Cost guide
What land clearing actually costs, and what drives the number
The honest version: area matters less than people think, and access matters more.
The honest answer
There is no useful per-hectare rate for land clearing, and anyone who gives you one over the phone without seeing the site is guessing. Area is only one input. Two blocks of identical size can differ by several times in cost depending on how steep they are, how dense and how woody the vegetation is, and whether a machine can physically get onto the ground. GRazer estimate most jobs from Google Maps, photos and the property address, which means you can get an initial number without anyone driving out. For larger, more complex or high-value projects they may recommend a site visit to confirm scope before work starts.
What actually drives the number
Access
The single biggest variable, and the one people forget to mention. Can a machine get onto the property and onto the actual work area? Gate widths, bridge and culvert limits, overhead wires, and the route from the road to the site all matter. GRazer's machines get in from as little as 1.4m entry width, which opens up a lot of sites, but if the machine has to be walked a long way or an alternative access arranged, that is time.
Vegetation density and material size
Light regrowth is quick. Ten-year-old gorse with 200mm stems is a different job on the same hectare. Density affects how many passes the ground needs, and material size affects how fast the machine can move through it.
Terrain and slope
Steeper ground is slower ground. It is workable up to 55 degrees, but a face at 50 degrees will not be cleared at the same rate as a flat paddock, and the machine positioning takes longer.
Site conditions on the day
Ground that is wet or soft slows everything down and can mean waiting. GRazer generally prefer one to two dry days for access, safety and productivity. Hidden obstacles (old fencing, rubbish, stumps, rock) also show up once clearing starts.
What outcome you actually want
Knocking scrub down so a block can be assessed is a different job from a fine finish ready for grazing or planting. Be specific about the outcome and the estimate gets more accurate.
How to keep the cost down
- Send good photos, including the access route and the gate, not just the vegetation
- Be clear about the outcome you want rather than asking for it to be "cleared"
- Deal with it earlier, two years of extra growth costs more than the delay saves
- Clear the whole area in one visit rather than in stages, if you can
- Flag hazards you know about, old fence wire, rubbish, stumps, springs
- Be flexible on timing so the job can be scheduled around dry conditions
What is included that is easy to miss
- Mulch stays on site, so there is no cartage or disposal cost at all
- No burning, so no permit and no waiting for a weather window
- No chemicals, so no withholding periods or drift management
- You do not need to be on site while the work happens
- Full insurance and documented health and safety systems
Cost questions we get asked
Can you give me a price over the phone?
Why is there no price list on this page?
Is it cheaper than cut-and-cart clearing?
Other cost guides
- Gorse Removal CostAge of the stand is the biggest single driver, and the one you can still do something about.
- Forestry Mulching CostMaterial size is the constraint that decides whether it is a mulching job at all.
- Slope Mowing CostThe cheapest slope mowing is the kind that happens regularly. Rescue jobs cost more.
- Section Clearing CostThe big saving is not the clearing rate. It is not paying to truck the material away.
Want a number for your place?
Send the property address and a few photos, including the access. Most estimates come back without a site visit.