Council have asked for a report from an AQF Level 5 Arborist – what does that mean?

If you’re still at the Development Application or pre-DA stage, your council is most likely asking for an Arboricultural Impact Assessment report or a preliminary arborist report to see what effect your development will have on surrounding trees. If the requirement is a condition of consent in your approved DA, then you probably need a Project Arborist to inspect and certify during the work on site, or Council may want a detailed Tree Management Plan to show how the trees can be protected during the work.

AQF stands for Australian Qualifications Framework and is the method of categorising the level of qualification an individual has attained. AQF5 Arborists are consultant level professionals. AQF4 is the qualification needed to supervise tree works such as pruning and removal, and these arborists may advise on maintaining or pruning trees. AQF3 is the qualification needed for practical tree work, and may include climbing arborists. AQF5 is recognised by Councils and the industry as the appropriate qualification for a person preparing Arboricultural reports and providing advice.