Selective pallet racking gives you direct access to every pallet, in any order. It’s the most widely used warehouse storage system in Australia and for good reason: each pallet sits in its own bay, accessible by forklift from the aisle, with no need to move other stock to reach what you need.
It’s suited to operations that store a wide variety of SKUs, need regular access to stock, or want a system that can grow and adapt alongside the business. Absolute Storage Systems designs, supplies and installs selective racking across Australia, fully configured to your floor plan and forklift type.
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Selective racking consists of upright frames and horizontal beams that create individual bays, one pallet position per slot. Because no pallet sits behind another, your forklift can access any bay directly, without relocating stock to get to what you need.
This makes it the right system when product variety is high or stock turns over frequently. Businesses storing large volumes of a single product line, where maximum density matters more than individual access, are usually better suited to drive-in or double deep racking instead.
Selective racking looks straightforward, but getting the bay sizing, beam levels and load ratings right is what determines whether the system works for years or creates bottlenecks. Absolute Storage Systems has been specifying and installing selective racking since 1991.
We assess your pallet sizes, stock turnover and aisle widths to confirm selective racking is the right fit.
We design bay sizing, beam levels and load ratings around your specific floor plan and forklift type.
Professionally installed in line with AS4084:2023, ready to load from day one.
We check load signage, beam locking and frame stability before handover.
We provide racking audits, maintenance and reconfiguration as your stock or layout changes.
For warehouses handling a wide range of products, the ability to reach any pallet without moving others is what keeps picking fast and accurate. Selective racking delivers that accessibility while still making proper use of vertical space.
Selective racking is the right system for most general-purpose warehouses, and the right starting point if you’re not yet sure which configuration suits your stock. Our team can assess your current setup or design a new system from scratch, contact us to get started.
Selective pallet racking is used wherever a warehouse needs direct access to every pallet without moving other stock first. It suits operations carrying a lot of different products, where pallets are picked in no fixed order and speed of access matters more than packing the maximum number of pallets into the floor space. It is the most common pallet racking system in Australian warehouses.
Capacity depends on the beam length, the upright frame and how the bay is configured, rather than being a fixed figure. Standard selective racking is commonly held in the range of 500kg to 3,000kg per beam level, with heavier duty configurations available above that. The rating for your system is engineered to your actual pallet weights and confirmed on the load signage at installation.
Aisle width is set by the handling equipment, not the racking. Product type can also impact the width as some product may require more room to be maneuvered. As a rough guide, a standard counterbalance forklift needs around 3.5m to 4.5m, a reach truck around 2.7m to 3.2m, and very narrow aisle equipment can work down to around 1.6m to 1.9m. The exact figure comes from your truck’s turning specification plus a safety allowance, which we confirm during the site assessment.
Selective pallet racking is usually forklift loaded and built around full pallets and heavier loads. Pallet racking is structurally stronger and therefore can be higher than most long span shelving options,. Long span shelving is hand loaded and built for cartons, parts and bulkier loose stock that does not warrant a pallet position. Long span is also suitable for small spaces such as back of office or home garages.
Height is limited by your building, not the racking and then by the type of machinery that you use to access the racking. Most forklifts and MHE equipment lifting capacity is de-rated the higher the load is lifted so consideration around your choice of MHE is important when considering higher racking. The practical ceiling is set by usable clear height under sprinklers and services, the lift height of your forklift, and the floor slab.
As per the Australian Standard (AS4084:2023), pallet racking audits are now mandatory and must be completed every 12 months.
Ensure your facility is safe and fully compliant with a free onsite audit from our expert team.
