Excavator Hire Rates

Legally, you do not need a specific excavator licence in Australia to operate an excavator. Excavators fall under earthmoving plant (EPC), which no longer requires a plant-specific licence. However, you must be able to demonstrate “competency”, meaning you can operate the machine safely and correctly.

Residential & private property use

If you are hiring an excavator for a small residential or agricultural job on your own property, you generally only need a current driver’s licence. A hire company may still refuse to hand over the machine if they believe you don’t have the skills to use it safely - especially with anything larger than a 1.7-3t mini excavator.

Commercial or construction sites

For civil or commercial works, the duty of care sits with the PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking). The PCBU must verify that any operator is competent. This can be shown through:

• Previous tickets or statements of attainment
• Formal training (e.g. RIIMPO320F Conduct Civil Construction Excavator Operations)
• Demonstrated experience on other projects
• Practical assessment on site

A “ticket” isn’t mandatory by law, but proof of competency is.

When you do need additional licences

If excavator work involves high-risk activities, such as demolition, asbestos zones, or working around cranes, hoists or confined spaces, a separate High Risk Work Licence may apply in addition to plant competency.

In short:

• No excavator licence is required

Learn more about excavator licensing here: https://blog.iseekplant.com.au/blog/do-you-need-a-licence-to-operate-an-excavator

How much does it cost to hire an excavator per day?

Excavator hire in Australia is usually priced by the hour, but most suppliers will convert this into a “day rate” based on 8-10 hours of use. As a guide, dry hire (machine only) typically works out to $400-$1,500+ per day, while wet hire (machine with an operator) generally ranges from $1,000-$2,500+ per day, depending on size.

Typical excavator costs by hire type

• Dry hire: $50-$180 per hour (≈ $400-$1,500 per day)
• Wet hire: $130-$295 per hour (≈ $1,000-$2,500 per day)
• Large civil and specialist excavators fitted with heavy attachments can be significantly more, and in some cases exceed $2,000 per hour on complex jobs.

What affects the final day rate?

The two biggest factors are machine size and whether you need an operator. Location, transport to site, minimum hire periods, and attachments (such as augers or rock breakers) can add to the total cost. You may also see mobilisation fees, fuel charges, or delivery and pick-up costs listed separately.

Why rates vary so much on iseekplant

Rates vary widely because every jobsite is different. iseekplant hosts more than 4,700 excavators from over 2,800 suppliers nationwide, which means you can match the exact size, spec and hire type you need - without paying more than necessary to move a machine from outside your area.

For accurate pricing, it’s always best to request quotes from multiple local suppliers. You can do this in minutes using our Get a Quote tool, which sends your job details to nearby operators who respond with availability and rates.

Get a Quote on iseekplant

1.7 Tonne (Mini Excavator) - 3 Tonne - Backyards and Tight Access

A 1.7t excavator is ideal for residential jobs where space is limited, such as garden makeovers, small retaining walls and pool or spa digs in backyards. They are light, easy to manoeuvre, and fit through narrow side access.

3-5 Tonne - Footings, Trenches and Light Civil Works

A 3-5t excavator delivers more digging depth and lifting power without losing agility. This size is well suited to digging trenches and footings, installing services, drainage work and general small-to-medium civil projects.

8-14 Tonne - Bulk Earthmoving and Construction Sites

An 8-14t excavator is the go-to size for larger residential and commercial projects where more reach, breakout force and productivity are needed. They are commonly used on bulk earthworks, demolition, roadworks and general construction sites.

How Excavator Sizes Are Grouped on iseekplant

On iseekplant, excavators are grouped into useful size brackets based on operational weight. This lets you search for a range instead of a single model, making it easier to match power, reach and footprint to your job. Common brackets include 1-3.4t, 3.5-5.4t, 5.5-7.9t, 8-11.9t, 12-14.9t, and 15-19t, before stepping up in 10-tonne increments from 20t to 100t and beyond. Most civil and residential work sits in the 1-40t range, where iseekplant lists thousands of excavators for hire across Australia.

When should I choose a tracked excavator over other machines?

You should choose a tracked excavator when the ground is soft, wet, uneven or unstable, or when you need maximum traction, stability and digging force. Tracks spread the machine’s weight over a larger surface area, which lowers ground pressure and stops the excavator sinking or bogging in muddy or loose soil.

Situations where a tracked excavator is the better choice

Soft or wet ground Tracks “float” over clay, mud, sand and disturbed soil where tyres would sink or spin. This makes them ideal after rain or on greenfield sites.

Steep or uneven terrain The lower centre of gravity and grip from the tracks give better stability on slopes or uneven ground, reducing the risk of tipping.

