Excavator
hire rates.
Indicative wet and dry hire rates per hour for every common excavator size, from 1.5 tonne minis to 50 tonne civil machines — with day rates and honest notes on what moves the price.
Excavator hire rates in Australia
Excavators are priced by the hour, by size class, in two forms: dry hire (machine only — you fuel it and put your own operator in the seat) and wet hire (operator and fuel included). The table below gives indicative benchmark rates for the common civil sizes from 1.5 to 50 tonne — the same data behind our free machine hire rate calculator.
Indicative hire rates
| Size | Dry hire | Wet hire* | Wet day (8 hr)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 Ton | $7/hr | $85–$100/hr | $680–$800 |
| 3 Ton | $11/hr | $90–$105/hr | $720–$840 |
| 5 Ton | $15/hr | $105–$120/hr | $820–$940 |
| 8 Ton | $23/hr | $115–$130/hr | $910–$1,030 |
| 12 Ton | $32/hr | $135–$155/hr | $1,090–$1,250 |
| 13 Ton | $33/hr | $140–$160/hr | $1,110–$1,270 |
| 23 Ton | $47/hr | $175–$195/hr | $1,390–$1,550 |
| 30 Ton | $58/hr | $205–$225/hr | $1,630–$1,790 |
| 35 Ton | $71/hr | $225–$245/hr | $1,810–$1,970 |
| 48 Ton | $102/hr | $280–$300/hr | $2,260–$2,420 |
| 50 Ton | $110/hr | $295–$315/hr | $2,370–$2,530 |
Dry hire is the machine only; wet hire includes operator and fuel. Wet hire shown at $2.00/L diesel and a typical operator rate band for the machine — put your own fuel price and operator rate into the machine hire calculator for an exact figure. Indicative benchmarks, ex GST, guide only.
Which size does what
1.5–3 tonne mini excavators handle tight access, backyards, and shallow service trenches — they fit through gates and tow behind a ute. 5 tonne is the general-purpose utility machine for shallow water and sewer connections. 8–13 tonne is the civil workhorse band: mains trenching, pit excavation, bedding and backfill at production pace. 23–30 tonne steps up to deep sewer, bulk earthworks and rock hammer work. 35–50 tonne is major civil territory — deep shafts, heavy rock, mass excavation — where float costs and ground bearing start driving the decision as much as the dig itself.
Rates move with attachments (rock breakers, augers and tilt hitches are charged extra), float and travel each way, minimum engagement periods, and site conditions. Regional work often carries travel and accommodation loadings on the operator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 13 tonne excavator cost per hour?
As an indicative benchmark, a 13 tonne excavator runs about $33/hr dry hire, or roughly $140–$160/hr wet hire with an operator and fuel included — around $1,110–$1,270 for an 8 hour day. Attachments, float and travel are extra.
What is the difference between wet hire and dry hire?
Dry hire is the machine only — you supply the operator and fuel. Wet hire includes an operator and fuel in the hourly rate. Wet hire costs more per hour but transfers productivity and operating risk to the supplier, which is why most short-term civil hire is wet.
How much is excavator hire per day?
Multiply the wet rate by the shift length. A 5 tonne machine at $105–$120/hr runs about $820–$940 for an 8 hour day; a 30 tonne at $205–$225/hr is about $1,630–$1,790. Minimum engagements of 4–8 hours are common, and float each way is charged on top.
What size excavator do I need for trenching?
For water and sewer trench in normal ground, 8–13 tonne is the workhorse band — enough breakout for DN100–DN375 pipe at typical depths while staying transportable. Go 20–30 tonne for deep sewer, rock hammers, or bulk excavation, and 1.5–5 tonne only for tight access and shallow services.
More rate guides: tipper trucks, dump trucks, water carts, rollers, loaders, graders, dozers, scrapers, asphalt pavers, asphalt profilers, backhoes & skid steers. Or price any of 93 machines in the machine hire rate calculator.
Pricing the whole job?
Machine rates are one line in a real estimate. For water, sewer or stormwater work priced end to end, send the drawings. Acknowledged within two hours during AEST business.