Before you hire
Match the person to the job, then check the evidence
Pruning or removing a tree and preparing a report for council are different jobs. Ask who will do the work, check their relevant training and insurance, and agree a written scope before booking.
Start with the outcome you need: an assessment, a report, pruning, removal or stump work. If you are unsure whether removal is necessary, request an assessment and ask which options it will consider.
Ask for qualifications relevant to the work
Practical tree work
The national Certificate III in Arboriculture covers trade roles with different specialisations, including climbing and elevated work platforms. Ask which training and experience match the proposed tasks, who will supervise and who will operate equipment.
Assessments and reports
The Diploma of Arboriculture covers consulting and tree-management work, including assessment and report preparation. If a council, insurer or other organisation needs the report, ask it to confirm the author's required qualifications and the report format before commissioning it.
A qualification title alone does not confirm every task, equipment authorisation or council requirement. Ask about the actual people assigned to your job, including subcontractors.
Check the claimed membership category
Arboriculture Australia distinguishes open General Membership from registered practising and consulting categories with additional qualification, insurance and professional-development criteria. Check the exact registration claimed with the association. A logo or general membership should not replace checking the person's documents.
Verify a person's training
Request the certificate and the issuing training provider's details. The national training register describes courses and providers; it does not let you search every individual graduate. Where available, ask the holder to share an authenticated USI VET transcript and follow its verification process. An older award may need confirmation with its issuing provider.
Check the cover for this business and this work
Request current insurance evidence and clarify the work it covers. Government business-insurance guidance distinguishes public liability, professional indemnity and workers compensation; the applicable requirements and policy conditions need checking.
- Public liability
- Check the insured entity, policy dates, limit and whether the quoted tree work is covered. Ask about relevant exclusions and subcontractors.
- Reports and advice
- Ask about professional indemnity cover when commissioning a written assessment, report or other consulting advice.
- People on site
- Ask how the crew is engaged and what workers compensation arrangements apply. State and territory rules vary.
Clarify uncertain cover with the insurer or broker before work starts. A certificate is evidence to check, not a promise that every loss will be paid.
Get the work and exclusions in writing
Use the same brief for each business so you can compare what is included. Ask for a site assessment where access, structures or the tree's condition affect the method.
- Identify the trees and outcome: which trees, which branches or work, and whether assessment, pruning or removal is being quoted.
- Separate deliverables: a quote visit, written assessment and council report may be separate services and fees.
- Describe access and equipment: gates, slopes, nearby buildings, powerlines, traffic and any crane or platform arrangements.
- Specify the finish: timber, mulch and waste removal; whether stump grinding or excavation is included; and what will remain on site.
- Agree the terms: total price, exclusions, payment stages, weather delays, changes and any guarantee offered in writing.
Ask who checks and obtains any required permission before work begins. Our tree-approval guide explains where to start; confirm the requirements with the council responsible for the property.
For cost context, use the attributed examples in our tree-removal planning guide. Your written quote should reflect your tree and site. A low or high price alone does not establish competence.
Pause when important questions stay unanswered
- The business will not identify who is doing the work or substantiate the credentials it advertises.
- Insurance details remain unclear, documents do not match the quoted entity, or the scope stays verbal.
- You are pressured to pay or decide before checking approvals, documents and the proposed work.
- The contractor dismisses powerline, public-access or other site hazards without explaining how they will be managed.
Ask how the crew will manage access, falling material, equipment and emergency arrangements. Safe Work Australia's tree-work guidance covers these risks. The contractor should plan the method; do not enter the work area to inspect equipment yourself.
Work near overhead lines needs advice about the electricity authority's requirements. Keep away from trees or branches contacting lines and contact the network. For other concerning changes, see our tree-warning-signs guide.
A short checklist before booking
Use these checks during calls or a site visit. Keep copies of the documents and agreed scope.
Confirm the business identity separately from its skills. The Wombat's supplier ABN check does not establish arboriculture qualifications, insurance or approval to work on a particular tree.
Sources and verification tools
Reviewed 16 October 2026. Use the current documents and the relevant council, association or insurer to check your circumstances.
