Pricing guide · Perth · 2026
How much does tree removal cost in Perth?
Real 2026 prices from licensed Perth arborists — height by height, including the council permit maze, Significant Tree Protection rules, the 10/50 bushfire clearing rule, BAL ratings, and the local species (Tuart, Jarrah, Marri) that change what's allowed and what it costs. Perth has the tightest tree protection regime of any Australian capital, so the paperwork matters as much as the price.
Pricing by tree height
Tree removal pricing in Perth scales primarily with height, then with species, access, and proximity to buildings or power lines. The figures below are typical 2026 ranges across the metro — expect the lower end in newer subdivisions with good vehicle access, and the upper end in established inner suburbs where access is tight.
| Height | Perth range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 5m | $400–$850 | Half-day job, single climber |
| 5–10m | $750–$1,900 | Standard 2-person crew + chipper |
| 10–15m | $1,400–$3,800 | Climber + groundies, full day |
| 15–20m | $2,800–$7,000 | May need crane assist |
| Over 20m | $4,500–$14,000+ | Crane-mandatory, traffic management |
| Stump grinding (per stump) | $140–$380 | Quoted separately |
| Confined-access surcharge | +$200–$600 | No truck or chipper access |
| Power-line proximity (Western Power coord) | +$400–$900 | Includes shutdown coordination |
| Crane hire | +$1,500–$4,500 | For large trees over structures |
| Arborist report (Level 2) | $300–$600 | Often required for STP applications |
Significant Tree Protection (STP) rules
Perth metro councils almost universally apply a Significant Tree Protection overlay to trees that meet a certain size threshold — typically 6 metres in height OR 300mm trunk diameter at 1 metre off the ground (the standard arborist measurement). Some councils set the threshold lower for declared significant species. The City of Perth, City of Stirling, City of Joondalup, City of Vincent, City of Subiaco and the Town of Cambridge all run versions of the same rule.
What you can't do: remove an STP-listed tree without council approval. Penalties are typically $5,000–$50,000 plus a mandatory replacement planting order. Some councils also publish a public register of breaches, which can complicate property sale searches later.
What you can do: apply for removal where the tree is dead, structurally compromised, hazardous to a building, or causing demonstrable damage to infrastructure (sewers, foundations). Most successful applications are supported by an independent Level 2 arborist report. Approvals are easier when there's a clear safety basis, harder when the reason is “blocking my view”.
Council permits — how to apply
The two metro councils with the most streamlined process are the City of Stirling and the City of Joondalup, both of which run online tree removal application portals. Upload the arborist report (if required), photos, a site plan, and the application fee ($60–$200), and you typically hear back inside 4–6 weeks. Other Perth councils ask you to ring or email the planning department directly — turnaround can be faster (sometimes 2–3 weeks) but the process is less standardised.
Always check your address on iplan.wa.gov.aufirst. The state's online planning portal will tell you whether your property sits in a special control area, a bushfire-prone zone, a heritage area, or any of the other overlays that change what you can do without further approval.
The 10/50 vegetation clearing rule
The 10/50 rule allows clearing of vegetation within 10 metres of a habitable building, and selective clearing out to 50 metres, in designated bushfire-prone areas, without a separate planning permit. The rule exists to let property owners reduce fuel load around their home and protect against bushfire.
It only applies in declared zones — iplan.wa.gov.au will show you whether your property qualifies. Outside those zones, normal STP and council rules apply and the 10/50 exemption doesn't help. Inside a 10/50 zone, you still can't remove a declared rare flora species or vegetation listed as a Threatened Ecological Community, even if it's within 10 metres of the house.
BAL bushfire ratings
Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) is a six-tier rating — LOW, 12.5, 19, 29, 40, FZ — that classifies how exposed a property is to bushfire radiant heat and ember attack. Perth bushland-fringe suburbs (parts of the Hills including Mundaring, Roleystone, Kalamunda; the northern fringe at Yanchep and Two Rocks; the southern at Byford and Serpentine) commonly hold BAL-19 or BAL-29 ratings.
A high BAL rating can support an application to remove a tree that would otherwise be protected — the bushfire risk is the public-interest basis for the exemption. You'll need a bushfire assessment from an accredited Bushfire Practitioner ($600–$1,500) and an arborist report. Check your BAL rating on iplan.wa.gov.au before you assume it applies.
Common Perth species and what they cost
Tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala)— a declared significant species across most Perth metro councils. Removal is rarely approved unless dead or dangerous. A live healthy Tuart is essentially unremovable without a strong safety case and a full arborist plus bushfire assessment process.
Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata)— the iconic Perth Hills timber. Dense, heavy and hard on cutting gear, which puts removal labour at the top of the height-banded price range. Mature Jarrah stumps are some of the toughest grinding jobs in the country.
Marri (Corymbia calophylla)— the “red gum”. Similar density to Jarrah, sticky red gum that can mark cars and concrete. Mature Marri can hit 30m+ and crane-assist is mandatory.
