Crane hire is one of those costs that’s hard to budget for if you’ve never booked one before. Rates vary with the crane, the lift, and the site — and the cheapest hourly rate is rarely the cheapest job. This guide explains how crane hire pricing works in Melbourne, what drives the price up or down, and what you need to tell a crane company to get an accurate quote.
How much does crane hire cost in Melbourne?
As a general guide, wet hire (crane plus operator) in Melbourne starts from around $205 per hour for a small pick-and-carry crane, with most residential and light commercial lifts falling between $1400 per hour to $2000 per hour for a minimum 4 x hour hire booking. Larger all-terrain cranes and complex lifts are quoted per job per hour and may exceed 4 x hour minimum hire dependent on crane size & requirements.
What’s included in a crane hire rate?
A typical wet hire rate includes the crane, a licensed operator, and in many cases a dogman or rigger to sling the load and direct the lift. Depending on the company, the quote may also cover travel to and from the site (sometimes charged as “float” time), set-up and pack-down, and insurances. Always ask what’s included — two quotes with the same hourly rate can differ significantly once travel and minimum hire periods are counted.
Wet hire vs dry hire — what’s the difference?
Wet hire means the crane comes with a licensed operator. Dry hire means you hire the machine only and supply your own ticketed operator and riggers, carrying responsibility for licensing, insurance, and safe operation yourself. For nearly all builders, trades, and homeowners, wet hire is the right option — you’re paying for the operator’s experience as much as the machine.
What affects the cost of crane hire?
Six factors drive most of the variation in crane hire pricing:
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- Crane size and type. A 20-tonne pick-and-carry crane costs far less per hour than a 130-tonne all-terrain crane. But the right crane is determined by lift radius and load weight, not just tonnage — a “small” lift over a house may need a larger crane than you expect.
- Duration and minimum hire. Most cranes carry a minimum hire period (commonly 4 hours including travel). Short lifts pay the minimum; full-day jobs get better effective rates.
- Site access. Tight access, sloping ground, overhead powerlines, or set-up on the road all add time, equipment, or permits.
- Permits and traffic management. If the crane must set up on the road or footpath, a council road occupation permit and traffic management crew are required — see our guide to council permits for cranes
- Time and day. After-hours, weekend, or night lifts (common for sites that can’t close during business hours) attract penalty rates.
- Lift complexity. Lifts near powerlines, dual-crane lifts, or lifts over occupied buildings may need an engineered lift plan and additional planning time.
Typical Melbourne crane hire price guide
| Job type | Typical crane | Indicative price |
| Spa, AC unit, or small machinery lift | Franna / pick-and-carry Including Rigger/Dogman | $1400 – $1900 |
| Roof trusses or timber frames | 20–60t mobile crane Including Rigger/Dogman | $1400 – $1900 |
| Shipping container placement | 20–60t mobile crane Including Rigger/Dogman | $1400 – $1600 |
| Structural steel for commercial build | 60–130t all-terrain Requiring Rigger/Dogman | Quoted per job |
| Lift requiring road closure | Varies | Quoted per job incl. permits |
Why the cheapest hourly rate isn’t the cheapest lift
A lower hourly rate can cost more overall if the crane is too small and the job takes longer, travel is charged separately, the operator arrives without a dogman, or a permit requirement gets discovered on the day and the lift is cancelled. A good crane company quotes the whole job — crane, crew, travel, and any permits — after asking the right questions. That’s the number to compare.
How do I get an accurate crane hire quote?
Have these details ready and most jobs can be quoted same-day:
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- What’s being lifted, and its approximate weight and dimensions
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- Where it’s lifting from and to (with the distance the crane must reach — the radius)
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- Site address and access notes (street width, slope, powerlines, trees)
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- A few photos of the site and load
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- Preferred date and any time constraints
Need to hire a crane?
Combination cranes & Transport can provide you a quite to get your project done on time, and budget - and we handle permits and traffic management when the job needs them
FAQ
What is the minimum crane hire period?
Most crane companies apply a minimum hire of 3–4 hours , which usually includes travel to and from your site. Short lifts are charged at the minimum; longer bookings achieve better effective hourly rates.
Is the operator included in crane hire?
With wet hire, yes — the rate includes a licensed crane operator, and usually a dogman or rigger. Dry hire is the machine only, and you must supply licensed personnel.
Do I need a permit to hire a crane?
Not for lifts performed entirely from private property. If the crane sets up on a road, footpath, or nature strip, a council road occupation permit and traffic management are required — your crane company can arrange these.
How far in advance should I book a crane?
For standard lifts, a week is usually enough, however the earlier the better. If the lift needs a road closure permit, allow two to four weeks for council approval.
