Land clearing in Melbourne typically costs between $4,000 and $30,000 per acre depending on what is on the block, access, and how the cleared material is handled. A house block with light scrub clears cheaper than a rural block with mature trees and a thick understorey. This guide breaks down the price drivers and what is included in a typical land clearing quote.
Average Land Clearing Costs by Block Type
- Light vegetation (grass, weeds, scattered shrubs) — $4,000 to $8,000 per acre
- Medium vegetation (dense shrubs, small trees, blackberry) — $8,000 to $15,000 per acre
- Heavy vegetation (mature trees, thick scrub, fallen timber) — $15,000 to $30,000 per acre
- Single overgrown house block (under 1,000m²) — $1,500 to $6,000 total
These are working estimates — every block is different and a site visit is the only way to give an accurate quote.
What Drives the Cost
Vegetation Density
The number of trees per acre is the single biggest cost driver. A block with 50 mature trees needs days of removal work. A block with 5 trees and bracken needs hours.
Tree Size
Mature trees over 10 metres each cost $500-$2,000 to fell, chip, and dispose of. Stump grinding adds another $150-$500 per stump. A few large gums can swing the total price by thousands.
Access
If a tipper truck and chipper can drive on-site, work is faster. If material has to be hand-carried 50 metres to the nearest truck loading point, that adds hours. Excavator access matters too — if the block is fenced, locked, or has a narrow driveway, expect a premium.
Disposal Method
How we handle the cleared material affects the price:
- Chip and remove — cleanest finish but the most expensive (chipping plus tipping fees)
- Burn on site — cheaper but only allowed on rural properties with council approval and the right CFA fire-danger conditions
- Stockpile on site — cheapest if you have somewhere to put the timber and can deal with it later
- Mulch on site and leave — middle option, leaves you with mulched material for landscaping
Stump Treatment
Stumps can be:
- Left in place — cheapest, but they will regrow on some species
- Ground to 10-30cm below ground level — standard for residential blocks
- Excavated whole with root ball — required if you are building over the area
Excavation costs significantly more than grinding.
Equipment Required
A small house block needs a chainsaw, chipper, and small skid-steer. A rural acreage might need a 5-tonne excavator, mulcher attachment, dozer, and tipper truck. Equipment hire is a big component of the day rate.
Permits and Reports
Many Melbourne blocks have planning overlays that restrict native vegetation removal:
- Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO)
- Significant Landscape Overlay (SLO)
- Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO)
- Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO)
If your block is overlay-affected, you need a planning permit and often an arborist or ecologist report before any clearing. Allow 2-6 weeks and $1,500-$5,000 for the report and permit process.
What Is Usually Included in a Land Clearing Quote
A standard quote covers:
- Felling and processing of trees
- Removal of understorey and scrub
- Stump grinding to 15-30cm below ground
- Chipping of green waste
- Trucking material off-site (or mulching on-site if preferred)
- Final rake or sweep to leave the block reasonably tidy
Not usually included:
- Excavation of root balls (for building)
- Topsoil delivery or levelling
- Fencing repair or removal
- Permit fees or arborist reports
- Burning permit fees
How to Cut Cost on Land Clearing
- Clear in stages — start with the section you need cleared most urgently and do the rest later
- Allow on-site mulching — saves chipping and trucking but leaves material on the block
- Stockpile firewood — gum and ironbark have value as firewood; some operators will discount in exchange for taking the wood
- Schedule in winter — booking is easier outside the spring rush
- Bundle stump grinding — stump grinding the same day as felling saves a return visit
How Long Does Land Clearing Take?
- Standard house block — 1-3 days
- 1 acre rural block with light scrub — 2-5 days
- 5 acres with mature trees — 1-3 weeks
- Anything over 10 acres — site-specific scope and timeline
When You Need a Permit Beforehand
For details on Victorian permit rules for clearing native vegetation, see our guide to land clearing permits in Victoria.
Get a Free Land Clearing Quote
Precision Arbor Care clears blocks across Melbourne and the surrounding regions. We can quote from photos and an aerial view for small jobs, but for anything over half an acre we visit on site. Call Rob on 0413 606 544 or see our land clearing services.
