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4.5-5.5t · dry day rates · verified 2026

5 Tonne Excavator Hire Rates — What It Really Costs

Rates below cover the 5-tonne class (4.5-5.5t).

The published dry day rate for a mini excavator 5t is $382 in the one city live so far — every figure aggregated from independent sources and shown with its source count. Verified 5 July 2026.

Rates by City

Melbourne $382 /day dry 3 sources · verified 5 July 2026

What a Job Actually Costs

Machine hire only, at the Melbourne typical dry rate of $382/day shown above — each row states the days it assumes, so adjust for your site.

Site cut for a slab or shed pad1–2 days$382–$764
Pool excavation with open access1–2 days$382–$764
Driveway cut and boxing1–2 days$382–$764
Retaining wall with drainage behind it2–3 days$764–$1,146

Totals cover the machine at the day rate only — delivery/float, an operator, fuel, attachments and materials are extra, and week-plus hires usually negotiate below the day rate. Ground conditions and access change everything; treat these as a starting budget, not a quote.

Hiring every month? Run the numbers.

Past a certain usage, owning a 5 tonne excavator beats hiring one — the breakeven depends on the hire rate on this page and what the machine actually costs to buy. This class covers machines like the Cat 305 CR , the Kobelco SK55SRX , the Kubota U55-4 , the SANY SY50U and the Takeuchi TB350R — its price guide shows what buying really costs.

Buy vs hire calculator →

5 Tonne Excavator Hire FAQ

How much does it cost to hire a 5 tonne excavator in Australia?
The published dry day rate is $382 in the one city live so far, verified 5 July 2026. Its rate card below shows the sources behind it — more cities publish as they clear the three-source gate.
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. Where hirers publish wet rates for a 5 tonne excavator, we show them alongside the dry rate.
Where do these hire rates come from?
Independent hire operators' published rates and direct quotes, aggregated per city. A city only publishes once we hold at least three independent sources for it — the source count is shown on every rate.
How do I pay less to hire a 5 tonne excavator?
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

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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 →

1 City
5 JULY 2026 Verified