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How to Become An Arborist

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What is a Arborist

An arborist is a tree care worker who keeps Australia’s urban forests healthy and safe. They climb trees, prune branches, treat disease, remove hazards, and advise clients.

It is a hands-on outdoor career. Arborists use chainsaws, climbing ropes, and specialist gear every day. They work in parks, streets, private gardens, and large sites across the country.

No two days are the same. One morning might mean pruning a heritage oak in a council park. The afternoon could mean writing a risk report or advising a homeowner on tree care.

Australia needs more arborists. Growing cities and a strong focus on urban green spaces mean steady work is available. The career also leads into consulting, management, and green science roles.

Compare courses and programs in Landscape Design

Career Outlook for Arborist

An arborist career offers steady work and real variety. Around 7,000 Australians work as arborists, and future demand is rated as moderate (yourcareer.gov.au, 2024). The median age is 36, making it a relatively young workforce with good long-term prospects.

Most arborists work full-time. About 80% of roles are full-time, averaging 41 hours per week (yourcareer.gov.au, 2024). The workforce is mostly male, with women making up around 3% of arborists. The industry is actively working to improve this balance.

Urban growth and a strong focus on green spaces keep demand for arborists steady. More trees are being planted in cities, and local councils need skilled arborists to manage them. As urban forestry grows as a field, career paths in arboriculture continue to expand.

On this Article

Introduction

Average Salaries

Resources

Steps to Become an Arborist

Step 1: Research the role and test your fit

Start by learning what arborist work involves day to day. The role means working outdoors at height, using powered tools, and lifting heavy material. Visit Arboriculture Australia at trees.org.au for an honest overview of the profession. Speak to working arborists if you can. First-hand advice is valuable.

Step 2: Complete the Certificate III in Arboriculture (AHC30824)

Enrol in the Certificate III in Arboriculture (AHC30824) at a TAFE or registered training organisation (RTO). This is Australia’s nationally recognised trade certificate for arborists. It covers climbing, pruning, rigging, tree removal, and safe tool use. You can complete it as an apprenticeship while working, which takes about two years. Or you can study full-time or part-time at a registered RTO.

Step 3: Get your chainsaw and high-risk work licences

Before you work in the field, you need a chainsaw operator ticket. If you operate an elevated work platform (EWP), you may also need a High Risk Work (HRW) licence. Check your state or territory’s WHS regulator for exact requirements. Safe Work Australia has a guide to managing risks in tree work that lists key duties for arborists.

Step 4: Build hands-on experience in a tree care role

Seek work with a tree care company, local council, or utilities firm after your Certificate III. Aim for at least two years of on-the-job experience. This builds your skill in real conditions and makes you a stronger candidate for advanced or team leader roles.

Step 5: Earn the ISA Certified Arborist credential or a Certificate IV in Arboriculture

Experienced arborists can earn the ISA Certified Arborist credential through the International Society of Arboriculture. This needs an exam and set experience and study criteria. The Certificate IV in Arboriculture (AHC41916, confirm the current code on training.gov.au) covers consulting and tree risk checks. It also builds skills in urban forest management. Both credentials lift your pay and open specialist career paths.

Step 6: Join Arboriculture Australia and keep learning

Become a member of Arboriculture Australia (trees.org.au), the national body for arborists. You get access to training, industry standards, events, and peers in the field. Attend workshops and stay up to date with safety rules and tree care techniques. Ongoing learning helps you do better work and grow in your career.

What does an Arborist do?

A typical day for an arborist blends physical work with expert assessment. They start by checking trees for disease, damage, or structural risk. Then comes the hands-on work: pruning, lopping, or treating trees with fertiliser or pest controls. Arborists also remove dead or unsafe trees and fit support systems for young plants. Throughout the day, they talk with clients and give advice on keeping trees healthy. It is active, varied work that makes a real difference to local landscapes and communities.

Tasks

Arborists keep trees healthy, safe, and looking their best. They work across residential, commercial, and public sites every day. Their skills protect people, property, and the natural environment.

  • Pruning: They cut back trees and hedges to support healthy growth and good form.
  • Condition assessment: Arborists check tree health and plan any treatment needed.
  • Lopping: They remove limbs using chainsaws or handsaws to reduce hazard and improve structure.
  • Pest control: They spray and dust plants to keep insects and disease under control.
  • Tree removal: Arborists safely remove dead or decaying trees to protect people and property.
  • Support installation: They fit stakes, cables, or guards to help young or weak trees grow safely.
  • Client advice: Arborists give clear guidance on tree care to homeowners, businesses, and councils.

Skills for Success

To work as an arborist, you need both practical skills and plant knowledge. You will learn how trees grow and what keeps them healthy. This helps you choose the right care approach for each tree and situation.

Physical ability is central to the job. Climbing, lifting, and working at heights are daily tasks. You will operate chainsaws and other powered tools, so safety training is a must. Every arborist needs to manage risk on the job site.

Good communication rounds out the skill set. You will deal with clients, councils, and colleagues every day. Being able to explain your findings clearly and give sound advice makes you a trusted and effective arborist.

Skills & Attributes

  • Knowledge of tree biology and ecology
  • Tree pruning and shaping techniques
  • Safe operation of chainsaws and climbing gear
  • Pest and disease identification and treatment
  • Risk assessment and hazard identification
  • Physical fitness for outdoor and at-height work
  • Effective written and verbal communication
  • Problem-solving and sound judgement
  • Teamwork on multi-person tree crews
  • Knowledge of WHS safety regulations for tree work
  • Time management across multiple client sites
  • Customer service and client advisory skills

Average Salaries

Arborists in Australia earn an average of around $75,000 per year (Arboriculture Australia, 2025). Entry-level roles start near $55,000 per year. Senior arborists and specialist roles can earn up to $100,000 or more.

min $55 K

max $100 K

av $75 K

About the author

Laura Atkinson - Course Finder Groups
Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.