Start here: tree work in Australia

This page is a map. It names the official body for each question and points to the longer guides on this site. It is not legal or immigration advice. Australia's states and territories differ, so the body you need depends on where the work is. Official page details below are as of October 5, 2026, and rules change.

Who sets the safety rules

Work health and safety is run by each state and territory regulator, with Safe Work Australia producing national guidance. SafeWork NSW issued a safety alert in July 2024 after seven serious incidents involving tree work and arboriculture since February 2024, and the alert lists an Amenity tree industry document among its related guidance. The editorial note of the SafeWork NSW Tree works code of practice says that code commenced on March 27, 2026 and replaces the 1998 Amenity Tree Industry Code of practice. WorkSafe Victoria has a notice from January 2020 on its Working safely with trees guidance note. WorkSafe WA covers elevating work platforms.

The other states and territories have regulators of their own. How the five countries compare is in safety rules for tree work, country by country.

Tickets and certificates employers ask for

The Arboriculture Australia join page calls arboriculture an unregulated industry. That is an industry body's description, not a regulator's, so the regulator in each state is the source for any rule that applies to the job.

Where the law does name a licence, it is for specific equipment. WorkSafe WA says a high risk work licence is needed to operate a boom-type EWP where the length of the boom is 11 m or more. The SafeWork NSW alert says that if a crane or EWP is used, only a licensed and qualified person is allowed to operate it.

Employers also name training qualifications, most often the Certificate III in Arboriculture. The details, with codes and dates from the national training register, are in certifications by country. See also choosing a climbing course and apprenticeships.

The main associations

The group called Arboriculture Australia describes itself as the national industry body for arboriculture. Its committees and associations page lists state and territory bodies, including the Queensland Arboricultural Association and Arb West for Western Australia. The Queensland Arboricultural Association says it represents arborists in Queensland and northern New South Wales. Membership grades and prices change, so the association pages carry the current ones. See also associations and reading.

Where official pay figures live

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes modern awards, such as the Gardening and Landscaping Services Award 2020. That page does not mention arborists, so which award covers a given tree job is a question for the Fair Work Ombudsman. The government's Your Career arborist page gives employment figures and shows no pay figure. The tables and caveats are in what tree workers earn, country by country.

Reporting a tree pest

Plant Health Australia says any unusual plant pest or disease should be reported immediately to the relevant state or territory agriculture agency through the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881. Its reporting page says the call goes to an automated menu where you choose the state or territory, and that in some states and territories the hotline only operates during business hours. Pests that matter to tree crews are covered in pests and diseases.

Checking visa and work rights from abroad

The Department of Home Affairs says on its working in Australia page that if you want to come to Australia to work you will need a visa that suits the work you intend to do. For a comparison with other countries, see working abroad.

Where events are listed

For this site, see the events page, which is a preview with sample entries. The Queensland Arboricultural Association page above says it offers memberships, events and community support. For jobs, see finding climbing work.

At a glance

Question	Where to look
Safety rules	State and territory regulator
EWP licence	State regulator, such as WorkSafe WA
Association	Arboriculture Australia, state bodies
Pay	Fair Work Ombudsman, Your Career
Pest report	Exotic Plant Pest Hotline
Visa	Department of Home Affairs

More guides for tree work in Australia

What the law asks instead of a licence, in the licensing guide.
Units and qualifications by their codes, in the tickets guide.
Renewals and CPD, in the keeping certified guide.
Jobs beyond climbing, in the career paths guide.
Official outlook figures, in the career outlook guide.
Line clearance as a line of work, in the utility line clearance guide.
Safety reading at no cost, in the free safety resources guide.
Crisis and support lines, in the mental health and support guide.
Local groups near you, in the chapters and branches guide.
How a tree works, in the tree biology guide.
Naming the tree in front of you, in the tree identification guide.
Planting and nursery stock rules, in the planting standards guide.
Free courses and reading, in the free learning library.
Council tree rules, in the Australia and New Zealand council rules guide.
Safety rules place by place, in the state and province rules guide.
Published injury cover rates for tree work, in the injury cover rates guide.
Minimum wages and award rates, in the minimum pay guide.
Risk assessments and equipment records, in the site paperwork guide.
Who must report a work injury, in the injury reporting guide.
Official injury and death figures, in the injury figures guide.
Crane operator licences and lifting rules, in the cranes guide.
Public lookups for a tree company, in the company checks guide.
Approved contractor and credential-check schemes, in the schemes guide.
Every regulator, licence office and scheme in one list, in the Australia directory of official bodies.
Helmet standards and the markings to look for, in the helmets guide.
Visors, glasses and ear defenders, in the eye, face and hearing guide.
Chainsaw trousers, chaps and boots by label, in the chainsaw clothing guide.
Line, lanyard and friction cord ratings, in the climbing lines guide.
Saddle and harness standards, in the saddles and harnesses guide.
The numbers stamped on carabiners and pulleys, in the hardware ratings guide.
High-visibility clothing for roadside work, in the hi-vis guide.
Gear inspection and examination rules, in the gear inspection guide.
Unit conversions and green wood weights, on the tools page.