Pricing is the single most-Googled question in earthmoving — and the single area where most operators refuse to be straight with you. This guide is the honest version. Every figure below comes from real jobs we've quoted, won, and delivered across South East Queensland through 2025 and into 2026. Rates are for Brisbane, Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast and surrounding hinterland — Caboolture, Caloundra, Maroochydore, Beerwah, Maleny, Noosa, Ipswich, Pine Rivers and Bribie Island.
Use it to sanity-check a quote, scope a budget for a development application, or work out whether forestry mulching or traditional clearing is actually the cheaper path on your block. We've kept everything in 2026 AUD, GST exclusive.
What Affects Earthmoving Pricing?
Seven variables drive almost every quote you'll receive in South East Queensland. Understanding them makes it obvious why two operators can quote the same job at $4,800 and $14,500 — both can be honest, they're just pricing different scopes.
- Machine size. A 1.7-tonne mini and a 20-tonne CAT 320 are different worlds. Bigger machines move dirt faster but cost more per hour and need bigger floats.
- Wet vs dry hire. Wet hire bundles the operator, fuel, insurance and maintenance. Dry hire is the machine only — cheaper per day, but you cover labour, fuel and risk.
- Site access. Tight gates, soft creek crossings, sloped driveways, no turnaround for the float — all add cost. We'd rather walk the site than guess.
- Vegetation density. Light grass and saplings mulch at 2–3× the rate of established lantana or woody regrowth.
- Waste handling. Mulch-in-place is cheap. Cart-and-tip costs $180–$320 per tipper load before tip fees.
- Travel / float. Each transport leg has real fuel, time and registration cost behind it.
- Job duration. Day rates beat hourly past 6–7 hours. Weekly rates beat daily past 3–4 days. Always ask both ways.
Machine Size Comparison
Picking the right machine is the single biggest cost lever. Too small and the job takes three times longer. Too big and the float, fuel and access prep eats your savings. This is the rough productivity and pricing map across the fleet we and most SEQ operators run.
| Machine | Tonnes | Best For | Productivity | Wet Hire / hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini excavator (1.7–2.5t) | 1.7–2.5 | Trenching, tight access, pool prep, plumbing | 8–14m³/hr loose soil | $110–$140 |
| 5-tonne excavator | 5.0 | Residential cuts, footings, post holes | 20–30m³/hr | $140–$180 |
| 8-tonne excavator | 8.0 | Driveways, small site cuts, fence lines | 35–50m³/hr | $170–$210 |
| CAT 289D3 skid steer | 4.4 | Mulching, levelling, attachments, tight access | Varies by attachment | $180–$220 |
| CAT 299D3 XE high-flow skid steer | 5.0 | Forestry mulching with HM518 head | 0.15–0.4 acres/hr | $260–$320 |
| 13-tonne excavator | 13 | Bulk earthmoving, large footings, dam prep | 60–90m³/hr | $190–$240 |
| CAT 320 (20t) | 20 | Bulk site cuts, large excavations, demolition | 100–160m³/hr | $220–$280 |
| CAT 966H wheel loader | 23 | Stockpile management, load-out, push-up | 180–250m³/hr | $240–$300 |
| 30-tonne+ excavator | 30+ | Civil, subdivision, bulk | 180–260m³/hr | $300–$380 |
Excavator Hire Rates — Brisbane & Sunshine Coast
Excavator hire is the most commonly quoted earthmoving service in SEQ. Wet hire is the default for anyone without a ticket; dry hire suits builders, ticketed owner-operators and longer-running civil jobs.
