Essential Bubble Tea Equipment List (Melbourne Setup Guide)
Published by Bubble Tea Hub · Links and editorial notes updated 4 November 2026.
Any quantities, prices, margins or setup budgets below are illustrative planning examples, not verified market averages or guaranteed results. Check current quotes, your recipes and the requirements for your own premises.
Opening a bubble tea shop in Melbourne requires the right equipment — but many new owners either buy too much or miss essential items.
This guide covers:
- Essential bubble tea equipment list
- Optional equipment (when to buy)
- Equipment cost breakdown
- Small shop vs large shop setup
- Melbourne-specific recommendations
This checklist is designed for new bubble tea shops, kiosks, and takeaway stores.
Essential Bubble Tea Equipment (Must Have)
These are the minimum equipment required to operate a bubble tea shop.
| Equipment | Required | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| POS system / order machine | Yes | $800–$2,500 |
| Hot water boiler / steam boiler | Yes | $800–$2,500 |
| Under bench fridge | Yes | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Ice machine | Yes | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Pearl Cooker or Induction Cooker | Yes | $300–$800 |
| Blender | Yes | $150–$500 |
| Small tools & utensils | Yes | $200–$800 |
Minimum setup cost: $5,000 – $15,000
POS System (Order Machine)
A POS system is essential for:
- taking orders
- tracking sales
- managing menu
- printing receipts
Typical POS setup includes:
- iPad POS
- cash drawer
- receipt printer
Cost: $800 – $2,500
Popular systems in Australia:
- Square POS
- Lightspeed
- Shopify POS
Even small takeaway stores should install a POS system.
Hot Water Boiler / Steam Boiler
Bubble tea requires constant hot water for:
- brewing tea
- dissolving powders
- making syrups
Typical capacity:
- Small shop:
10L – 20L boiler - Medium shop:
20L – 30L - Large shop:
30L+
Price range: $800 – $2,500
This is one of the most important machines.
Under Bench Fridge
Used to store:
- milk
- toppings
- fruit
- jelly
- tea
Recommended size:
- Small shop:
2 door fridge - Medium shop:
2–3 door
Price: $1,500 – $4,000
Ice Machine
Bubble tea uses large amounts of ice.
Recommended capacity:
- 100 cups/day:
40kg/day - 200 cups/day:
80kg/day - 500 cups/day:
200kg/day
Price:
$1,500 – $4,000
Most Melbourne bubble tea shops install 50kg machines.
Pearl cooker/Induction cooker
Required for:
- tapioca pearls cooking
- brown sugar tapioca pearls keeping warm
- jellies cooking
Cost: $300 – $800
Blender
Used for:
- smoothies
- slush drinks
- matcha drinks
- fruit blends
Commercial blender: $500 – $1,500
Start with 1 blender, add more when your shop gets busier.
Small Tools & Utensils
These are low cost but essential:
Measuring jugs
Tea filters
Tapioca scoops
Mixing spoons
Shaker cups
Cost: $200 – $800
Optional Bubble Tea Equipment (Can Buy Later)
These machines improve efficiency but are not essential.
| Equipment | Alternative | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Cup sealing machine | Cup + lid | $500–$1,500 |
| Fructose machine | Measuring cup | $600–$1,500 |
| Shaker machine | Hand shaking | $800–$2,000 |
| Automatic tea brewer | Manual brewing | $800–$3,000 |
| Topping display bar | Standard containers | $400–$1,200 |
| Cup dispenser | Shelf storage | $100–$300 |
You can operate fully without these at the beginning.
Cup Sealing Machine (Optional)
Many new shops assume sealing machine is required — but it's optional.
Alternative:
Use cups with lids.
Pros of using lids:
- cheaper startup
- flexible
- easier maintenance
When to buy sealing machine:
- high volume stores
- Uber or other food delivery stores
- branding focus
Cost: $500 – $1,500
Fructose Machine (Optional)
Used for:
- automatic sugar dispensing
- consistent sweetness
Alternative:
Use measuring cup.
Most small Melbourne stores start without fructose machine.
Cost: $600 – $1,500
Automatic Tea Brewer (Optional)
Brews tea automatically.
Alternative:
Manual tea brewing.
Manual brewing requires:
- tea bucket
- hot water
- timer
Cost:$800 – $3,000
Shaker Machine (Optional)
Automatic shaker improves speed.
Alternative:
Manual shaking.
Manual shaking is fine for:
- small shops
- low volume
- owner-operated stores
Shaker recommended when:
200+ cups per day
Cost: $800 – $2,000
Minimum Equipment Setup (Small Shop)
Recommended for takeaway shops:
POS system
hot water boiler
under bench fridge
ice machine
bench + sink
1 blender
small tools
Estimated cost: $6,000 – $10,000
Supports: 100–200 cups per day
Standard Equipment Setup (Medium Shop)
Add optional machines:
sealing machine
fructose machine
shaker machine
Total cost: $10,000 – $18,000
Supports: 200–500 cups per day
High Volume Shop Setup
Full equipment:
dual shaker
automatic sealer
fructose machine
large ice machine
multiple fridges
Total cost: $18,000 – $30,000
Supports: 500+ cups daily
Equipment Layout Recommendation
Best workflow:
Tea→Powder→Ice→Syrup→Sugar→Shake→Pour→Sealing→Serve
Ideal bench size: 1.2m minimum, 2.4m recommended
FAQ — Bubble Tea Equipment
What equipment do I need to open a bubble tea shop?
Minimum equipment:
- POS system
- hot water boiler
- fridge
- ice machine
- bench + sink
- blender
- tools
Optional:
- sealing machine
- shaker
- fructose machine
Do I need sealing machine?
It is optional. You can use cups with lids.
Many small Melbourne stores operate without sealing machines.
Do I need fructose machine?
It is optional. You can measure sugar manually using measuring cup for small volume shops.
How much does bubble tea equipment cost?
Minimum setup:
$5,000 – $10,000
Standard setup:
$10,000 – $18,000
Full setup:
$18,000 – $30,000
Can I open bubble tea shop without a tea brewing machine?
Yes.
Manual brewing works fine for: under 200 cups per day
What is most important equipment?
Most important:
POS
hot water boiler
ice machine
fridge
Read More
- First Stock Planning for New Stores
- Licensing & Food Registration Guide (Victoria)
- Melbourne Bubble Tea Shop Launch Blueprint
- Bubble Tea Startup Cost Breakdown