Australia: AHC50524 Diploma of Arboriculture, units and rules
The code, status, entry units and packaging rules the national training register shows for the Diploma of Arboriculture, the consulting arborist and tree manager qualification.
Checked against the sources at the bottom of this page on October 8, 2026. Rules, fees and pay change: the source has the last word.
This page reports what the national training register says about one qualification. It is not advice on which course to take. The register is the place to check the current text.
The record
| Item | What the register shows |
|---|---|
| Code and title | AHC50524 Diploma of Arboriculture |
| Status | Current, from May 1, 2024 |
| Release | Release 2, current from February 11, 2025, issued with Training Package Release 11.0. Release 1 came with Version 10.0 |
| Entry requirements | Units AHCARB314 Implement a tree maintenance program, AHCARB316 Perform pruning operations and AHCARB323 Identify trees, or their equivalent |
| Units | 10: 8 core and 2 elective |
The register describes the qualification as skills and knowledge for consulting arborists and tree managers. It says graduates assess trees and produce reports and documents about tree health and risk, diagnose tree disorders and defects, and write recommendations on tree establishment, canopy management, remediation, habitat development and removals, within a legislative and regulatory framework. It adds that legislation, regulations and by-laws on establishing, treating and removing trees apply in some states and territories.
The three entry units are core units of the Certificate III. See the page on the Certificate III in Arboriculture. What consulting arborist work involves in each country is in the consulting arborist guide.
The eight core units
| Code | Unit title |
|---|---|
| AHCARB408 | Perform a ground-based tree defect evaluation |
| AHCARB508 | Identify, select and specify trees |
| AHCARB509 | Develop an arboricultural impact assessment report |
| AHCARB510 | Specify and audit tree work |
| AHCARB511 | Prepare arborist reports |
| AHCARB513 | Examine and assess trees |
| AHCARB514 | Diagnose tree diseases |
| AHCWRK517 | Interpret legislation |
How the two electives are chosen
The packaging rules say at least one elective comes from the elective list. One more may come from the list or from this or any other endorsed training package or accredited course at AQF level 4 or above.
| Code | Elective unit title |
|---|---|
| AHCARB512 | Generate tree plans using computer-aided design software |
| AHCARB613 | Conduct complex tree hazard and health assessment post-fire |
| AHCBUS515 | Prepare estimates, quotes and tenders |
| AHCNRM513 | Manipulate and analyse data within geographic information systems |
| AHCPCM602 | Develop and implement a plant health management strategy |
| AHCPGD509 | Develop and implement a streetscape management plan |
| AHCWRK506 | Collect and manage data |
| AHCWRK514 | Manage trial and research material |
| AHCWRK515 | Assess new industry developments |
| AHCWRK516 | Implement professional practice |
| AHCWRK519 | Audit site operations |
| AHCWRK520 | Develop workplace policy and procedures for environment and sustainability |
| BSBAUD515 | Evaluate and review compliance |
| BSBOPS601 | Develop and implement business plans |
| BSBTEC401 | Design and produce complex text documents |
| CPPSSI5035 | Create spatial data |
| CPPSSI5064 | Conduct complex spatial data analysis |
AHCARB613 has a prerequisite in the register: AHCARB408 Perform a ground-based tree defect evaluation, which is also a core unit of this diploma, and AHCARB513 Examine and assess trees, also core. Tree risk qualifications from other bodies are covered in the tree risk assessment guide.