Why there's no licence to check
Arboriculture Australia, a membership body for arborists, describes arboriculture as an unregulated industry, and we found no licence scheme for arborists anywhere in Australia. Wingecarribee Shire Council in NSW says the same in its own words: the industry isn't uniformly regulated, so check an arborist's qualifications, experience and insurance yourself.
So if someone says they hold an arborist licence, ask which one. There isn't one to hold.
The licence that does turn up is for machinery. Safe Work Australia says workers need a high risk work licence to operate a boom-type elevating work platform (a cherry picker) where the boom is 11 m or more.
Qualifications worth asking about
The trade qualification is the Certificate III in Arboriculture, code AHC30824, listed as current since 1 May 2024. Older certificates carry AHC30820 or AHC30816, earlier versions of the same qualification. It's AQF Level 3 and covers trade roles such as climbing arborist and crane specialist.
For a report, ask for the Diploma of Arboriculture, code AHC50524, which is AQF Level 5 and the consulting arborist qualification. Some councils insist on it: Wingecarribee wants permit reports from a consulting arborist with at least AQF Level 5.
Memberships are a separate thing. Arboriculture Australia's registered levels are industry credentials an arborist applies for, and the International Society of Arboriculture is a private international society. Neither is an Australian training qualification or a government licence, though both are fair to ask about.
What to ask any arborist before saying yes
- Can I see your public liability certificate of currency, with the expiry date on it?
- Do you carry workers compensation for the people working on my job?
- Who will actually do the work, and what qualification do they hold?
- Does this tree need a council permit, and who's applying for it?
- How will it come down, and what happens to the stump, the wood and the mess?
- Can I have all of that in a written quote?
Why their insurance matters to you
Financial Rights Legal Centre says to make sure anyone doing tree work has insurance cover, or you may have to pay for any property they damage. It also says a common exclusion in home policies is damage to other people's property while you, or someone you hire, is cutting or lopping trees. That's why the arborist's own cover is the one to see.
Reasons to slow down
- Someone at the door after a storm offering to clear trees for cash up front. The Insurance Council of Australia warned about exactly this after a 2021 Sydney storm.
- No insurance paperwork when you ask for it.
- A figure for a big tree before anyone has looked at it properly.
- Being told not to worry about the council for a large or old tree.
Nearby Arborist's own checks
Insurance and qualifications checked.
Whoever you hire, make three checks of your own before work starts. See the public liability certificate of currency and the date it runs to. Ask what qualification the person doing your job holds, and for a report, look for a consulting arborist at AQF Level 5. And ask your council whether the tree needs a permit, and who's applying for it.