How Much Does Skip Bin Hire Cost? [2024]

Whether you're renovating, landscaping or carrying out other large home improvements, one detail that’s easy to overlook is what to do with all the rubbish. You don’t want to be stuck trying to stuff waste in your neighbour’s bins on collection night. 

Rather than making half a dozen or more trips to the tip, hiring a skip bin will take care of all your rubbish removal in one go. But how much does skip bin hire cost?

Read this guide to find out:

• What is skip bin hire?
• How much does a skip bin cost for the day?
• How much does it cost to hire a skip bin in different states?
• What factors affect skip bin hire cost?
• Is it worth hiring a skip bin?
• What can you throw away in a skip bin?
• What can’t you throw away in a skip bin?
• Questions to ask before you hire a skip in Australia

What is skip bin hire?

Skip bins are essentially large rubbish bins. You’ve probably seen them around in front of construction sites or houses undergoing renovations. They’re an easy way to remove large amounts of rubbish, green waste or other unwanted materials in one go.  

Skip bins can be hired in a wide range of sizes, depending on how much waste and material you need to dispose of. When looking to hire one, you’ll find your choices will be determined by the size needed. These will usually be given in cubic metres (m3) and normally range from 2 to 30 cubic metres.

When you hire them, they’ll be delivered to your site by a skip hire business or other rubbish removal service and collected on an agreed date.

How much does a skip bin cost to hire for the day?

Skip bin costs are usually quoted based on their size (in cubic metres), and different suppliers charge different daily rates.

These average skip hire costs are based on a standard skip bin suitable for mixed heavy waste for one full day hire. All prices are in Australian dollars and include GST.

• 2m3 skip: $200 - $345 per day 
• 4m3 skip: $400 - $520 per day 
• 6m3 skip: $600 - $760 per day
• 9m3 skip: $700 - $930 per day 
• 12m3 skip: $1,200 - $1,550 per day
• 15m3 skip: $1,580 - $1,900 per day 

A small skip bin can be an affordable option if you only need to dispose of a small amount of waste material or items such as old furniture. Hiring a large skip will be more cost-effective than several smaller skips, but these will only be needed for larger renovations.

How much does it cost to hire a skip bin in different states?

Average skip bin hire cost varies depending on where you live in Australia.

• Queensland has the cheapest skip hire cost at around $50 per m3
• Skip hire in Victoria costs approximately $75 per m3
• New South Wales is the most expensive at around $89 per m3

At hipages, we recommend getting quotes from at least 3 skip bin hire services in your area to get an idea of local prices. The more information you can give about your project and the type of skip bin you need, the more accurate your quote will be.

What factors affect skip bin hire cost?

While size is the main factor that determines the cost of skip hire, the final cost can also depend on:

• The type of skip bin
• What materials are being disposed of
• Where you live
• Distance from the dump site
• How long you need it for

Some skip bin hire companies charge per day, while others may charge per week. Where possible, aim to choose a provider located close to where you live or you could face additional transport costs.

 

Is it worth hiring a skip bin?

There are times when hiring a skip bin will be the right choice and others when it might be easier for you to take a load out to the tip yourself. While it can seem cheaper to do it yourself, you may find that it’s more cost-effective or convenient for you to hire a skip bin instead. 

In general, you should think about a skip bin if you have enough waste for multiple trips to the tips:

• It’s the most time and cost-effective method of removal for large amounts
• It’s easy to budget as there’s only one fee you need to pay
• No wasting time in line at the tip 
• No need to worry about transportation 
• It’s more environmentally friendly
• You could split the cost with neighbours if they also need to dispose of furniture or materials

What can you throw away in a skip bin?

Skip bins may be hired for mixed waste removal or specific types of waste including:

• General waste, including domestic rubbish, light construction waste or office trash
• Mixed heavy waste, including domestic, commercial, demolition, construction and renovation material
• Green waste, such as grass, leaves, tree trimmings, small branches, weeds and bark

When you hire a skip bin, you will usually have to choose which type you want. Each company will have its own list of what can go in the skip for each type. Make sure to read their guides or have a conversation with your company to ensure you know what can put in.

What can’t you throw away in a skip bin?

Not everything can be thrown in a skip and it’s a good idea to know what you can’t use them for. There are many material removalists that you may have to contact separately if you have any of these materials:

• Hazardous materials such as asbestos or chemicals that need to be disposed of properly
• Food waste and other organic materials that will decompose quickly
• Tyres, glass bottles and other materials that should be recycled appropriately
• Oil and oil-based paint, which should be taken to a used oil facility
• Electronics, which have their own recycling stream

It's also good to note that your skip bin will only be one type. So if you hire a green waste bin, you cannot put general waste in it, even if the company also has general waste skips. 

Do I need a permit for my skip bin? 

Regulations will differ depending on your state. Some states, like Queensland, don’t require a permit but others will. 

In general, if the skip bin is placed on a footpath, it must allow pedestrian access and will likely need a permit from your local council. Any issues or damage will rest with the property owner rather than the skip company.

In NSW, NT and Tasmania, you don’t need a permit if the skip is going on private land, but if you want to put it on a road or nature strip then you will need one.  

Western Australia is more strict, with a permit required no matter where you’re putting the bin. 

It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so if in doubt, always check with your local council. They’ll be able to tell you the requirements of your local area and any fees you have to pay.  

Where should I place my skip bin?

While you’ll obviously want your bin close to your waste, there are a few other factors you need to consider. 

The first is hazards. Everyone working with your skip should have clear and easy access to it. This means you need to put it on level ground with nothing overhanging it that could cause a risk. If it’s on a road, you’ll need to make sure there’s enough space to safely get to it. 

As well as this, you need to be able to make sure the spot you want the bin can be accessed by truck, otherwise they won’t be able to drop it off or pick it up. 

Because of their weight, skip bins can cause damage to the ground. Putting some wooden planks or similar underneath can help disperse the weight and avoid this problem. 

Questions to ask a skip bin hire company

Before you sign the dotted line on your skip bin hire, make sure you understand the terms of your contract. Use this list of questions to guide you through your skip hire negotiations:

• What types of waste does the company take?
• Does the skip bin have a maximum load capacity?
• Is there a discount for 'clean fill' (a load of entirely one type of material)?
• Are there any discounts available if the skip bin company can sell the waste materials I put in it?
• Are there higher costs associated with the removal of unusual or dangerous items (such as insulation or mattresses)?
• What items that can’t be put in the skip?

*Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.