Tree removal laws in Western Australia

Western Australia has no blanket urban tree-removal law — rules depend on your council's local planning scheme and local laws, and some councils keep significant tree registers. Native vegetation clearing is regulated by the State. Check your council's planning scheme and any significant tree register.

WA has no statewide urban tree-removal law. Rules depend on your council's local planning scheme and local laws, and any significant tree register — check your council's planning scheme. Native vegetation clearing is separately regulated by the State.

Usually yes — a genuinely dead, dying or imminently dangerous tree can often be removed without prior council approval in Western Australia. 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: Council significant tree registers / planning scheme provisions. State native vegetation clearing permits. Federal EPBC Act. 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 Western Australia is governed by Local Planning Schemes and local laws; Environmental Protection Act 1986 (native vegetation clearing). Your local council administers the day-to-day rules — always confirm the current requirements before removing a tree.