What a piling rig costs in Australia
Piling rigs are the most quote-only corner of construction equipment: big new rotary rigs rarely wear a public price. The used market and the import route do, so here is what actually trades.
The market, priced
| Class | Price | Financed, per week |
|---|---|---|
| Small tracked pile drivers, used | $70,000 to $90,000 plus GST | $345 to $445 |
| Mid-size rotary rigs, used | $120,000 to $570,000 | $595 to $2825 |
| New large rotary rigs | from ~$450,000, commonly past $1m, dealer quote | from $2230 |
What moves the price: the rig class (torque and maximum pile depth), Kelly versus CFA capability, hours, and the condition of the mast and undercarriage, which is where piling rigs hide their wear. Local dealer support matters at resale: the supported European brands hold value the way premium graders do.
The import maths
Overseas listings show mid-size rigs from roughly $120,000 to $570,000 in converted terms, and importing adds shipping, compliance and commissioning on top, plus the risk that the rig arrives needing the mast work you could not inspect. Import can be the right answer for a specific rig; price the landed total, not the listing.
Financing a rig
Rigs write on chattel mortgage, new, used and imported once landed and complied, with terms matched to hours and remaining life. A $400,000 mid-life rotary rig runs about $1985 a week over five years against piling rates that carry it on utilisation. Property-backed borrowers generally price around 6% to 9% p.a. and non-property-backed deals around 9% to 13%, with approvals commonly back in 24 to 48 hours. Start at drilling and piling finance.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a piling rig cost in Australia?
Small tracked pile drivers trade at $70,000 to $90,000 used, mid-size rotary rigs $120,000 to $570,000, and new large rotary rigs from around $450,000 to well past $1m, mostly dealer-quote.
What should I inspect on a used piling rig?
Mast and undercarriage condition above all, then hours, the rotary head, and service history. Rigs hide their wear in the mast.
Is importing a piling rig worth it?
Sometimes, for a specific rig: converted overseas prices look attractive, but shipping, compliance and commissioning add materially, and you carry the inspection risk. Price the landed total.
Can imported rigs be financed?
Yes, once landed and complied: chattel mortgage terms matched to hours and remaining life, the same as local purchases.
Rig, hours and the landed total
Tell us the rig and where it is and we will come back with the weekly number, usually within a day.
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.