Tight swing room Tracked excavators can counter-rotate on the spot, which is useful on small civil sites or trenches where you don’t have the turning circle for a wheeled machine.

Heavier digging force Tracked machines deliver more breakout force and are better for tough materials, deep digs and bulk earthworks.

When not to choose a tracked excavator

A wheeled excavator is often more suitable if you are working on asphalt, concrete or finished surfaces (to avoid track damage), or if you need to travel longer distances on site at speed.

In short - Choose tracked when:

• Soft / boggy ground
• Slopes or unstable terrain
• High digging power needed
• Minimal swing room
• Choose wheeled when:
• Hard, finished surfaces
• Long travel distances on site
• Working in streets or urban areas

The amount an excavator can dig in a day depends on its bucket capacity, the speed of each digging cycle, and how many productive hours it actually works. As a rule of thumb, a typical excavator can dig anywhere from 270 m³ to 760 m³ per day, but larger machines in ideal conditions can exceed this.

The basic formula for estimating dig volume

You can estimate daily production using:

Bucket capacity (m³) × cycles per hour × working hours per day = total cubic metres dug per day

For example:

• A standard 1 m³ bucket**
• Completing 120 cycles per hour (≈ 2 per minute)
• With 6 productive digging hours in an 8-hour shift:

*** 1 × 120 × 6 = 720 m³ in a day**

What affects how much you can dig?

• Bucket size & excavator size – the bigger the bucket, the more material per cycle.
• Ground conditions – rock, clay or saturated soils slow productivity, loose sandy fill is fastest.
• Operator skill – experienced operators shave seconds off every cycle, compounding into large daily gains.
• Site layout – short swing distances and minimal repositioning = far higher output.

Quick reference examples

Excavator size Typical bucket Estimated daily output

• 1–3t mini 0.3–0.5 m³ 150–350 m³
• 5–8t 0.5–0.8 m³ 250–500 m³
• 8–14t 0.8–1.2 m³ 400–750 m³

To get a more accurate estimate for your specific job (soil type, access, travel distance, etc.), it’s best to speak directly with suppliers. When you submit a job on iseekplant, local operators will respond with both rates and likely production output based on conditions they know in your area. Get a quote now

Is it cheaper to rent an excavator or hire a contractor (wet hire) for a small residential job?

For most small residential jobs, such as driveway prep, stump or root ball removal, or trenching for services, it is usually cheaper overall to hire a service-based contractor (wet hire) rather than renting the machine and doing it yourself.

This is because a professional operator will complete the work far faster and with fewer mistakes, while the cost of hire alone doesn’t reflect the true time and learning cost of DIY. In Australian construction, with the cost of labour and inputs, time = money.

Why wet hire often works out cheaper

Even on simple jobs, a good operator can achieve in 1-2 hours what a novice may take an entire day to learn and complete, sometimes longer if the material is hard, roots are deep, or services are in the way.

When dry hiring can be cheaper

Dry hire is only more economical when:

• You already know how to operate an excavator safely, and
• You have the time to do the job yourself, and
• The work is straightforward with low risk of damaging utilities or property.
• For everyone else, paying for a contractor with a machine is both cheaper and safer.

For small residential projects, wet hire is almost always the better-value option for the inexperienced excavator operator, because you are paying for speed, accuracy and experience, not just a machine. If you’re unsure, you can request quotes from multiple local operators for comparison using iseekplant’s Get a Quote tool, and you’ll see quickly that labour plus machine is often still cheaper than a novice with a dry hire unit.

How do I compare excavator hire quotes fairly?

To compare excavator hire quotes fairly, you need to look beyond the hourly rate and make sure each supplier is quoting on the same basis - same minimum hours, same attachments, same transport costs, and the same working conditions. A cheaper headline rate can easily become the more expensive option once all the extras are added.

Key cost items you should always clarify

Minimum hours Most wet hire quotes require a minimum of 4-8 hours, even if the job only takes two. A lower hourly rate but a long minimum often costs more overall.

Delivery and pick-up (float fees) Transport can range from $120 for a mini within suburbia to $600+ each way for a civil-sized machine. Always confirm distance-based charges.

Attachments Buckets are usually included, but augers, grabs, rock hammers and GPS guidance are often extra. They may be charged per hour or per day, so make sure you’re comparing like-for-like.

Stand-down / idle time If weather, other trades or site delays stop work, some operators charge a stand-down rate to keep the machine on site. Check how this is calculated.

After-hours / weekends Overtime applies on Saturdays, Sundays, nights and public holidays. Clarify what “standard hours” means in the quote.

Cleaning / fuel Some suppliers charge cleaning if the machine returns muddy, and many require you to return it fuelled. For wet hire, fuel is usually included.