| Machine | Hourly | Half Day (4h) | Day (8h) | Week (5 days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7t mini | $110–$140 | $520–$620 | $960–$1,180 | $4,400–$5,400 |
| 5t | $140–$180 | $620–$760 | $1,150–$1,420 | $5,300–$6,400 |
| 8t | $170–$210 | $740–$880 | $1,360–$1,650 | $6,200–$7,400 |
| 13t | $190–$240 | $820–$1,000 | $1,520–$1,880 | $7,000–$8,600 |
| 20t CAT 320 | $220–$280 | $960–$1,180 | $1,760–$2,160 | $8,100–$9,900 |
| 30t+ | $300–$380 | $1,300–$1,600 | $2,400–$2,950 | $11,000–$13,500 |
| Machine | Day | Week | Month | Float each way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7t mini | $320–$420 | $1,300–$1,600 | $3,800–$4,800 | $220–$320 |
| 5t | $520–$680 | $2,100–$2,650 | $6,200–$7,800 | $300–$420 |
| 8t | $680–$880 | $2,700–$3,400 | $8,000–$10,200 | $380–$500 |
| 13t | $880–$1,100 | $3,500–$4,400 | $10,500–$13,200 | $450–$600 |
| 20t CAT 320 | $1,200–$1,500 | $4,800–$6,000 | $14,500–$18,000 | $550–$750 |
Dry hire requirements: licensed and ticketed operator (RIIMPO320F for excavators over 5t), public liability insurance ($10M minimum), plant insurance covering the replacement value of the machine, and fuel sourced and paid for by the hirer. Damage waivers vary — ask before you sign.
Need an honest excavator quote for your block?
We'll walk your site, work out the right machine size, and price it both ways — wet and dry — so you can pick the cheaper option.
Skid Steer Hire Rates
Skid steers are the workhorse of vegetation management and tight-access earthmoving. The CAT 289D3 (standard flow) suits trenching, augering, levelling and grapple work. The CAT 299D3 XE with its high-flow hydraulic system (28+ gpm, 4,061 psi) is the machine you want under a forestry mulcher head — anything smaller will overheat and stall in heavy lantana.
| Machine | Wet hire / hr | Wet hire / day | Dry hire / day | Dry hire / week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 289D3 standard flow | $180–$220 | $1,400–$1,720 | $680–$880 | $2,800–$3,500 |
| CAT 299D3 XE high flow (bucket only) | $200–$240 | $1,560–$1,880 | $780–$980 | $3,200–$4,000 |
| CAT 299D3 XE + HM518 mulcher head | $260–$320 | $2,000–$2,500 | $1,150–$1,450 | $4,800–$6,000 |
| Skid steer + auger attachment | $200–$250 | $1,560–$1,950 | $820–$1,050 | $3,400–$4,300 |
| Skid steer + 4-in-1 bucket | $180–$220 | $1,400–$1,720 | $700–$900 | $2,900–$3,600 |
Forestry Mulching Pricing
Forestry mulching is priced three ways in SEQ — hourly, per acre, or per hectare. For accurate budgeting, per-acre is the most honest measure because it forces the operator to estimate productivity rather than just rack up hours.
| Vegetation type | Stems per acre | Productivity | Per acre | Per hour equiv. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light grass + saplings <50mm | <300 | 0.35–0.55 ac/hr | $1,400–$2,200 | $260–$320 |
| Light lantana + regrowth | 300–600 | 0.25–0.4 ac/hr | $1,800–$2,800 | $260–$320 |
| Medium lantana + woody scrub | 600–1,200 | 0.18–0.28 ac/hr | $3,000–$4,500 | $260–$320 |
| Heavy lantana >3m, dense regrowth | 1,200–2,500 | 0.10–0.18 ac/hr | $4,500–$6,500 | $260–$320 |
| Mixed timber up to 300mm DBH | Varies | 0.08–0.15 ac/hr | $5,500–$8,500 | $280–$340 |
| Density | Per acre | Per hectare (×2.47) |
|---|---|---|
| Light | $1,800–$2,800 | $4,450–$6,920 |
| Medium | $3,000–$4,500 | $7,410–$11,120 |
| Heavy | $4,500–$8,500 | $11,120–$21,000 |
Vegetation Clearing & Land Clearing Costs
Land clearing in SEQ ranges from light slashing of council easements through to bulk site clears for subdivision. The cheapest option is almost always slashing first, then mulching the woody material in place. Cart-and-tip is the expensive default — it's slower, generates more truck movements, and you pay tip fees on every tonne of green waste.
