Tree removal laws in Australian Capital Territory

The ACT has no councils — tree protection is run territory-wide. Since 1 January 2024 the Urban Forest Act 2023 replaced the older Tree Protection Act 2005 and lowered the thresholds. On private (leased) land, a tree is protected if it is 8 metres or more tall (or 8 metres or more in canopy width) AND has a trunk circumference of 1 metre or more (about 32cm diameter). You need ACT Government approval (a tree activity application) to remove or significantly prune a protected tree.

In the ACT, a tree is protected if it is 8m+ tall (or 8m+ canopy) AND has a trunk circumference of 1m+ (about 32cm diameter) — removing or major-pruning it needs ACT Government approval.

Usually yes — a genuinely dead, dying or imminently dangerous tree can often be removed without prior council approval in Australian Capital Territory. But this is council-dependent and the exemption falls away for heritage or registered trees, so most councils expect evidence: get a qualified arborist's report and keep dated photos before the tree comes down. If the danger is immediate, make the area safe and call an arborist — and your electricity distributor first if powerlines are involved.

Even where an exemption would normally apply, approval can still be required because of: Registered trees on the ACT Tree Register are protected regardless of size. Approval is also needed for work that could damage a protected tree on neighbouring land. Federal EPBC Act for nationally listed species/communities. When any of these apply, assume the tree is protected and check before removing it.

Tree removal in Australia typically ranges from about $150–$500 for a small tree to $1,000–$3,000+ for a large gum, and $3,000–$15,000 for very large or difficult jobs near buildings or powerlines. The price depends on size, access, and whether stump grinding and green-waste removal are included — the only way to know yours is a free on-site quote from a local arborist.

Tree removal in Australian Capital Territory is governed by Urban Forest Act 2023 (ACT) — administered territory-wide (no councils). The ACT Government administers the day-to-day rules — always confirm the current requirements before removing a tree.