AQF5 Consulting Arborist reports
A Level 5 Consulting Arborist is a qualified tree practitioner under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). An L5 Arborist can be engaged to assess a tree’s health, vigour and structure and provide recommendations on the appropriate course of action. The findings and any recommendations can be documented in a report. This report can be used by the Client to assist their submission to their Local Government Authority (Council) for any approvals or permits required to complete any work to the tree/s.
There are four main types of assessments that an L5 Arborist can make, such as:
- Tree Health and Condition reports.
- an aerial assessment
- tree root impact assessment via root mapping
- hazard and risk assessment (using industry accepted method such as QTRA, TRAQ or VALID).
There are a number of reports an AQF Level 5 Consulting Arborist can develop depending on the Client needs or requirements such as:
- Tree Health and Condition reports.
- Pruning Specification – provide specific instructions for tree pruning and/or removal.
- Aerial inspection – advanced, non-invasive visual assessment of the tree from within a tree’s canopy to understand the troubling issue.
- Tree Risk Assessment using industry established tree risk assessment method such as QTRA or VALID. The tree risk assessment report is very crucial when you want to remove the tree.
- Arboriculture Impact Assessment (AIA) report – to assess the impact of any trees within proximity to a proposed development. This report is required by most Councils to be submitted as part of a Development Application (DA) (as per AS4790-2009 Protection of Trees on Development Sites).
- Tree Protection Plan (TPP) – a plan that specifies tree protection measures to prevent and/or minimise any potential impact to specified trees throughout a development period.
- Tree Protection Measures Certification – a review of any installed tree protection measures to ensure they have been installed correctly and are compliant with the Tree Protection Plan and/or Australian Standard AS4970-2009 Protection of Trees on Development Sites.
- Exploratory Root Mapping – to identify the size, location, and type of tree roots present about a proposed development or to determine if they are contributing to visible structural damage of property
- Pest and Disease Investigations – to locate and identify any pests or diseases that are affecting the health and condition of a tree and to provide recommendations on any remedial work required. The tree examiner will investigate the tree and submit the report.
An AQF5 Consulting Arborist report will take into consideration any specific requirements of the Local Government Authority (LGA) that governs the area that the tree/s are located within. They will also consider any Tree Management Controls that have been outlined in that LGA’s Development Control Plan (DCP) and their Local Environmental Plan (LEP). In short, an AQF level 5 certified arborist functions similar to a certified doctor with a qualified degree.
So, reach out today, we are only a call away, and see what we can do for you.
In short, an AQF level 5 certified arborist functions similar to a certified doctor with a qualified degree.

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What is an Aborist’s Report?
As a generalisation, an arborist’s report is something that is requested as part of the process of obtaining a D.A. or applying for permission to lop or remove a tree.
An arborist’s report can be submitted to local Council to gain authorisation to remove trees especially in the case of danger to the public. If a tree appears rotten, dead, dying, or infested, an arborist’s report can help clear the way for the tree to legally be removed. Councils often require an arborist’s report to justify tree removal.
If people just cut down their trees without approval our environment would quickly turn into a concrete desert! And this is something that nobody wants. It is a council’s responsibility to ensure a harmonious and liveable natural environment is maintained.
As a result, large fines exist for cutting down or significantly cutting back trees without the required permissions.
For the record, an arborist is a tree surgeon; someone whose job it is to take care of trees, to make sure that trees are healthy, and are safe. The word ‘arborist’ comes from the Latin for tree arbor and probably came to English through the French word arboriste.
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