Whether you’re dealing with a dangerous gum tree overhanging your roof, a dead palm that needs to come out, or a large tree creating too much shade, understanding what drives tree removal costs is the first step to getting a fair price.
Based on our experience connecting Australians to qualified arborists for tree removal services, we find that tree removal in Australia typically costs between $500 and $22,000. On average, most residential jobs will see homeowners spend between $1,500 to $3,500.
What influences this cost? It depends on tree size, species, access, location and various other factors. Let’s take a closer look.
Professional tree removal in Australia is a technically demanding, labour-intensive, and genuinely hazardous trade. Here’s what’s built into the cost:
Equipment & Machinery: Most local arborists have invested $100,000–$300,000 in equipment like chainsaws, stump grinders, EWPs, mulchers, and chippers. All of it requires ongoing insurance and maintenance.
Insurance: All the professional arborists we work with carry up to $10 million in public liability insurance. This matters because many home insurers will void a claim if damage occurs during work carried out by an uninsured contractor. Workers’ compensation adds roughly 9% on top of wages, and this cost is non-negotiable for reputable operators.
Skilled Labour: Even a modest job requires a minimum of three trained crew members. Certified arborists command a higher rate, and climbing and rigging a large tree demands genuine expertise.
How Much Does Tree Removal Cost by Tree Size?
Tree size is the single biggest factor in determining tree removal costs. Larger trees require more time, more crew members, heavier equipment, and carry higher risk to remove. All of these factors are reflected in the final price.
| Tree | Height | Price Range | Common Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 5 - 6m | $500 – $1,500 | Lilly Pilly, Bottlebrush, Crepe Myrtle, Magnolia |
| Medium | 6 - 9m | $1,500 – $3,000 | Silver Birch, Weeping Willow, Banksia, Sheoak |
| Large | 9 - 20m | $3,000 – $7,000 | Red Gum, Silky Oak, Lemon Scented Gum, Bunya Pine |
| Extra-large | 20 - 50m | $7,000 – $22,000 | Norfolk Island Pine, Moreton Bay Fig, Coastal Blackbutt |
What Other Factors Affect the Cost of Tree Removal?
Tree Species
Not all trees are equal. The species involved affects not just time, but the rigging approach and equipment required.
For instance, a Liquid Amber with its light canopy is a very different job to a mature Ironbark or Date Palm with a dense, heavy canopy covered in spikes. Large gum trees near structures almost always require section-by-section lowering rather than felling. This all adds significant time and skill to the job.
Property Access
How easily equipment can reach the tree is one of the most underestimated cost factors. We find that if a chipper truck, for instance, can park close to the base, the job moves quickly. If everything has to be hand-dragged through a narrow gate, labour time multiplies fast.
- Wide driveway or open front yard: lowest cost
- Narrow gate or restricted backyard: higher cost
- No vehicle access at all: significant premium
As another example, trees located near power lines almost always require additional safety coordination and often need to be scheduled with the local electricity distributor before any work begins. This can affect both pricing and lead time, sometimes by days.
It’s worth noting as well that the terrain can indirectly be a cost influence too by affecting site accessibility. Uneven or sloped terrain can make waste transport more difficult and require more frequent breaks for the crew, so take that into account.
Tree Health and Condition
A dead or dying tree is always more expensive to remove. Dead wood is structurally unpredictable, requiring additional safety lines, slower cutting, and often a cherry picker or crane. General rule: add 20–40% to standard prices for dead or structurally compromised trees.
Emergency Tree Removal
Emergency callouts attract a substantial premium. These jobs are typically done outside business hours in hazardous weather and require rapid crew mobilisation.
Pro tip: If a tree falls after a storm, call the SES first on 132 500. They can secure the area and remove immediate hazards, giving you time to get a proper daytime quote for the clean-up at a much lower rate.
Time of Year
Tree removal is seasonal. Winter tends to be quieter, with better availability and more competitive pricing. Scheduling in the off-season can save around 10%. Best time to save: late summer to early autumn (Feb–Mar) or winter (Jun–Aug).
Permits and Arborist Reports
Council permit fees typically range from $65 to $250. Many trees over 5 metres require council approval. Check your local council’s tree regulations to confirm what applies to your property. Some councils also require an independent arborist report (~$500) before granting a permit, and this report does not guarantee approval.
Arborists vs. Gardeners
For trees under 5 metres, a local garden maintenance operator is often perfectly adequate and can be a good way for you to save money on tree removal costs. For anything over 5 metres, always use a certified arborist.
How Much Does
Tree Removal Cost by City?
