The Bunnings possum box costs around $50 and is the most popular commercial possum box in Australia. It works in some situations — but it fails more often than it succeeds because of three common problems that most people do not know about until after they have installed it.

This is an honest review. The Bunnings box can work for ringtail possums installed at the right height in the right location. But if you have a brushtail possum — which is the species most commonly found in Australian roofs — or if you install it at the wrong height, it will sit empty.

Here is what you need to know before you buy one.

What the Bunnings Possum Box Is

The Bunnings possum box is a pre-assembled wooden nest box sold at Bunnings Warehouse stores across Australia. It is made from untreated pine, has a sloping roof, a hinged inspection lid, and a 70 mm entrance hole. The retail price is approximately $50. Boxes similar to the Bunnings model are also sold at other hardware stores and online retailers under different brand names but with the same basic design.

When the Bunnings Box Works

The Bunnings box works when all of the following conditions are met:

• Target species is ringtail possum. The 70 mm entrance is correct for ringtail possums. If the box is intended for ringtails, the entrance size is fine.
• Installed at 4 metres or higher. Most people cannot reach 4 metres with a standard ladder. If you have the equipment to install it at the correct height, the box has a reasonable chance of being accepted.
• Facing north to north-east. If you install it facing the right direction, the box stays warm and dry.
• Scent conditioned. If you place nesting material from the possum's existing den inside the box, it triggers territorial recognition.

In this specific scenario, the Bunnings box is a functional product at a reasonable price point.

When the Bunnings Box Fails

The Bunnings box fails for three specific reasons, and these failures account for the vast majority of empty Bunnings possum boxes across Australia.

Wrong Installation Height

The box needs to be at least 4 metres high, ideally 5–6 metres. Most people install it at 1–2 metres because that is as high as they can reach standing on the ground or on a step ladder. A possum box at head height will not be accepted. The possum feels exposed to predators, and the box is within reach of dogs and children.

Wrong Entrance Size for Brushtails

The standard Bunnings box comes with a 70 mm entrance hole. This is the correct size for ringtail possums but too small for brushtail possums, which need 120 mm. If you have a brushtail — and chances are you do, since brushtails are the species that most commonly occupy roof cavities — the Bunnings box will physically exclude the animal that needs it most.

No Scent Conditioning

A brand new Bunnings box smells like pine and plywood. Possums do not move into boxes that smell like a hardware store. The box needs to be scent conditioned with the possum's own nesting material or dried native leaves to feel familiar. Most people do not know this, so the box sits empty indefinitely.

There are also minor issues — the untreated pine timber weathers relatively quickly in Australian sun, the roof can warp after 12–18 months, and the hinge on the inspection lid rusts in coastal areas. But the three issues above are the main reasons the box fails.

What to Do Instead

If you already own a Bunnings possum box, it may still work if you install it at the right height (4 metres minimum), face it north to north-east, and use scent conditioning. If you have a brushtail possum, you can enlarge the entrance hole to 120 mm with a hole saw.

If you want a box that is guaranteed to work for your specific species and situation, professional-grade possum boxes are built to the correct specifications and installed at the right height by experienced operators. See our complete possum box guide for full specifications and installation details.

Professional possum box installation services include species identification, correct box selection, installation at the required height, and scent conditioning. For homeowners in Melbourne, licensed operators in Melbourne can handle the full process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Bunnings possum box work?

It can work for ringtail possums when installed at the correct height (4 metres minimum), facing north to north-east, and scent conditioned with familiar nesting material. It often fails for brushtail possums because the 70 mm entrance hole is too small — brushtails need 120 mm.

Can I modify a Bunnings possum box for brushtail possums?

Yes. You can enlarge the entrance hole to 120 mm using a hole saw. You should also sand the edges smooth to prevent injury. Make sure the box is installed at 4–6 metres and faced north to north-east for the best chance of acceptance.

Why is my Bunnings possum box empty?

The most common reasons are: the box is installed too low (below 4 metres), the entrance is too small for the target species, the box is facing the wrong direction, or it has not been scent conditioned. Check these four factors before moving the box.