What an excavator costs in Australia in 2026
Everyone selling excavators makes you call for a price. This page gives you the numbers first: what each size class actually costs in Australia right now, new and used, and what that price looks like as a weekly repayment, so you can judge a deal before you ring anyone.
Excavator prices by size class
These are indicative market bands from Australian dealer listings and price guides surveyed in August 2026, excluding GST and attachments. Weekly figures assume a 5 year chattel mortgage at 10.5% p.a. with no balloon and no deposit; your rate depends on your profile and security, not the machine.
| Size class | New (indicative) | Late-model used | Financed, per week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 1.5 tonne mini | $22,000 to $42,000 | $15,000 to $28,000 | $110 to $210 |
| 1.5 to 2.5 tonne | $38,000 to $65,000 | $22,000 to $38,000 | $190 to $320 |
| 2.5 to 4 tonne | $55,000 to $85,000 | $32,000 to $55,000 | $275 to $420 |
| 4 to 6 tonne | $75,000 to $130,000 | $45,000 to $90,000 | $370 to $645 |
| 12 to 15 tonne | dealer quote, commonly $180,000 plus | $100,000 to $130,000 | used from $495 |
| 20 to 30 tonne | dealer quote, commonly $250,000 plus | $130,000 to $165,000 | used from $645 |
Two reference points from the used market as at August 2026: the average Komatsu excavator listing in Australia sits around $110,000, and recent late-model examples include a 2020 Komatsu PC138 at $101,200 and a 2021 Caterpillar 325 at $159,900.
What actually moves the price
Brand tier is the biggest swing. In the 1.7 tonne class a Japanese-built machine like a Kubota or Kobelco runs $40,000 to $50,000 new, while Chinese-built brands like SANY and XCMG land between $20,000 and $28,000, and budget importers advertise from around $13,000. The gap is resale value as much as build quality: Japanese brands hold their price at trade-in time, which also makes lenders more comfortable with longer terms.
Hours decide the used price. A Japanese-brand machine under 2,500 hours typically sells for 45% to 60% of its new price. Past 5,000 hours the price keeps falling, but so does the lender's appetite for a long term.
The hitch and buckets are not included. A hydraulic quick hitch runs $1,500 to $2,500, pin hitches $550 to $1,000, and a sensible bucket set adds a few thousand more. Augers, hammers and tilt hitches on top. Most buyers roll the attachments into the same finance facility as the machine so the whole package carries one repayment.
New or used
New gets you warranty, full hours and the longest finance terms. Used gets you the same digging for roughly half the price once a machine has a couple of thousand hours on it. Lenders fund both, including dealer sales, private sales and auction purchases; a private sale adds an inspection step and a few days. If the machine will work daily, the warranty maths often favours new or near-new. For a machine that works a few days a week, the used discount is hard to beat.
What it costs to run
For a mini excavator working 600 to 800 hours a year, Australian guides put annual running costs at roughly $12,700 to $20,200: fuel $3,600 to $5,400, servicing and maintenance $2,500 to $4,000, insurance $1,800 to $2,800, and registration and compliance a few hundred more. Track replacement, when it comes, runs $2,000 to $6,000. Build these into your day rate before you decide what machine the business can carry.
Financing the machine
Excavators hold their value well, so the machine is strong security for its own loan. Deals are written as chattel mortgages over two to seven years: you own the excavator from day one and the lender releases its interest when the loan is paid out. As a working rule, property-backed borrowers price around 6% to 9% p.a. and non-property-backed deals around 9% to 13%. Approvals commonly come back in 24 to 48 hours, new ABNs are workable when there is work lined up, and a balloon can hold the weekly repayment down on bigger machines.
Run your own numbers on the excavator finance calculator, or read the hire versus buy comparison if you are still deciding whether to own at all.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a mini excavator in Australia?
New, between $22,000 and $65,000 depending on size and brand: budget imports from around $13,000, Chinese-built brands $20,000 to $28,000, and Japanese brands $40,000 to $50,000 in the popular 1.7 tonne class. Late-model used machines run roughly half the new price once they have a couple of thousand hours on them.
Can I finance a used excavator from a private seller?
Yes. Private-sale and auction machines are financed regularly. The lender will want the machine identified and usually inspected before settlement, which adds a few days versus a dealer purchase.
What deposit do I need to finance an excavator?
Often none. Full-invoice finance is available, and a deposit is a cashflow choice rather than an approval requirement for most established businesses. New ABNs may be asked for a deposit or property backing.
Can attachments be financed with the excavator?
Yes. Buckets, hitches, augers and hammers are usually written into the same facility as the machine, so the whole package carries one repayment.
Know your number before you negotiate
Tell us the machine and we will come back with the real repayment, usually within a day. Up to $500,000, new or used, dealer or private sale.
This article is general information only and not financial, credit, or tax advice. Ventas Asset Lending is a finance broker, not a lender. Approvals are subject to lender assessment. Consider your own circumstances and speak to a qualified professional, including your accountant for any tax questions.