The national median tree removal cost is approximately $1,740. Prices vary meaningfully between cities, driven by differences in labour costs, overhead, and local demand.
| City | State | Average Cost | vs. National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | NSW | $2,354 | +9.06% |
| Melbourne | VIC | $2,350 | –2.17% |
| Brisbane | QLD | $1,851 | +0.1% |
| Newcastle | NSW | $1,993 | +3.74% |
| Perth | WA | $1,763 | +1.16% |
| Adelaide | SA | $1,789 | –6.72% |
| Gold Coast | QLD | $1,648 | –1.23% |
| Canberra | ACT | $1,740 | 0% (national avg.) |
| Hobart | TAS | $1,643 | –6.32% |
In our experience, some of the biggest pricing variation isn’t between cities; it’s within them. In Sydney, a tree job in the Eastern Suburbs can be priced significantly higher than the same job in Western Sydney, due to access constraints and the density of older established trees in heritage areas. Choosing the right tree removal company can make a big difference here.
What Extra Costs Should You Budget For?
Stump Removal
Stump removal is not always included in a tree removal quote, so always confirm upfront. Leaving a stump can attract termites and allow regrowth. See our full stump removal cost guide for a detailed breakdown.
- Palm stumps: $70 – $550
- Regular or hardwood stumps: $250 – $1,200
Palm Tree Disposal
Palms are priced differently due to disposal requirements. Palm material cannot be mulched and must be disposed of as general waste. See our palm tree removal cost guide for species-specific pricing.
- 5m palm: $350 – $450 (inc. tipping); +$270 per additional
- 8m palm: $450 – $650 (inc. tipping); +$380 per additional
- Palm pruning: $150 – $175 per palm
Pro tip: Ask the arborist to cut the palm and stack the logs and fronds on the nature strip for council clean-up. This can effectively halve your palm removal cost.
Gum Tree Removal
Gum trees are among the most common yet complex residential removals because arborists can’t simply fell them. Each section has to be carefully lowered to avoid damage to surrounding structures, especially if they’re near houses.
The cost to remove a mature gum tree is typically around $1,500 – $7,000+, depending on height and access.
Tree Trimming and Pruning
If full removal isn’t necessary, pruning is considerably more affordable for tree management. Expect to pay between $500 and $1,200 to trim 15% of foliage from an 8m tree. The cost can be influenced by height and canopy spread, the number of branches to remove, obstacles like sheds and power lines, and pruning time.
It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that a single tree pruning job may fall on the higher side of this price range to offset time and travel costs. It is better value to add a tree pruning task to another job, such as a tree removal, or have a few trees pruned at once.
Visit our full tree pruning cost guide for a complete breakdown.
Fallen Tree Removal
If the tree has already come down on its own, the job is much simpler and therefore considerably cheaper. Our tree felling cost guide can provide more detail, but here are the basics.
- 10m tree: $1,600 – $3,000
- 15–20m tree: $2,000 – $5,000 (depending on access)
How Do You Get an Accurate Tree
Removal Quote?
Getting the right quote – not the cheapest quote – is the single most effective way to save money on a tree job.
A properly insured, certified arborist with the right equipment for your tree removal needs will complete the job faster and more safely. The total cost often works out comparable once everything is included.
Step 1: Describe the job. Have species, approximate height, access details, stump requirements, and any permit information ready before contacting arborists.
Step 2: Compare 3+ quotes. Homeowners who compare three or more quotes save an average of 28%. Always ask for proof of public liability insurance.
Step 3: Use the cost calculator. Use our tree removal cost calculator at gotreequotes.com.au for a quick ballpark before quotes arrive.
Step 4: Ask the right questions. Is stump removal included? Is green waste removal included? What insurance do you hold? Do I need a council permit, and can you assist? Use our tree removal cost estimator to get a quick ballpark before requesting quotes — it takes less than a minute.
FAQ's
Key indicators include large dead branches, visible cracks or cavities in the trunk, fungal growth at the base, a sudden or increasing lean, and roots lifting from the ground or damaging structures. When in doubt, book an arborist assessment before deciding.
Most reputable tree services won’t commit to a firm price over the phone. Every tree is different and can only be properly assessed on-site. A rough ballpark for budgeting is usually possible if you describe the tree and access clearly.
In rare cases, yes. Certain sought-after palm species can sometimes be collected by landscapers at no cost. But this applies to roughly 1% of situations. See our guide on free tree removal for more detail.
Yes. Arborists are already on-site with their crew and equipment, so adding a second or third tree rarely doubles the cost. Most services offer a discount for multiple removals in a single visit.
Late summer to early autumn (February–March) is typically the most affordable time in Australia. Winter is also good. Spring is generally the busiest and most expensive season.
In most cases, home insurance covers removal if a tree falls and causes damage to your property. If the tree falls but causes no structural damage, most policies won’t cover the removal cost. For live, healthy trees posing a future risk, insurance generally won’t contribute. That’s the homeowner’s responsibility.
It depends on your local council and the specific tree. Generally, trees over 5 metres require council approval. Dead or dangerous trees can sometimes be removed without a permit, but rules vary. Check council tree regulations in your area for what applies locally.
Late summer to early autumn (February–March) is typically the most affordable time in Australia. Winter is also good. Spring is generally the busiest and most expensive season.
You could leave them to decompose to naturally enrich the soil, but if the roots pose a risk to structures like pipes or footpaths – or attract pests like termites and create trip hazards – it’s best to remove them. We recommend that you get professional advice as every situation is different.
