How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Australia?
Comprehensive Tree Removal Cost Guide
So you’re wondering what it actually costs to remove a tree professionally in Australia these days? With prices changing all the time, it’s smart to get up-to-date estimates.
This 2024 guide breaks down average tree removal prices by size, provides cost examples for common species, plus gives an overview of key pricing factors – helping you budget for your project.
Most standard trees between 5 to 15m tall cost $800 to $2,500 to fully remove in 2024, with gum and oak species at the lower end starting from $500 and mature palms ranging upwards of $1,500.
But there’s a lot that impacts your final bill – let’s take a closer look.
Key Factors That Influence Tree Removal Costs
While tree size plays a major pricing role, several other considerations alter cost:
- Location/Access – Is your tree in the backyard or front yard? Are there space constraints for special equipment? Difficult access can bump quotes $200+.
- Safety Issues – Proximity to houses, power lines or roof risks complicates removal and may require rigging or climbing specialists.
- Stump Grinding – This ranges $100-$300 depending on stump size. Expect another $300+ for root system removal.
- Transportation & Waste Disposal – $100 to rent a ute up to 2 hours or $250+ for truck hire and green waste charges.
- Council Permits – Protected trees can cost $250+ in arborist and application fees.
Average Tree Removal Costs by Size in 2024
To give you an overview of typical price ranges, here’s what you can expect to pay for tree removal based solely on height:
- Average prices don’t include stump or waste removal
- Indicative costs only – get free custom quotes to confirm
As shown, there’s a big difference between removing a small 10m tree in your front yard for $900 compared to a huge 30m+ tangled in power lines costing upwards of $5,000!
Also remember large trees >30m require council approval before removal, adding $250+ in potential permit fees.
Next, let’s break down prices by common tree species…
Gum Tree Removal
These are the most common type professional arborists are hired to remove in Queensland. In 2024, you can expect to pay:
- Small <10m – $480 to $850
- Medium 10 to 15m – $800 to $1,500
- Large 15 to 25m – $1,200 to $2,800
- Extra large 25m+ – $2,500+
With their tall, dense canopies, removing large gums often requires climbing rigging specialists and cherry picker equipment to dismantle – significantly bumping costs.
Pricing aspects like access and power line risk can add $500+ to large gum removal jobs
Oak Tree Removal
Next up is majestic oak tree prices:
- Small oak <10m – $480 to $750
- Medium oak 10 to 15m – $700 to $1,300
- Large oak 15 to 25m – $1,100 to $2,500
- Extra large oak 25m+ – $2,200+
Oaks have wide spreading canopies requiring careful dismantling branch by branch to protect surrounding property. Their dense wood also makes stump removal physically demanding.
Palm Tree Removal
Palms may not be tall, but they have other tricky removal challenges. Here’s the price range:
- Small palm <5m – $250 to $600
- Single trunk palm 5 to 12m – $700 to $1,500
- Multi trunk palm 10 to 15m – $900 to $2,000
Palms have no branches so avoiding property damage means precisely felling trees using rigging equipment. Thatch removal and hollow trunk removal costs extra too.
Other Common Species
Here’s a quick list of expected removal costs for other popular trees:
- Small fruit tree <5m – $150 to $350
- Medium mango/citrus <8m – $480 to $950
- Large fig 10 to 15m – $950 to $1,800
- Huge blackbean 20m+ – $2,800+
- Weeping willow 10m – $750 to $1,500
- Brush box 12m – $900 to $1,700
- Camphor laurel 8m – $650 to $1,200
And keep reading for average per tree costs in major Australian cities further below…
Understanding Rules & Permit Fees
One thing that takes folks by surprise is Brisbane City’s regulations around removing significant and regulated trees, which are any type over 5m located:
- In a heritage protection zone
- On private land visible from public parks
- In community title schemes
Removing these trees in Brisbane requires approval, with fees starting from $256 for the application alone.
You’ll also need to pay approximately $150+ for an arborist to inspect the tree condition and write a Damage, Removal or Pruning report to submit.
So just applying to remove a single regulated tree can cost $400+ before any physical work!
