What makes up a crane hire quote
A Melbourne crane quote is usually built from the crane's hourly wet-hire rate (operator included), a minimum hire period, travel to and from the depot, extra rigging labour, and any permits or traffic management. The table below gives indicative hourly rates from iseekplant (30 June 2026). See Franna crane hire, mobile crane hire and city crane hire for details by crane type.
How our crane hire referral works
- Tell us the lift: what, how heavy, where.
- We match a local operator with the right crane for the job.
- They call you with a price and book the lift.
Lift capacity at a glance
Builds, steel, panels, HVAC on tight urban sites.
Long reach and heavy lifts on outriggers.
Glazing, indoor and narrow-access lifts.
Deliver and lift in one visit.
Suburbs served
- Melbourne CBD
- Docklands
- Dandenong
- Campbellfield
- Keysborough
- Cranbourne
- Berwick
- Pakenham
- Footscray
- Sunshine
- Coburg
- Box Hill
- Ringwood
- Frankston
- All metro Melbourne
Crane hire cost guide (Melbourne)
Indicative Melbourne wet-hire rates (operator and rigger included, ex GST), from iseekplant (30 June 2026). They exclude travel to and from the depot, extra rigging labour, permits and traffic management. Your quote depends on the lift.
| Crane | Typical rate |
|---|---|
| Franna 12t | $160–$195/hr |
| Franna 20t | $195–$235/hr |
| Franna 25t | $220–$265/hr |
| Mobile slewing 50t | $330–$430/hr |
| Mobile slewing 100t | $480–$630/hr |
Same source: most Melbourne suppliers apply a 4-hour minimum for Frannas and a full day for larger slewing cranes. Rates for spider cranes are not covered; they are quoted on request.
Frequently asked questions
How much does crane hire cost per hour in Melbourne?
Iseekplant (June 2026) puts indicative Melbourne wet-hire rates at about $160–$195 an hour for a 12 tonne Franna, $220–$265 for 25 tonne, $330–$430 for a 50 tonne slewing crane and $480–$630 for 100 tonne, ex GST. Minimum hire, travel, riggers and permits are extra.
What is the minimum hire for a crane in Melbourne?
Iseekplant (June 2026) says most Melbourne suppliers apply a 4-hour minimum for Frannas and a full-day minimum for larger slewing cranes. Travel to and from the depot is usually charged at the crane's hourly rate on top.
What extra charges apply to crane hire in the CBD?
Iseekplant (June 2026) estimates a standard road occupancy permit and traffic management plan at $1,500–$4,000, and notes weekend and public holiday penalty rates of 25–50%. See city crane hire for more on CBD lifts.
How does this crane hire referral service work?
You send your lift details once through the form or by phone. We pass the request to one independent local crane operator suited to the job, and that operator contacts you directly with a price and books the lift. We are a referral service, not a crane company, and the request is free with no obligation.
What details do I need for a crane quote in Melbourne?
Give the load weight, the lift height and distance from where the crane can set up, the site suburb and street, ground and access conditions, and your preferred date. Photos of the site and load help. Operators use this to choose the crane size, check if permits are needed and price the lift accurately.
Related crane hire services
- Crane hire Melbourne (all cranes)
- Franna crane hire Melbourne
- Mobile slewing crane hire Melbourne
- City and CBD crane hire
- Spider and mini crane hire
- Crane hire in Dandenong and the south-east
- Crane truck hire Melbourne
- Hiab truck hire Melbourne
- Mini and small crane hire
- Crawler crane hire Melbourne
- Crane hire in Campbellfield and the north