Stump Grinding Cost in Australia
Stump grinding is priced per stump, by its width. What's The Damage's October 2026 re-verification across 90+ sources puts a small stump (under 30 cm) at $150–$300 to grind nationally, with $200 typical, a medium stump (30–60 cm) at $250–$500, with $350 typical, and a large stump (60 cm+) at $400–$900, with $600 typical. Here's what a whole job comes to, how grinding compares with full removal, and what moves the price.
What stump grinding costs
The stump's width across the cut sets the band. Measure it at the widest point near the ground, or send a photo with something for scale, when you ask for quotes.
| Stump size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small stump (under 30 cm) | $150 | $200 | $300 |
| Medium stump (30–60 cm) | $250 | $350 | $500 |
| Large stump (60 cm+) | $400 | $600 | $900 |
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Totals for common jobs
One small stump typically costs $200 to grind, and a medium and a large stump done in the same visit come to about $950. Each total below adds up the per-stump prices above.
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| One small stump (under 30 cm) | $150 | $200 | $300 |
| One medium stump (30–60 cm) | $250 | $350 | $500 |
| Three small stumps | $450 | $600 | $900 |
| One medium and one large stump | $650 | $950 | $1,400 |
These are plain sums of the per-stump prices. Batching usually lowers the per-stump rate, so a quote for several stumps can come in under the summed figure.
Grinding vs full stump removal
Grinding cuts the stump down to below ground level with a spinning toothed wheel and leaves the roots to break down in the soil. It is quick, the ground around it stays mostly intact, and the spot is ready for lawn, a garden bed or most paving. Full stump removal digs or pulls out the stump and its main roots, usually with an excavator. That leaves a large hole to fill, disturbs more of the yard and takes longer, so it is usually only worth it when you are building, laying a slab or putting in a pool. For most backyards, grinding is the one to ask for first.
What changes the price
Diameter is the big one, because a wider stump takes longer to grind. Hardwoods such as old gums are slower to cut than softer timbers. Depth comes next: a standard grind goes a little below the surface, and going deeper for paving or a slab adds time. Access decides which machine fits, so a stump behind a narrow side gate, up steps or on a slope can cost more. The number of stumps counts too, since each extra stump on the same visit adds less than the first. And ask whether carting the grindings away is included, or whether the mulch is left on site for you to spread.
Stump grinding prices in your city
Sydney and the Gold Coast have their own stump grinding guides: stump grinding cost in Sydney and stump grinding cost on the Gold Coast. For every city, the local tree removal guide prices stump grinding alongside tree removal.
- Tree removal cost Sydney
- Tree removal cost Melbourne
- Tree removal cost Brisbane
- Tree removal cost Perth
- Tree removal cost Adelaide
- Tree removal cost Gold Coast
- Tree removal cost Canberra
- Tree removal cost Hobart
- Tree removal cost Darwin
- Tree removal cost Newcastle
- Tree removal cost Geelong
- Tree removal cost Sunshine Coast
- Tree removal cost Townsville
- Tree removal cost Wollongong
- Tree removal cost Byron Bay
- Tree removal cost Central Coast
- Tree removal cost Cairns
Frequently asked questions
How much does stump grinding cost in Australia?
A small stump (under 30 cm) costs $150–$300 to grind, with $200 typical. A medium stump (30–60 cm) costs $250–$500, with $350 typical, and a large stump (60 cm+) costs $400–$900, with $600 typical. Those are per-stump prices from What's The Damage's October 2026 re-verification across 90+ sources.
Is it cheaper to grind several stumps at once?
Usually, yes. Most operators have a minimum callout, so once the grinder is on site each extra stump costs less than one booked on its own. Ask for a single quote that covers every stump, as it can come in under the sum of the per-stump prices.
Is stump grinding cheaper than full stump removal?
Almost always. Grinding is quicker and leaves the ground around the stump mostly intact, while digging a stump out takes heavier machinery and leaves a hole to fill. Full removal is usually only worth it if you are building, laying a slab or paving over the spot.
Is stump grinding included when a tree is removed?
Not always, so ask. Many arborists quote the stump as its own line, so check whether grinding and carting away the grindings are in the price before you book.
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