1.9-2.7t · Melbourne dry day rates · verified 2026

Skid Steer (Bobcat) Hire Rates in Melbourne

Dry hire in Melbourne typically costs $336 a day — the median of what independent operators publish, aggregated from 3 independent sources and verified 7 July 2026.

Dry hire

machine only — you operate

$336/day typical

3 sources · verified 7 July 2026

What a Job Actually Costs

Machine hire only, at the Melbourne typical dry rate of $336/day shown above — each row states the days it assumes, so adjust for your site.

Site clean-up and load-out1 day$336

Backfilling and spreading1–2 days$336–$672

Driveway boxing and gravel spreading1–2 days$336–$672

Bulk landscaping material moves1–2 days$336–$672

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 skid steer (bobcat) 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 ASV RT-50 , the Bobcat S450 , the Bobcat S70 , the Bobcat T590 , the Cat 262D3 , the Kubota SVL75-2 , the Takeuchi TL10V-2 and the Toyota Huski 5SDK8 — its price guide shows what buying really costs.

Buy vs hire calculator →

Skid Steer (Bobcat) Hire Melbourne FAQ

How much does it cost to hire a skid steer (bobcat) in Melbourne?

Dry hire in Melbourne typically costs $336 a day (the median of what independent operators publish) — aggregated from 3 sources, verified 7 July 2026.

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 skid steer (bobcat), we show them alongside the dry rate.

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 skid steer (bobcat)?

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 →

3 Sources

7 JULY 2026 Verified