Lemon-scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora)— not WA native but extremely common in Perth gardens since the 1970s. Fast-growing, brittle, prone to dropping limbs in summer storms. These come up frequently in removal quotes because of the limb-drop hazard.
Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla)— planted as feature trees decades ago and now a regular root-damage problem. The buttress root system can lift driveways, crack pool shells and infiltrate sewer lines. Removal is technically straightforward but stump grinding is brutal — budget the upper end of the stump range and check whether root removal needs to extend further.
Stump grinding
Stump grinding is normally quoted separately from the removal itself. Perth pricing is $140–$380 per stump, slightly cheaper than the eastern states. Cost depends on diameter, the depth you want it ground to (typically 200–300mm below grade for replanting), the species (Jarrah and Marri are slower than imported lemon-scented gum), and access for the grinder.
Stump removal (full excavation rather than grinding) is much pricier — $400–$1,200 per stump — and is normally only done where you're building over the spot or where root systems need to be fully cleared (sewer encroachment, foundation prep).
Red flags
- $199 quotes for a 15m gum. Not possible. Insurance, crane access, traffic management and chipper hire alone exceed that.
- No certificate of currency for public liability insurance ($10m minimum). Don't let an uninsured operator near a tree on your property.
- No mention of council permit when the tree is clearly STP-listed. You'll wear the fine, not them.
- Cash-only with no ABN invoice. Means no insurance trail and no bond receipt if it's a strata or rental property.
- Operator who can't name their AQF Level 3 arborist on the crew. That's the minimum competency for any climbing or rigging work.
FAQs
Q: How much does tree removal cost in Perth?
A: It depends almost entirely on height and access. A small backyard tree under 5m runs $400–$850, a mid-sized 10–15m gum is $1,400–$3,800, and anything over 20m starts at $4,500 and can hit $14,000+ for a difficult job over a house with crane work. Stump grinding is separate at $140–$380 per stump.
Q: Do I need a council permit to remove a tree in Perth?
A: Often, yes. Each Perth metro council has its own Tree Management or Local Planning Policy and most apply a Significant Tree Protection (STP) overlay to trees taller than 6m or with a trunk diameter over 300mm. The City of Stirling and the City of Joondalup run online application portals, while smaller councils ask you to ring them directly. Removing a protected tree without approval can mean fines into five figures plus mandatory replacement planting.
Q: What about the 10/50 vegetation clearing rule?
A: Western Australia’s 10/50 vegetation clearing rule lets you clear vegetation within 10 metres of a habitable building and out to 50 metres in some bushfire-risk zones, without a permit, in designated areas. It only applies in declared zones — check your address on iplan.wa.gov.au before you assume it covers you. Outside those zones the normal STP and council planning rules apply.
Q: What does BAL mean and why does it affect my tree?
A: BAL stands for Bushfire Attack Level — a rating between BAL-LOW and BAL-FZ (flame zone) that classifies how exposed a property is to bushfire. Some Perth bushland-fringe suburbs (parts of the Hills, Mundaring, Roleystone, Yanchep, Two Rocks) are BAL-rated and require active vegetation management. A high BAL rating can be the basis for an exemption to remove a tree that would otherwise be protected, but you’ll need a bushfire assessment from an accredited consultant first.
Q: Are Tuart and Jarrah trees harder to remove?
A: Tuart trees are protected almost everywhere in Perth — they’re a declared significant species and removal applications are routinely refused unless the tree is dead or dangerous. Jarrah is dense, heavy timber that is harder on chainsaws and crane gear, so removal labour is at the top of the price band. Marri (red gum) is similar to Jarrah on density. Lemon-scented gums are common in Perth gardens, fast-growing and prone to dropping limbs — these come up frequently in removal jobs.
Q: How much does stump grinding cost in Perth?
A: $140–$380 per stump in Perth — slightly cheaper than the eastern states. Price depends on diameter, depth ground, and access. A standard backyard stump under 400mm diameter ground to 200mm depth is around $160–$220. Larger Jarrah or Marri stumps with extensive root systems can hit $380. Stump grinding is almost always quoted separately from the removal itself.
Q: What about access surcharges?
A: Trees in confined backyards with no rear access, sloping blocks, or properties only reachable by narrow lanes attract surcharges. Expect $200–$600 extra for a tree that can’t be accessed by truck and chipper. Trees overhanging power lines need Western Power coordination and the surcharge is normally $400–$900. Crane hire (for large trees over houses) is $1,500–$4,500 on top of the base removal cost.
Q: Should I get an arborist report?
A: If your council requires one for the application, yes — $300–$600 is standard for a Level 2 consulting arborist report in Perth. They’ll assess whether the tree is structurally sound, dead, dying or hazardous. Most Perth councils accept removal applications more readily when supported by an independent arborist report, particularly for STP-listed or significant trees.
See also: Landscaper answering service · Tree removal cost Sydney
Are you the arborist?
Stop missing the storm-week rush calls.
When a winter front rips through Perth, every homeowner with a fence-flattening limb rings at once. If you're up the tree, you miss it. BackOnTools picks up every call, qualifies the job, books straight into your day and texts you the rest. Less than $200 a month.