INDEPENDENT AUSTRALIAN MACHINERY PRICE DATA
EVERY CHECK DATED · NO DEALER PAYS TO CHANGE A NUMBER

0.8-1.4t · Melbourne dry day rates · verified 2026

Illustration of a 1 tonne mini excavator (Micro Excavator (1 Tonne) hire, Melbourne)

Micro Excavator (1 Tonne) Hire Rates in Melbourne

Dry hire in Melbourne runs $200–$282 a day — typical $225, aggregated from 3 independent sources and verified . Rates cover the 1-tonne class (0.8-1.4t).

Dry hire
machine only — you operate
$225/day typical
$200 to $282 a day, cheapest to dearest of 3 sources
3 sources · verified

Before you book in Melbourne

Use the published rates as a starting point. Ask the hire company to confirm:

  • The machine size, site access and attachments included in the quote.
  • Whether the total includes GST, delivery and collection, fuel, cleaning and any damage waiver.
  • The hire period, included operating hours, extra-hour charges and any deposit.

HeavyBook publishes rate guides. Confirm availability and the full job cost directly with the hire company.

Thinking about buying instead?

A buy-versus-hire comparison needs a verified purchase price as well as a published hire rate. We do not yet have the verified price evidence for this class, so a breakeven is not available here.

About the buy vs hire calculator →

Micro Excavator (1 Tonne) Hire Melbourne FAQ

How much does it cost to hire a micro excavator (1 tonne) in Melbourne?
Dry hire in Melbourne runs $200–$282 a day, with a typical rate of $225 — aggregated from 3 sources, verified .
What is the difference between dry hire and wet hire?
Dry hire is the machine only — you operate it yourself. Wet hire includes an operator, so it costs more but covers licensing, skill and liability. We don't publish wet rates yet: wet hire is usually quoted job by job, and not enough hirers publish a wet rate to clear our three-source gate.
Where do these rates come from?
3 independent sources for Melbourne — published rate pages and direct quotes — aggregated to a median. We never publish a rate without showing its source count.
How do I pay less to hire a micro excavator (1 tonne)?
Weekly hire beats day-by-day if the job runs long, independents often undercut the national chains, and delivery fees change the real total — always compare the delivered price. If your usage is regular, run the buy-vs-hire numbers before signing another hire docket.

Compare & Related

Micro Excavator (1 Tonne) hire — all citiesBuy vs hire calculatorAll hire rates

How we rate. Hire figures are aggregated (median) from independent operators' published rates and direct quotes. A class and city publishes only with three or more independent sources, and every rate shows its source count. Rates are indicative — confirm the delivered price with the hirer. Full methodology →

3 Sources
Verified