Certified arborist services in Australia. Reports, permits, assessments.
An arborist isn't a tree removalist with a fancier title. It's the person who tells you whether the tree needs to come out at all, writes the report council requires, and stands behind the recommendation if anything's questioned later.
What "qualified arborist" actually means
The trade has a defined qualification pathway in Australia. The shorthand:
- AQF Level 3 Certificate III in Arboriculture — the minimum to climb, operate a chainsaw, and run ground crew. About 18 months of TAFE plus on-job assessment.
- qualified arborist — the qualification required to write consulting reports, diagnose tree health, prepare council permit applications, and act as an expert witness. Two-year diploma.
- Membership of Arboriculture Australia — the national professional body. Voluntary but signals continuing professional development.
"Tree surgeon" is a marketing term, not a qualification. "Master arborist" is American (ISA Certified Arborist) and not regulated in Australia. If you need a report for council, ask for the writer's qualified arborist number.
What we provide
Tree health report ($400–$700)
Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) following the recognised methodology. Documents species, dimensions, structural condition, fungal indicators, deadwood proportion, and prognosis. Used for insurance claims, neighbour disputes, and pre-removal council submissions. Issued as a PDF with photos and an executive summary, signed off by an qualified arborist arborist.
Pre-purchase tree assessment ($400–$800)
If you're buying a property with mature trees, this report tells you what you're inheriting. Each significant tree is assessed for health, structural risk, removal cost if needed, council protection status, and likely lifecycle expectations. A common-sense investment if a property has gums, figs, or anything over 10m near the house line.
Council permit application ($200–$500)
We handle the council form, supporting arborist statement, photographs, and follow-up. Applies to Significant Tree Register entries, heritage overlays, vegetation protection orders. Lead time is council-dependent — typically 4–8 weeks. Check whether your tree needs one first.
Hazard tree assessment ($300–$600)
Risk-rated assessment of a specific tree following the QTRA (Quantified Tree Risk Assessment) framework. Outputs a 1-in-X risk rating against accepted thresholds. Useful when an insurer, buyer, or strata committee needs documented evidence the tree is or isn't a hazard.
Tree protection plan ($800–$2,500)
For development applications. Identifies trees to be retained, prescribes Tree Protection Zones (TPZ) per AS 4970, specifies fencing and root-zone protection. Required by most councils for any DA where mature trees are within 10m of works.
Expert witness / dispute report ($1,500+)
For boundary tree disputes, insurance disputes, or VCAT/NCAT proceedings. Independent assessment with detailed methodology, photos, and findings. Hourly rate applies if attendance is required.
The Visual Tree Assessment method (what's in the report)
A proper VTA follows a defined sequence. We document each step so the report holds up if council, an insurer or a tribunal scrutinises it:
Tree identification & dimensions
Species (common + Latin), DBH (diameter at breast height), total height, crown spread, age estimate.
Site context
Soil conditions, recent works near root zone, nearby structures, services overhead and underground.
External structural assessment
Lean angle, root flare visibility, codominant stems, included bark, cavities, fruiting bodies, response wood.
Crown condition
Live crown ratio, deadwood proportion, foliage colour and density, dieback patterns.
Internal assessment (if warranted)
Resistograph or sonic tomography to detect internal decay. Quoted separately if required.
Risk evaluation & recommendations
Findings rated against accepted methodology. Recommendation: retain, monitor, prune, or remove.
The protected red gum and the angry developer
A developer rang us to quote removal of "a few trees" before a knockdown-rebuild in inner Melbourne. The lot had a 90-year-old red gum about 18m high. The developer hadn't checked the council's Significant Tree Register. We did, before the quote — the tree was on it. Removing it without a permit would have been a $24,000 fine plus a likely refusal on the rebuild DA.
We told the developer. He was annoyed. He paid us $400 for an arborist report and a permit application. Council refused. He kept the tree, rebuilt around it, and the finished house ended up on the cover of a developer magazine because of the gum out the front.
Most arborist work is the report that tells you what you can and can't do. The chainsaw is the easy part.
When you don't need a full arborist report
- Removing an unprotected tree under 6m — most councils don't require any report. Just a removal quote from a qualified arborist who's willing to put their name on it.
- Standard pruning of an unprotected tree — same. The arborist quoting the work is the only sign-off needed.
- Strata/body corporate disputes about leaf litter — usually resolved with a one-page email opinion ($150) rather than a full $700 report. Ask if a lighter touch will do.
- Dead tree removal where everyone agrees the tree is dead — no report needed. Photos and a removal quote.
Where we work
Frequently asked
What's a certified arborist?
In Australia, a qualified arborist holds AQF certification — Level 3 Certificate to climb and run chainsaws, Level 5 Diploma to write consulting reports and permit applications.
How much does an arborist report cost?
Tree health report: $400–$700. Pre-purchase: $400–$800. Council permit application: $200–$500. Hazard assessment: $300–$600. Development tree protection plan: $800–$2,500.
Do I need an arborist report for council?
Almost always for protected trees — Significant Tree Register, Heritage Overlay, Vegetation Protection Order. Council requires a Level 5 arborist report supporting the removal application.
Can you assess a tree for safety?
Yes — hazard tree assessment covers lean, root flare, fungal indicators, deadwood, structural defects. Report includes a recommendation: monitor, prune, or remove.
How long does a report take?
Site visit usually within a week. Report turnaround 5–10 business days. Faster if it's an insurance deadline (let us know).
Will the report support a council appeal?
Yes — our reports follow the standard arboricultural methodology councils accept. If the report finds removal is justified and council still refuses, the same report supports an appeal to VCAT, NCAT or your state's planning tribunal.