| Method | Best for | Typical cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slashing (tractor / skid steer) | Grass, light scrub, easements | $180–$280/hr | 1–2 ac/hr |
| Forestry mulching (in place) | Lantana, regrowth, woody scrub | $260–$320/hr | 0.15–0.4 ac/hr |
| Push & burn (where permitted) | Bulk clears, dry rural | $1,800–$3,500/ac | Slow — needs permits |
| Push, pile, cart, tip | Construction sites needing bare ground | $3,500–$6,500/ac | Medium |
| Hand clearing + chipper | Environmentally sensitive areas | $3,000–$5,500/ac | Slow |
Lantana Removal Costs
Lantana is the single most-asked-about weed in SEQ. It's invasive, fire-loaded, and almost impossible to fully kill without mulching the root crown. Forestry mulching is the standard treatment — the mulch layer suppresses regrowth for 6–18 months, giving native species or pasture a head start.
| Density / treatment | Per acre | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Light lantana, mulch in place | $2,200–$2,800 | Single pass, good regrowth control |
| Medium lantana <2m, mulch in place | $2,800–$3,800 | Single pass with HM518 head |
| Heavy lantana >3m, mulch in place | $3,800–$5,500 | May need second pass after 4–6 weeks |
| Cut, pile, burn (permits required) | $3,500–$5,500 | Adds permit + smoke complaint risk |
| Mulch + follow-up spray (12 months) | +$400–$800/ac | Strongly recommended for long-term control |
Dry Hire vs Wet Hire — Real Pricing Breakdown
The most-asked question we get. Below is a real worked example — a 5-tonne excavator on a 3-day residential footings job in Burpengary.
| Cost line | Wet hire | Dry hire |
|---|---|---|
| Machine (3 days) | $3,750 (avg) | $1,800 |
| Operator (24h @ $85/hr) | Included | $2,040 |
| Fuel | Included | $480 |
| Insurance / damage waiver | Included | $180 |
| Float in + out | $420 | $420 |
| TOTAL (ex GST) | $4,170 | $4,920 |
Machinery Transport (Float) Costs
Float is the cost everyone forgets when comparing quotes. We base out of South East Queensland and these are the typical 2026 float costs each way.
| Machine | Brisbane metro | Moreton Bay | Sunshine Coast | Per km beyond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini (1.7–2.5t) | $220–$320 | $280–$380 | $350–$450 | $3.20 |
| 5–8t | $320–$450 | $380–$520 | $450–$600 | $3.80 |
| 13t | $450–$580 | $500–$650 | $580–$750 | $4.50 |
| 20t CAT 320 | $550–$750 | $620–$820 | $700–$900 | $5.50 |
| 30t+ (low-loader) | $850–$1,200 | $950–$1,300 | $1,100–$1,500 | $7.20 |
Get the float built into your quote upfront
We always quote float as a separate line so you can see exactly what you're paying. No hidden surcharges on the final invoice.
Acreage Clearing Estimates
Acreage pricing is dominated by vegetation density and access. The numbers below assume reasonable access (machine can be floated in and turned without major prep) and mixed vegetation typical of SEQ hinterland blocks.
| Block size | Light vegetation | Medium vegetation | Heavy / lantana |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 acre | $1,800–$2,800 | $3,000–$4,500 | $4,500–$8,500 |
| 5 acres | $9,000–$14,000 | $15,000–$22,500 | $22,500–$42,500 |
| 10 acres | $18,000–$28,000 | $30,000–$45,000 | $45,000–$85,000 |
| 20 acres | $36,000–$56,000 | $60,000–$90,000 | $90,000–$170,000 |
| 50 acres | $90,000–$140,000 | $150,000–$225,000 | $225,000–$425,000 |
Hourly vs Project Pricing
We prefer fixed project pricing for anything we can inspect upfront. It removes risk for the client and forces us to scope properly. Hourly suits jobs with genuinely unknown variables — storm cleanup, buried-services trenching, and any site where ground conditions are unknown.
- Hourly — best for: storm response, unknown ground, mixed/exploratory work, small same-day jobs.
- Day rate — best for: 1–2 day cuts, driveway prep, footings, fence line clearing.
- Fixed project price — best for: acreage clears, dam construction, subdivision prep, anything quotable from a site walk.
