When people search for the biggest freight company in Australia, the answer may seem straightforward. However, Australia’s freight and logistics industry covers several different areas, including road freight, freight forwarding, warehousing, contract logistics, sea freight and air freight.
Because of this, there is not necessarily one company that can be called the biggest across every part of the industry. The answer depends on what is being measured and which part of the freight market is being considered.
Companies such as Toll Group, Linfox, Team Global Express, Qube, DHL, DSV and Mainfreight operate across different areas of the Australian freight and logistics industry. Their services and areas of operation are not identical, so comparing them requires some context.
What Does “Biggest Freight Company” Mean?
The word biggest can mean different things in logistics.
For example, one company may have a large road transport operation, while another may have a significant international freight forwarding network. A third company may have extensive warehousing and 3PL operations.
Here are some of the factors commonly used when comparing freight companies:
| Factor | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Revenue | Overall size of the company’s business |
| Freight Volume | Amount of cargo handled or transported |
| Network | Locations, facilities and transport coverage |
| Fleet | Size and reach of transport operations |
| Warehousing | Storage and distribution capabilities |
| Freight Forwarding | Ability to coordinate international cargo |
| 3PL | Outsourced logistics and supply-chain services |
So, before asking which company is the biggest, it is useful to first identify which type of freight service you actually need.
Major Freight and Logistics Companies in Australia
Australia has a competitive freight and logistics market with both Australian and international companies.
Some well-known companies include:
- Toll Group – freight, transport, forwarding and logistics services
- Linfox – transport, warehousing and supply-chain services
- Team Global Express – express freight and transport
- Qube – logistics, ports, container and intermodal services
- DHL – international express, freight forwarding and contract logistics
- DSV – air, sea and road freight forwarding and logistics
- Mainfreight – air, ocean, road freight and warehousing
These companies should not simply be treated as interchangeable. Their networks, services, freight modes and areas of specialisation differ.
Is Toll Group the Biggest Freight Company in Australia?
Toll Group is one of Australia’s major freight and logistics companies.
Whether it is the biggest depends on the market definition being used. For example, Euromonitor’s data for Australia’s road passenger and freight transport industry identifies Toll Holdings as the largest company in that specific industry by 2025 turnover.
That does not automatically mean Toll is the largest company across every freight-forwarding, 3PL or logistics segment.
This distinction is important because industry reports can measure different markets.
Freight Company vs Freight Forwarder
A common mistake is to use freight company and freight forwarder as if they always mean the same thing.
A freight transport company may physically move goods using its own or operated transport network.
A freight forwarder primarily coordinates the movement of cargo by working with carriers and other logistics providers.
For example, an Australian business importing goods from overseas might need:
Supplier → International Freight → Port → Customs → Transport → Warehouse → Delivery
A freight forwarder can help coordinate several of these stages, depending on the services arranged.
What Does a Freight Forwarder Do?
A freight forwarder can coordinate different parts of an international shipment.
Typical activities may include:
- Arranging air or sea freight
- Coordinating with carriers
- Managing shipping documentation
- Supporting customs requirements
- Arranging LCL or FCL shipments
- Providing shipment tracking
- Coordinating transportation and delivery
The exact services depend on the freight forwarder and the requirements of the shipment.
Does Bigger Mean Better?
Not necessarily.
A large company may have a broad network and many service options, but that does not automatically make it the right choice for every shipment.
Consider a business importing a small amount of cargo from overseas. Its priorities may be different from a manufacturer moving full containers every week.
For one business, LCL sea freight and customs support may be important. Another may need FCL, warehousing and distribution. A time-sensitive shipment may require air freight.
The better comparison is therefore not simply company size, but whether the provider’s services match the actual requirements.
What Should You Check Before Choosing a Freight Company?
Instead of looking only at the company’s size, consider the following:
| What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Freight Modes | Check whether air, sea, road or other required options are available |
| Locations | Make sure the provider covers your origin and destination |
| Cargo Type | Some shipments require specific handling or equipment |
| Customs Support | Important for many international imports and exports |
| Warehousing | Useful when storage and distribution are part of the supply chain |
| Tracking | Helps provide visibility over shipment progress |
| Experience | Relevant experience can be useful for complex freight requirements |
Where Does Stockwells Fit? Stockwells is an Australian family-owned freight forwarding specialist that has operated since 1971. Its existing capabilities include air and sea freight forwarding, customs brokerage, port transport, warehousing and distribution, project cargo management, supply chain consulting and linehaul. This means businesses can evaluate Stockwells based on the particular freight and logistics services they require rather than simply comparing company size.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. Who is the biggest freight company in Australia?
There is no single answer that applies to every part of Australia’s freight and logistics industry. The answer depends on the segment and measurement being considered, such as road freight, freight forwarding or 3PL.
02. Is Toll Group one of Australia's largest freight companies?
Yes. Toll Group is a major freight and logistics operator in Australia. Its position can vary depending on the specific market being measured.
03. What is the difference between a freight company and a freight forwarder?
A freight company can refer broadly to businesses involved in transporting goods, while a freight forwarder primarily coordinates the movement of cargo through carriers and logistics providers.
03. What services does a freight forwarder provide?
Services can include freight booking, documentation coordination, customs support, shipment tracking and transportation coordination.
Looking for Freight Forwarding Support in Australia?
The right freight provider depends on your cargo, destination and logistics requirements. Stockwells can help businesses coordinate air and sea freight, customs brokerage, warehousing, distribution and other freight requirements.