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 13 Oct 2026.

Rates by City

Melbourne $382 /day dry 3 sources · verified 13 Oct 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 pad 1–2 days $382–$764

Pool excavation with open access 1–2 days $382–$764

Driveway cut and boxing 1–2 days $382–$764

Retaining wall with drainage behind it 2–3 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.

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. This class covers machines like the Cat 305 CR , the Kobelco SK55SRX , the Kubota U55-4 , the SANY SY50U and the Takeuchi TB350R — check each guide for specs, buying checks and the available price evidence.

About the 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 13 Oct 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

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

13 OCT 2026 Verified