- Schedule-of-rates — best for: civil work, council jobs, ongoing maintenance contracts.
Residential vs Commercial Pricing
| Factor | Residential | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Typical hourly | $140–$220 | $180–$280 |
| Access prep | Often included | Quoted separately |
| Insurance requirements | $10M PL | $20M PL + WHS plans |
| Inductions / SWMS | Rarely | Always — adds 1–3 hrs |
| Payment terms | Job-end or 7-day | 30–60 days |
| Float scheduling | Flexible | Locked windows |
Fuel & Operator Cost Breakdown
For dry hire customers working out their true running cost — here's the real numbers we use internally.
| Machine | Fuel L/hr | Fuel $/hr | Operator $/hr (ticketed) | All-in $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5t excavator | 5–7 L | $10–$14 | $80–$95 | $90–$109 |
| 8t excavator | 8–11 L | $16–$22 | $80–$95 | $96–$117 |
| 13t excavator | 12–16 L | $24–$32 | $85–$100 | $109–$132 |
| 20t CAT 320 | 16–22 L | $32–$44 | $95–$115 | $127–$159 |
| CAT 299D3 XE w/ mulcher | 18–26 L | $36–$52 | $95–$115 | $131–$167 |
Site Accessibility, Sloped Blocks & Rural Access
Three real cost adders we see on almost every acreage quote in SEQ:
- Slope: 0–10° is free. 10–15° adds 10%. 15–25° adds 15–25%. Over 25° we re-spec the machine — usually drop a size and use a track machine with wider pads.
- Gate / driveway width: Under 3.2m needs a smaller float or partial disassembly — adds $200–$500.
- Soft ground / creek crossings: We supply temporary track mats at $180–$320 per day to protect lawns and prevent bog-down.
Waste Removal & Green Waste Costs
| Waste type | Method | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Green waste (mulch in place) | Forestry mulcher | $0 — already priced in |
| Green waste (cart + tip) | 10m³ tipper + green waste facility | $420–$680 per load |
| Clean fill (cart out) | Tipper or truck-trailer | $280–$520 per load |
| Mixed C&D waste | 10m³ skip + tip fees | $650–$950 per load |
| Stump removal + cart | Grapple + tipper | $350–$650 per stump |
| Concrete / VENM disposal | Specialty tip | $120–$240/tonne |
Emergency Storm Cleanup Pricing
SEQ averages one major storm event a summer. We run priority storm response across Brisbane, Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast — same-day mobilisation, ticketed operators, grapple attachments and chainsaw crews on call.
| Response | Rate | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Same-day priority (business hours) | $320/hr | 4 hours |
| After-hours / weekend | $420/hr | 4 hours |
| Multi-day cyclone response | $280/hr | Per day |
| Tree-down clear + grapple | $320–$380/hr | 2 hours |
| Float (storm priority) | $650–$850 | Each way |
Storm-damaged property in SEQ?
Call us first. We mobilise same-day for tree-down, blocked driveways, fallen power-line clearance and post-cyclone cleanup across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
How To Save Money on Your Earthmoving Job
- Bundle days. Three separate 4-hour visits costs more than one 12-hour day because of three float legs.
- Mulch in place. Cart-and-tip almost always doubles your spend. If you don't need bare ground, don't pay for bare ground.
- Get the right machine size first. Hiring an 8t when a 13t fits will cost you 50% more in hours.
- Pre-clear access yourself. Trimming gates and clearing turnarounds before we arrive saves 1–2 hrs of skidsteer time.
- Ask for fixed pricing. Wherever a site can be inspected, fixed pricing is in your favour.
- Stack jobs with neighbours. Acreage owners pooling float and minimum-day rates routinely save 20–30%.
Related Guides
- Skid Steer vs Excavator — which is better for your project?
- How forestry mulching works (CAT 299D3 XE + HM518)
- Forestry mulching vs excavator clearing
- How to clear overgrown acreage efficiently
- Best machinery for lantana removal
Frequently Asked Questions — Earthmoving Pricing in SEQ
Ready to get a real quote?
Call the Minespec crew for honest, upfront pricing across Brisbane, Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast — no obligation, no inflated quotes.