The bottom line

A dry hire quote (machine only) can appear far cheaper, but if you then need to find an operator separately, the total cost is often higher than a single all-in wet hire rate. Wet hire also avoids insurance and damage liability headaches.

The fair way to compare quotes is to ask each supplier to price the same thing: same hire duration, same attachments, same transport, same working hours. When everything is itemised, the best value quote is often not the cheapest hourly rate, it’s the one with the fewest add-ons and clearer inclusions. Get-A-Quote

It depends on the supplier and the size of the machine. Many suppliers will allow self-operation (dry hire) for mini and small excavators, provided you hold a valid driver’s licence and can show you are competent to operate the machine. However, if you have no track record or experience, most will insist on wet hire (machine + operator).

For larger excavators, suppliers are more cautious. Dry hire is usually only permitted where there is a PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) on site who accepts responsibility for the safe operation of the plant and has the correct insurance in place. Newer or high-value machines are also more likely to be wet hire only.

• Mini excavators (1–5t): Often available dry hire for competent users
• Mid-sized excavators: Dry hire only if you can show experience/competency
• Large civil excavators: Usually wet hire unless a PCBU takes responsibility

Yes - excavators are one of the most effective tools for removing tree stumps, especially when fitted with a ripper tooth attachment. The ripper tooth concentrates force at a single point, breaking through roots and compacted ground before the bucket lifts the stump out.

What size excavator do I need to remove my tree stump?

The size of the stump usually dictates the size of the excavator:

• Small garden shrubs & young trees: Mini excavator (1-3t). Works in tight spaces and easily breaks shallow roots
• Medium stumps with deeper roots: 3-6t excavator. More breakout force for thicker, established root balls
• Large or hardwood stumps: 8t+ excavator. Heavier machine needed to lever the stump and lift it clear

Attachments make the biggest difference

A stump can be ripped out with a standard bucket, but it is far faster and cleaner using:

• A ripper tooth (to break roots)
• Then the bucket (to lever and lift)
• Then a chipper to break it up and remove

Things to consider before removing a stump

• Access: Larger machines may not fit in tight backyards.
• Ground conditions: Wet, clay-heavy soil increases the power required.
• Utilities: Always check for underground services before you dig.
• Disposal: Some hire companies can remove the stump from site; others leave it to you.

Excavators are incredibly versatile machines and can do far more than just digging holes. With the right attachment fitted, a single excavator can handle multiple stages of a job, from breaking ground through to final clean-up.

Common jobs excavators are used for include:

• Digging and trenching for plumbing, services, pools and footings
• Bulk earthmoving and loading trucks
• Removing tree stumps and roots
• Landscaping and site levelling
• Lifting and placing materials (rocks, beams, pipes)
• Demolition and breaking concrete or rock
• Road and driveway preparation
• Cleaning up spoil and stockpiles

Attachments change what an excavator can do

Buckets are only the start - swapping attachments can turn the same excavator into a rock breaker, post hole digger, demolition tool or compactor. Popular attachments include:

• Ripper tooth for roots and hard ground
• Auger for post or pier holes
• Rock breaker for concrete or rock
• Tilt or batter bucket for finishing and grading
• Grab for handling logs, debris or materials
• Compaction wheel or plate for backfilling
• One machine, many applications

Because they can switch between heavy digging, precision handling and final trim work, excavators are commonly used across residential, civil and commercial projects. This is why they are one of the most frequently hired machines in Australia.

Yes - Chinese-brand excavators are worth considering for hire, especially for light and medium-duty work, because they are cheaper to run and buy, which means suppliers can pass on lower hire rates. For most residential and small civil jobs, the performance difference is negligible. The “catch” usually isn’t about capability - it’s about parts, dealer support and downtime risk.

Why suppliers hire Chinese excavators out

Chinese excavators have improved dramatically in the last decade and are now common in Australian hire fleets because:

• They are cheaper to purchase, so day rates can be lower
• Modern models have decent hydraulics and comfort
• For minis (1-6 tonne) they perform very similarly to Kubota/Takeuchi/Bobcat equivalents

What are the downsides?

• Parts & servicing: Some brands have slower parts supply in Australia, so downtime can be longer if something breaks
• Dealer network: Not as comprehensive as the major Japanese brands, so fewer local technicians
• Resale value: Doesn’t affect you directly when hiring, but it affects whether a supplier keeps them long-term or replaces them often

When are Chinese excavators a smart hire?

• Mini or small excavators for landscaping, trenching or stump work
• Short-term jobs where a lower rate is more important than brand prestige
• When grunt, not ergonomic perfection, is the priority

When suppliers may avoid them

Most Chinese machines in hire fleets tend to be smaller minis. For larger civil excavators, many suppliers stick with Caterpillar, Hitachi, Komatsu or Kubota because of warranty turnaround, parts availability and uptime expectations on big jobs.

