What Is a Tip Site? A Simple Guide for Landowners and Contractors
A tip site is a property or location that accepts fill material — soil, clay, clean fill, rock, or gravel — from local excavation and construction projects. Instead of taking their excavated material to a licensed tip (which can cost up to $300 per load), contractors look for properties that need fill and can take it for free.
Both parties benefit: the excavator saves on tip fees, and the property owner gets free fill delivered. In the earthworks industry, finding a good tip site is one of the most significant costs a contractor can avoid.
Who uses tip sites?
Two types of people use tip sites:
- Excavators and earthworks contractors — They generate fill during building work, pool installations, road works, and land clearing. They search for tip sites that will accept their material so they don’t have to pay to dispose of it at a licensed facility.
- Property owners and landholders — They need fill material to level a block, raise a lawn, build a dam, fill a gully, or prepare land for construction. Registering as a tip site means fill material comes to them for free.
How to become a tip site in Australia
The easiest way to become a tip site is to post a “Need Fill” listing on ReadyFill. This puts your property in front of excavators who are actively searching for somewhere to take their surplus material.
- Download the ReadyFill app or go to readyfill.com.au
- Create a free account
- Post a “Need Fill” listing with your location, the type of material you’ll accept, and the quantity you need
- Excavators in your area will find your listing and contact you to arrange delivery
Your listing appears on a map, so local operators can see exactly where you are and whether the material they have matches what you need.
What should a tip site accept?
You can choose what types of material you accept. Most tip sites specify that they will only take clean fill — material that is free of contaminants, building rubble, asbestos, chemicals, and organic waste. Accepting contaminated fill can create a serious liability on your property.
| Accept | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Clean clay and subsoil | Fill containing asbestos |
| Sand and gravel | Fill with chemical contamination |
| Clean rock and rubble | Organic material (wood, vegetation) |
| Inert road base | Mixed building waste |
| Topsoil (with no contamination) | Fill from unknown or industrial sources |
Do tip sites get paid?
Most tip sites on ReadyFill accept fill for free — the value is in the free material they receive. However, some tip sites do charge a small fee per load, particularly if they are accepting material that requires specific placement or compaction work.
If you have a high-demand tip site (large capacity, good truck access, near a high-activity construction zone), you may be in a position to charge. Most operators will still prefer a free tip site if one is nearby, so pricing is typically only viable in areas with limited tip site options.
What can I use the fill for once it’s delivered?
- Levelling a sloped or uneven block — Clay and subsoil fill is ideal for this
- Building a dam or embankment — Clean clay is the traditional material for small farm dams
- Raising a lawn or garden area — Topsoil fill is best for this application
- Filling a gully or low-lying area — Any clean fill works for this
- Preparing a building pad — Compactable subsoil fill creates a stable base
- Road base and driveways — Gravel and roadbase fill is ideal
Frequently asked questions about tip sites
Do I need a licence to be a tip site?
For accepting small amounts of clean fill on private property, no licence is generally required in most Australian states. For larger volumes or commercial operations, check with your local council. Never accept contaminated material — doing so may create an environmental liability regardless of licensing.
How much fill can I accept?
There is no standard limit for private tip sites accepting clean fill. The practical constraint is how much space you have and how much material your land actually needs.
Can I find tip sites near me on ReadyFill?
Yes — if you’re an excavator looking for somewhere to take your material, you can browse registered tip sites (Need Fill listings) on ReadyFill by location and material type.
What is the difference between a tip site and a licensed tip?
A licensed tip (or transfer station) is a regulated commercial facility that accepts all types of waste and charges accordingly. A tip site is typically a private property that accepts specific clean fill material, usually for free, because the landowner wants the material for their own use.