Site Accommodation and Facilities Hire decisions begin with the task, not the badge on the machine.
01 / Types of site buildings and facilities
Transportable site buildings come in standard sizes, commonly around 6 m × 3 m and 12 m × 3 m, fitted out as site offices, meeting rooms, crib rooms or first aid rooms. Crib rooms typically include tables, seating, a sink, hot water, a fridge and microwave. Ablution blocks provide toilets, showers and hand basins, while portable toilets suit smaller or short-term sites. Change rooms, drying rooms and lockers support larger crews. Containers and storage units secure tools and materials.
Larger projects may stack buildings into two-storey site complexes with stairs and walkways, or link multiple modules into a combined office and amenities building. Remote projects may require accommodation camps with sleeping quarters, kitchens and laundries. Self-contained units with holding tanks and solar power suit sites without services. Other items commonly hired alongside include water tanks, fencing, gates, hoardings and waste bins.
02 / Planning facilities for crew numbers
Work health and safety laws require employers and persons conducting a business or undertaking to provide adequate facilities for workers, including toilets, drinking water, hand washing, eating areas and shelter. Safe Work Australia's model Code of Practice on managing the work environment and facilities provides guidance on the number and type of facilities based on workforce size, and states and territories may have their own codes or requirements. Check the current guidance in your jurisdiction when planning.
Consider peak crew numbers, not averages, and whether male and female facilities are needed. Plan for subcontractors, visitors and supervisors. Accessibility requirements may apply for some sites or projects. Crib room size should allow workers to sit and eat in comfort, sheltered from weather. For long projects, consider staged facilities that expand as the workforce grows, then scale back during finishing trades.
03 / Services, connection and maintenance
Most site buildings need power, water and sewer connections. Power may come from a temporary builder's supply, a generator or solar and battery systems. Water can be connected from mains or supplied through tanks, and sewer can connect to mains or holding tanks that require regular pump-outs. Connections should be completed by licensed electricians and plumbers. Air conditioning and heating improve comfort and may be important in extreme climates.
Maintenance is a significant consideration. Portable toilets and holding tanks need regular servicing, typically weekly or more often depending on use. Cleaning of crib rooms and ablutions may be included or arranged separately. Check how often services are scheduled, what the cost is for additional services, and who is responsible for consumables such as toilet paper, soap and hand towels.
04 / Delivery, placement and permits
Site buildings are usually delivered on tilt trays or trucks with cranes, and larger modules may require a crane for placement. Plan access for the delivery vehicle, including gate widths, overhead clearance and ground strength. Buildings need level, firm ground, often with packing or blocks, and tie-downs in areas with high winds or cyclone ratings. Stacked buildings require engineering and safe access.
Placing buildings on footpaths, roads or public land usually requires council permits, and some councils require approval for temporary structures on private land depending on size and duration. Check for overhead powerlines and underground services at the placement location, particularly where a crane truck will be slewing a module into position. Placement also shapes site logistics for months, so keep amenities clear of crane load paths, excavation zones and truck routes, and position them where workers can reach them without crossing active plant areas.
05 / Costs and supplier considerations
Site accommodation is usually hired weekly or monthly, and the rental rate is often the smaller part of the bill. Delivery, crane placement, installation, levelling, removal and end-of-hire cleaning are commonly charged separately. Further costs can include service connections, furniture packs, extra air conditioners, pump-outs, toilet servicing, consumables, damage and extended hire periods. Ask about minimum hire terms and whether long-term rates apply after a set number of weeks. For regional and remote sites, transport of each module can be a major cost, so confirm it per building rather than as a lump sum.
Condition varies widely between fleets, so ask for photos of the actual units rather than catalogue images. Buildings should arrive clean, with working doors, locks, lighting, power outlets and air conditioning, and with current electrical test documentation. Find out who fixes a blocked toilet or failed air conditioner and how quickly they attend, because amenities problems affect the whole crew. For large projects, check that the supplier can deliver multiple matching modules, engineer stacked complexes and run a regular servicing schedule across the full service area and lead time you need.
Field checklist
- Estimate peak crew numbers, including subcontractors and visitors.
- Check the model Code of Practice and state requirements for facilities.
- Confirm power, water and sewer availability or plan tanks and generators.
- Plan delivery access, crane needs and level ground for placement.
- Check council permits for placement on public land.
- Confirm servicing schedules for toilets and holding tanks.
- Clarify delivery, installation, removal and cleaning charges.
Frequently asked questions
How many toilets does a construction site need?
The number depends on the workforce size and gender mix. Safe Work Australia's model Code of Practice on managing the work environment and facilities provides guidance on ratios, and states and territories may have their own requirements. Consider peak crew numbers and ensure facilities are accessible and regularly serviced.
Do I need a permit to put a site shed on the footpath?
Usually yes. Placing site buildings on footpaths, roads or other public land generally requires a council permit, and conditions may cover pedestrian access, lighting, hoardings and hours of placement. A road occupancy approval and traffic control may also be needed for the delivery itself. Check with your local council before booking delivery so the truck is not turned away.
Can site sheds be used without mains water and sewer?
Yes. Self-contained units can use water tanks and holding tanks that are pumped out regularly. Power can come from generators or solar and battery systems. These arrangements suit remote sites or early stages before services are connected, but servicing costs and frequency should be included in planning.
What sizes do site sheds come in?
Common sizes include around 6 m × 3 m and 12 m × 3 m, with fit-outs for offices, crib rooms, toilets or change rooms. Larger complexes combine multiple modules or stack buildings. Ask the supplier for floor plans and dimensions to match your site layout and crew numbers.