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An arborist report is a formal assessment of a tree's health, structure, and safety, written by a qualified consulting arborist. In Perth, you'll usually need one for three reasons: to remove a protected tree, to lodge a development application, or to deal with a tree that has become a hazard. Here's how it works.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- What it is: a formal document on a tree’s health, risk and recommended management, prepared by a consulting arborist.
- When you need one: council removal permits, development applications, and hazardous-tree or insurance matters.
- Who writes it: most Perth councils only accept reports from an AQF Level 5 (Diploma of Arboriculture) consulting arborist.
- What it costs: roughly $300 to $500 for a single tree, and more for detailed development reports.
What Is an Arborist Report?
It's a written assessment of one or more trees, prepared after an on-site inspection. The report records each tree's species, size, health, and structural condition, gives a risk rating, and sets out a clear recommendation: retain, prune, remove, or transplant. For building sites, it also maps the tree protection zone. Councils treat it as independent, qualified evidence when they weigh up an application, which is why the author's credentials matter.
When Do You Need an Arborist Report in Perth?
Three situations account for most requests across the Perth metro area.
Removing a protected or significant tree.
Many councils want a report confirming a tree is dead, dying, or dangerous before they approve removal. Our guide to Perth council tree removal rules covers the approval process.
Development applications.
If you're building, extending or subdividing, councils increasingly ask for an arboricultural impact assessment showing how the work affects trees worth keeping, both on your block and next door.
A hazardous tree, insurance claim or neighbour dispute.
A report gives you an independent, documented opinion on a tree’s condition. That overlaps with a tree risk assessment, though a full report is broader.
Who Can Write One, and What Does It Cost?
Not every tree worker qualifies. Most Perth local governments only accept reports from a consulting arborist holding a minimum AQF Level 5 qualification, the Diploma of Arboriculture. You can find accredited consultants through ArbWest, the Western Australian arborist association. Cost depends on how many trees are involved and how detailed the assessment needs to be. The ranges below are a general guide only, so it's worth getting a quote for your site.
| Report type |
Typical use |
Indicative cost |
| Basic single-tree assessment |
Removing one protected tree |
$300 to $500 |
| Detailed multi-tree report |
Several trees, health and risk |
$500 to $1,500 |
| Development impact assessment |
Development applications |
$1,500 to $3,000+ |
What's Inside the Report?
A thorough report usually covers:
- Tree species, size and an age estimate
- Health and structural condition
- A risk rating, often from a visual tree assessment
- Tree protection zones for any nearby works
- A clear recommendation and management plan for each tree
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an arborist report to remove a dead tree in Perth?
Often no. Many councils exempt dead, dying or dangerous trees from approval, though some still want written evidence. Check your local government first. If they ask for proof, an AQF Level 5 arborist can inspect the tree and document its condition.
How long does an arborist report take?
Usually a few days to a week. The arborist inspects the tree on site, then writes up the findings. Reports covering several trees or a development site take longer, so allow extra time before any council or application deadline.
Is an arborist report the same as a tree risk assessment?
They overlap but aren't identical. A risk assessment focuses on the chance and consequence of failure. A full arborist report is broader, covering health, structure, retention value and recommendations, usually for council or development purposes.
Need a Tree Assessed?
If a tree on your property looks unhealthy or unsafe, get it assessed before you apply to the council or start building. Lumberjacks WA's qualified Perth arborists can inspect it and carry out tree removal or pruning if that's what it needs. Get in touch to talk it through.
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