Chinese excavators are absolutely worth hiring for small-to-mid sized work, and can be excellent value. The trade-off is not digging power - it’s after-sales support and downtime risk, which is why premium brands still dominate on bigger civil projects.

Excavator pricing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Suppliers set rates based on risk, productivity and logistics. The big levers are below - use them as a checklist when comparing quotes.

1) Hire type: wet vs dry

• Wet hire (with operator) costs more per hour, but you’re paying for speed, safety and less admin.
• Dry hire (machine only) is cheaper if you already have a competent operator and site cover.

2) Machine size & spec

• Bigger machines = higher base rate and transport cost.
• Premium specs (zero-swing, long-reach, GPS/UTS, quick-hitch, tier-4 engines) add to the rate.

3) Duration & minimums

• Most quotes include minimum hours (often 4-8h).
• Longer terms (weekly/monthly) usually attract 5-10% discounts; short, one-off shifts cost more.

4) Location, supply & demand

• Regional/remote jobs and tight markets price higher.
• Metro oversupply can mean sharper rates.

5) Mobilisation (delivery/pick-up)

• “Float” fees scale with distance, access and machine weight. Two-way charges are common; escorts may apply for oversize or peak-hour moves.

6) Attachments & add-ons

Buckets are typically included; augers, grabs, rock breakers, rippers, rock saws, GPS are extra (hourly or daily). Bundles can be cheaper than à-la-carte.

7) After-hours & overtime

Nights, weekends and public holidays attract loadings (especially wet hire) to cover award/EBAs, travel and supervision.

8) Site conditions & productivity

Ground type (rock, wet clay), access constraints, traffic control, services locating, inductions and permits slow production and lift effective cost.

9) Fuel, cleaning & consumables

Dry hire often excludes fuel and may charge cleaning on return. Wet hire usually includes fuel but may bill breaker steels, wear parts or saw blades.

10) Insurance, damage waiver & liability

Dry hire may require your own plant insurance and excess; some quotes include a damage waiver—check the excess and exclusions.

11) Stand-down, cancellations & weather

Clarify stand-down rates if the machine waits on site, plus cancellation/late-notice fees and wet-weather rules.

12) Competency & compliance

For dry hire or larger machines, suppliers may require a PCBU to assume responsibility, evidence of competent operators, and site-specific inductions/SWMS. Compliance time is billed in wet hire.

Quick comparison tip

Ask each supplier for a total cost for your shift:

• (hourly rate × expected hours) + transport + attachments + after-hours loadings + likely extras.
• This neutralises cheap headline rates with long minimums or heavy add-ons.

Get real numbers fast

Use iseekplant’s Get a Quote to ping your job to multiple local suppliers and compare like-for-like inclusions in minutes. Matching size, attachments and shift pattern upfront is the easiest way to save.

Buying an excavator only starts to make financial sense once you are using it often enough that the cost of hire exceeds the annual cost of ownership. For most small contractors, that threshold is reached at high utilisation (3-4+ days per week across most of the year) on similar types of jobs using the same size machine.

If your excavator use is occasional or project-to-project, hire is almost always cheaper.

Key trigger point: utilisation

• Occasional (a few jobs per month): Answer: Hire - You only pay when you need it; no storage or maintenance
• Regular but seasonal: Answer: Usually still Hire - Cheaper to swap machine sizes as jobs change
• Frequent (3-4+ days per week): Answer: Buy - Hire fees start to equal or exceed repayments
• Daily / core to your business: Answer: Buy - Ownership improves margins and availability

Why most small contractors continue hiring

Hiring avoids:

• Upfront capital cost
• Insurance, servicing, breakdowns & parts
• Storage and transport headaches
• Depreciation risk
• Being stuck with the wrong size machine
• It also gives flexibility - you can scale up to 8t one week and a 1.7t mini the next.

When buying can make sense

Buying becomes commercially viable when:

• You have consistent, repeat work for the same machine size
• You (or your team) are licensed/competent operators
• You have somewhere to store and maintain the machine
• You won’t need to swap sizes frequently
• You can keep utilisation high all year
• At that point, the excavator shifts from an operating cost to a margin-builder.

Rule of thumb

If the machine would otherwise be hired for more than 800-1,000 hours per year, ownership usually wins on cost.If it’s below that level - hiring remains financially smarter.

• Standard jobs: 2–5 days ahead
• Complex/specialist jobs: 7–14 days ahead
• Emergency work: suppliers may still supply same-day, but availability varies

If you're unsure, submitting the job through iseekplant using our Get-A-Quote Feature early locks in your spot and allows suppliers to confirm transport and attachment requirements before the start date.