Weining from crate

Question
We are trying to wean our dog from his crate he is 10 month old Aussie. He is crated when we are at work or when we have to go out somewhere. At night he is out of his crate all night and is very well behaved when we are at home. We did try a couple months ago to leave him out for short periods when we weren't at home but he got in trouble and tore stuff up. So when is a good time to try again, he is very smart and does know when he is doing wrong it's just keeping him from doing it. Also we are having problems with him in the yard digging holes.

Answer
Digging and destructive behavior are often symptomatic of a dog that is bored.  Aussies are not a breed that does well without a "job" and with too much crate time.  Of course, I realize that your dog is an adolescent and may not be out of the second chewing phase yet, so you may not want to leave him unattended outside of the crate yet when you aren't there.
In another couple of months, I would try, perhaps on the weekends, to leave him alone for short periods of time at first and see how he does.  
As to the digging, you might want to create a "digging pit" for him.  Like a sandbox for dogs:-)  It will require you to be outside with him at first.  You can bury dog biscuits in it, help him dig them up so he knows that's where the stash is, and redirect him to the pit whenever he tries digging anywhere else.
To increase his level of mental exercise (give him a "job"), you can feed him from puzzle toys (Buster cube, Treatstik, Tug a Jug, etc.), or, if he is an only dog, you can even spread his kibble around the house and let him "hunt" for it.  The Nina Ottosan toys are great for Aussies!