And if unapproved removal is discovered, fines of up to $667 per tree apply. Make sure you get the right permissions first!
Serious Dangers of DIY Tree Removal
We totally understand the temptation to grab a chainsaw and take matters into your own hands – some cash in your pocket sounds pretty good!
But did you know:
✔️ 1 in 5 injuries are from DIY falls – Often off ladders or incorrectly using climbing gear.
✔️ 32% of claims stem from property damage – From poor dismantling technique without proper ropes, pulleys and training. One mistake can smash thousands in roof tiles or a greenhouse!
So aside from risking a $667 fine, DIY removal can seriously damage your home, possessions or health.
Even with safety equipment and training, disasters can strike. Why risk an accident when professional removal starts from $480?
Leave it to reputable experts with million dollar public liability insurance instead.
Choosing a Licensed Tree Removal Company
When obtaining quotes from qualified arborists and tree surgeons, you want to look for:
Certifications
- AQF Level 3 Arboriculture certification or higher
- First Aid/CPR
- Elevated Work Platform (EWP) licence
- Queensland Class 2 Chainsaw Safety Training
Insurance & Association Memberships
- $20 million public liability cover
- Worker’s compensation insurance
- Member of Arboriculture Australia or Tree Contractors Association Australia
Services Offered
- Tree pruning, removal and grinding stumps
- Clearing/chipping services
- Free quotes & arborist reports
- Bracing, cabling and bolt installations
- 24/7 emergency tree removal job
What To Ask Upfront
- Do you have certified arborists on staff?
- What’s your job staging/specialised equipment process?
- Will you obtain tree removal permits if needed?
- Do you offer guarantees on work?
- Can I see license, insurance and association certificates?
Be sure to get 3+ quotes from accredited professionals before deciding.
And if a deal seems too cheap to be true – walk away. Cowboy operators offering cash deals for half the standard price may cut corners on safety precautions, insurance and clean up.
Average Cost Of Tree Removal in Major Australian Cities
Wondering how Brisbane prices compare to Sydney, Melbourne and other major cities? Here’s a quick comparison:
Here is the completed table comparing average rates across major Australian cities:
| City | Small Tree <10m | Medium Tree 10-15m | Large Tree 15-25m | Extra Large 25m+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane | $480 – $850 | $800 – $1,500 | $1,200 – $2,800 | $2,500+ |
| Sydney | $550 – $950 | $900 – $1,700 | $1,350 – $3,100 | $2,800+ |
| Melbourne | $500 – $800 | $850 – $1,450 | $1,250 – $2,900 | $2,600+ |
| Perth | $450 – $750 | $750 – $1,250 | $1,100 – $2,400 | $2,300+ |
| Adelaide | $400 – $700 | $650 – $1,150 | $950 – $2,200 | $2,000+ |
Prices are averaged across common tree species and standard removal needs. They don’t include additional tree costs from access issues, root system removal, waste transportation, permits etc.
As shown above, costs in Brisbane are very comparable to Sydney and Melbourne, while generally 10-15% cheaper than Perth or Adelaide.
But so much depends on your individual tree, site conditions and extra services needed. Always get multiple quotes for tree removal from local arborists to compare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I always need a permit to remove trees in Brisbane?
No, only significant and regulated trees over 5m height require council permission. But for any tree, always check rules for your property.
Should I consider removing the tree myself to save money?
We strongly advise using qualified professionals unless you have extensive equipment access, training and insurance. The risks of injury or property damage doing it yourself are extremely high.
What’s the total cost if I need stump removal too?
Expect to pay $100-$300 extra for standard removal of tree stumps to 300mm depth. Full root system removal bumps this over $500+. Many companies offer package deals combining tree felling and stump services.
Key Takeaways: Tree Removal Service Costs in 2024
To recap key learnings:
- Average prices range $480 – $850 for small trees under 10 metres, up to $2,500+ for extra large trees 25m+.
- Gum and oak removal is very common and affordable starting at $480 – but palm cost more from $700+
- Always consider extra expenses like stump removal, waste transport, permit applications and special access requirements
- Leaving the work to qualified professionals is highly recommended over tackling it in a DIY capacity
