A 1–2 t mini excavator suits narrow access (around 0.8–1.3 m wide) and landscaping, while a 2.5–3.5 t machine digs faster for footings, pools and service trenches. Dry hire is typically $250–$400 per day for a 1.7 t machine plus delivery. Book the buckets and any auger or breaker with the machine, and lodge a Before You Dig Australia enquiry before you start.
Which size mini excavator?
"Mini" covers machines from under 1 tonne up to about 3.5 tonnes, and the difference between the ends of that range is large. A 1–1.2 t micro excavator is built for gaps and backyards; a 1.7–1.8 t machine is the all-rounder most hire yards carry in volume; a 2.5–3.5 t machine digs deeper, lifts more and fills a tipper noticeably faster.
Choose the smallest size that fits through your narrowest point and still reaches your deepest trench. If you have room for the larger machine, it will usually finish the job in fewer days, which often outweighs its higher day rate.
- Under 1.2 t — very narrow access, garden beds, irrigation, internal renovations
- 1.5–2 t — footings, plumbing and electrical trenches, small pools, fence posts with an auger
- 2.5–3.5 t — house-site trenches, pools, driveways, loading tippers, light rock breaking
Measure the access first
Many 1.5–1.8 t machines have retractable (expanding) tracks that narrow to about 1 m for travel and widen for stability while digging. Measure every gate, side passage and path between the kerb and the dig, including height clearance under eaves, pergolas and trees.
Tell the supplier what the machine will track over. Rubber tracks are standard on minis and are kind to paving, but turfed lawns, soft soil and irrigated beds still mark. Ask for ground protection mats if you need to cross a finished surface.
Attachments that make or break the job
A mini excavator is only as useful as the tool on the end. Book attachments with the machine so they arrive on the same delivery—adding one later usually means another transport charge.
- Trenching buckets (150–450 mm) for services and footings
- Mud or batter bucket for clean-up, levelling and shaping
- Tilt bucket for batters and drainage falls
- Auger drive and bits for post holes and piers
- Hydraulic hammer (rock breaker) for sandstone, concrete and footings
- Ripper tooth for hard clay and roots
Dry hire or with an operator?
Dry hire suits owner-builders and trades who are confident operators and have a week or more of intermittent digging. You take responsibility for safe operation, daily checks, fuel and damage, so read the damage waiver carefully.
Wet hire (with an operator) is usually charged hourly with a minimum, often 4 hours. It is frequently cheaper on a one- or two-day job because an experienced operator digs to line and level quickly and knows how to work near services and structures.
Delivery, services and safety
Minis travel on a tilt tray, tag trailer or the hire company's own truck. Delivery and pick-up is charged each way and on a one-day hire can cost as much as the machine. Some yards offer towable trailers so you can collect a small machine yourself—check your vehicle's towing capacity and the combined trailer mass first.
Lodge a free Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) enquiry and locate services before digging. Keep people outside the swing radius, never lift loads over people, and remember that trenches deeper than 1.5 m bring additional WHS duties including shoring or benching and a safe work method statement.
| Class | Approx. width | Dig depth | Indicative dry hire |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8–1.2 t micro | 0.7 – 0.9 m | 1.5 – 1.8 m | $220 – $350 / day |
| 1.5–1.8 t | 0.98 – 1.3 m (expanding tracks) | 2.2 – 2.4 m | $250 – $400 / day |
| 2.5–3.5 t | 1.45 – 1.7 m | 2.6 – 3.2 m | $320 – $500 / day |
| 5 t (midi) | 1.9 – 2.0 m | 3.3 – 3.6 m | $400 – $650 / day |
Indicative 2026 metro ranges ex GST, excluding delivery, fuel, damage waiver and attachments. Specifications vary by make and model—confirm with the supplier.
Find excavator & earthmoving hire suppliers
Compare listed suppliers, machine classes and local conditions in the excavator & earthmoving hire guide, or go straight to your state:
Common questions
How much does it cost to hire a mini excavator?
In metropolitan areas a 1.5–1.8 t mini excavator typically dry hires for about $250–$400 per day and a 3 t machine for about $320–$500 per day, excluding GST, delivery, fuel and damage waiver. Weekly rates are usually around three to four times the daily rate.
Do I need a licence to operate a mini excavator?
No High Risk Work Licence exists for excavators in Australia, but you must be competent to operate one safely. Commercial sites usually ask for a verification of competency or an RII unit, plus a White Card for construction work.
Can a mini excavator fit through a standard side gate?
Many 1–1.8 t machines travel at about 0.7–1 m wide, so they fit through most side gates and passages. Measure the narrowest point, including height under eaves and trees, and give the supplier the figure.
Can I tow a mini excavator myself?
Some hire yards offer a 1–1.8 t machine on a trailer. The combined mass can exceed 2.5 t, so check your vehicle's towing capacity, tow ball rating and brake controller before agreeing to collect it.
What size mini excavator do I need for a pool?
A 2.5–3.5 t machine suits most residential pools where access allows. Where access is under about 1.5 m, a 1.7–1.8 t machine will do it, more slowly, often paired with a skid steer or tip truck to move spoil.