documents independently, or manage a building surveyor relationship.
Farm Shed Costs
Farm shed pricing in Victoria varies based on size, configuration, frame specification, site conditions, and permit requirements. The figures below are indicative starting points for budget planning.
- Basic hay or open storage shed (up to 15m x 9m, open-sided, RHS frames): from approximately $25,000 installed
- Mid-range machinery shed (18m x 12m to 24m x 15m, wide-span opening, hardstand): from approximately $60,000 installed
- Large enclosed farm storage shed (30m x 15m and above, enclosed, concrete pad footings and installation): from approximately $80,000 upward, depending on scope
These are indicative figures only. Final cost depends on scope, site conditions, permit requirements, BAL zone status, and selected finishes. Quotes are provided after a site assessment and design review.
To get a preliminary idea of size and layout, configure your farm shed using the online tool.
Want to discuss your project directly? Talk to a farm shed builder for a scope-based estimate.
Trusted by Victorian Farms and Agricultural Operators
Trusteel has built farm and agricultural structures for property owners and operators across Victoria. Named clients from the agricultural sector include Evergreen Turf, Eversen Nurseries, Motta Farms, Mount Harvest Foods, Grandiflora Nurseries, and Din San Nursery.
Project types have included hay and feed storage sheds for mixed farming operations, large-span machinery sheds for horticulture and cropping properties, and enclosed agricultural supply buildings on rural lots. For a broader view of completed work, our case studies section includes project documentation and imagery.
Why Work with Trusteel
- In operation since 1976, over 50 years of shed design and construction in Victoria
- Registered VBA builder holding Domestic and Commercial building licences
- HIA member, with obligations to industry standards and building codes
- RHS structural steel frames as standard on every farm shed build, not C-section
- Full in-house scope including design, engineering, fabrication, permits, concrete, and construction
- Clear spans to 40m and beyond, with wide-opening configurations for machinery access
- Farm shed construction across Melbourne metro and regional Victoria within approximately 150km of Mulgrave
- Self-erect kit supply available for properties outside the full-service zone
Frequently Asked Questions
Do farm sheds in Victoria require a building permit?
Most farm sheds in Victoria require a building permit under the Building Act 1993. Some rural zone exemptions exist for smaller agricultural buildings, but these exemptions are subject to specific conditions relating to floor area, setbacks, and use type. Trusteel assesses permit requirements for your property at the design stage.
What is the difference between RHS, UB, OWT, and C-section frames for farm sheds?
RHS, universal beams, and Open Web Trusses are all structural steel, welded or fabricated for rigidity, unlike C-section which is pressed from thinner cold-formed steel. Trusteel uses RHS as standard and moves to universal beams or Open Web Trusses for wider spans or heavier-duty loads. All three outperform C-section for machinery loads, hay weight, and decades of Victorian weather.
How does Trusteel handle council approvals and permit applications?
Trusteel prepares all permit documentation and lodges the building permit application directly. As a VBA-registered builder, Trusteel manages the full approval process without requiring the property owner to engage a separate builder or deal with the council independently. Permit timelines vary by council and are advised at the design stage.
What happens if my property is in a BAL zone?
Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) zoning requires construction to comply with AS 3959, which governs materials, ember protection, and structural detailing for bushfire-prone areas. Trusteel identifies the applicable BAL rating during the site assessment. The structural design and material selection are adjusted to comply before permit submission.
Can Trusteel build a farm shed outside Melbourne, in regional Victoria?
Trusteel provides full construction services across Melbourne metro and regional Victoria within approximately 150km of the Mulgrave workshop, covering areas including Geelong, Gippsland, the Mornington Peninsula, Ballarat, and Bendigo. For properties further afield, self-erect steel kit supply is available. Contact Trusteel to confirm service options for your location.
Our Process
Our expert teams carry out every step of the construction and installation process.
Site Evaluation
Manufacture & Fabricate
Request A Quote
To ask us a question about our sheds in Victoria or southern NSW, or discover our shed prices, please get in touch. We’re here to help.