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Removing trees can be dangerous work. Professional arborists are the experts who can safely prune, trim, remove and manage trees as well as stumps and roots.
Licensing of Arborists
In Australia, arborists do not need a licence to practice arboriculture. However, WorkCover New South Wales, the Tree Contractors Association of Australia, the National Arborists Association of Australia and the Local Government Tree Resources Association recommend that professional arborists have:
It is also important that the arborist carries out his or her work to satisfy the WorkCover Code of Practice: Amenity Tree Industry 1998.
In New South Wales as in all other states and territories there is no specific licence for arborists. That being said, the arborist you choose should have:
A business licence provides peace of mind that the arborist is operating as a legal business entity. A current workers compensation insurance policy and public liability insurance policy protects you if the arborist damages your property (or a neighbours). It also safeguards you if someone is injured when the work is being done. The arborist and anyone in their team carrying out ground or tree climbing work should have a relevant qualification, as listed in the section above.
Although Victorian arborists do not need a licence, they should represent a professional business and hold the proper insurance and minimum qualification as listed above. You can also ask the arborist for proof of their competence, such as images of recent projects, references or their ABN number. This can provide assurance that your arborist is experienced and has built a solid reputation for safe and successful work.
In Victoria, according to most council regulations, any tree location within 10 metres of a property can be removed without permission from council. There can be other restrictions, however, so contact your local council for specific guidelines.
As with all other Australian states and territories, arborists and tree workers in Queensland do not need a licence to work.
Still, youll want to ensure the arborist is licenced and qualified to prune, remove or manage trees on your property. If the contractor hasnt obtained a minimum Certificate II in Horticulture (Arboriculture), they could cause considerable damage to your home, or a neighbouring property. You could even be liable for the costs associated with that damage.
It is also wise to check the arborists insurances. They must be able to show you a current (that is, under 12 months old) Certificate of Currency for Workers Compensation Insurance when submitting their quote. Review the legal and trading names and ABN against the information provided in the quote. Also ensure the WIC cod is 95250.
Arborists in South Australia do not need a licence to carry out work. However, every job they undertake should meet the requirements stipulated in the WorkCover Code of Practice: Amenity Tree Industry 1998.
Since a licence is not required, you may like to contact your local council, as they may have regulations for tree removal. For example, some councils allow dead or dying trees to be removed without permission. However, you will likely need to hire a professional arborist for the job.
As in other states, you should check the arborist has:
As tree work can be dangerous, only a professional arborist should conduct it. And while arborists in Western Australia are not required by law to have a licence, you should check that they have:
Your local council is an important source, and you should check their specific regulations around pruning and removing trees.
When requesting a quote from an arborist, ensure they provide their contact information and ABN. Also check their workers compensation certificate ensure it is current and contains the correct ABN and WIC code 95250.
Tasmania is similar to other states, in that arborists do not need a licence to work. However, your local council will likely have a set of regulations that must be followed.
For instance, if tree work is done within 3 metres of a power line, the arborist must be accredited and have a recognised qualification. Ensure the arborist supplies you with this information.
Safety is imperative when it comes to tree work. While the contractor will assess the property for hazards before they begin, you should let them know of anything that may cause damage or harm to people or property, such as plumbing or gas.
Licensing for arborists in the ACT and Canberra is the same as other states and territories it simply is not required. So you should do your homework before selecting a contactor.
You can do this by checking that they hold:
While the contractor should always put safety first, anyone else on your property should keep clear of the work area. If you or another person ignores the contractors safety stipulations, you could be injured or liable for any damage or injuries.
In the Northern Territory, a licence is not required to prune or remove trees or carry out related tree work. That being said, it is important to select a professional arborist. Only they have the tools, experience, skills and qualifications to properly manage or remove trees, stumps and roots.
You can check these criteria with your local council. You may need permission to remove a tree if its trunk exceeds a stipulated diameter. Certain species are also protected, while trees in fire-prone areas attract unique regulations.
The contractor must also be able to supply you with proof of insurances, a recognised qualification any references or photos at your request. Also check that your arborist is running a legal, registered business. They can provide all of this information at the time of quoting.