Frequently Asked Questions

IACA members are AQF Level 5 or equivalent qualified and experienced in providing arboricultural advice. The majority of Councils that request Arboricultural Reports require this level of expertise. IACA members renew their membership annually and at this time their insurances, ongoing professional development and commitment to the Arboricultural standards of the organisation are checked and reaffirmed.

IACA Accredited Members do not remove trees or have any affiliation with tree cutting/pruning businesses and hence do not have any potential conflict of interest when assessing and reporting on trees.

Yes.  IACA members charge for verbal and written advice as this is how they earn their income.

Although there is no standard professional fee, one should expect to pay a similar fee to that charged by other professionals such as Engineers or Landscape Architects.

There are many different types of reports possible depending upon the situation.  Please refer to the Report Types section on the IACA website.  An Arboricultural Impact Assessment to accompany a Development Application (DA) may for example involve considerable time evaluating all the likely tree impact, hence a higher cost than a simple single tree assessment.  Always have an agreed fee in writing before commissioning an IACA member.

In most cases the IACA member will need to review the Detail Survey, the Architectural drawings, the Landscape Plan and the hydraulic and stormwater services drawings.  This will enable the IACA Member to undertake an accurate assessment of the total impact on trees.

The IACA Member may not be able to certify the vigour and condition of the trees unless he or she has been engaged as the Project Arborist (AS4970) to monitor those trees throughout the construction period. However, if detailed tree protection records and photos are available for review it may be possible. Development consent conditions and the recommendations contained in any related Arboricultural Report should be read, considered and implemented.

No. IACA members do not cut trees.  Positive scientific identification of the roots in the pipe may be required.  This service can be co-ordinated by the IACA member. Some Councils will not approve tree removal if the pipes are earthenware. Cutting  down the tree may not solve the problem if there are other trees in the locality and the pipe is not to be repaired or replaced.  The tree removal will need to be approved by the tree owner and Council.

No. IACA members don’t cut trees. Most Councils protect exotic species as well as natives.  You need to check with your Council’s Tree Preservation Order, Development Control Plan, or other regulations for trees requiring approval for removal. Once approval has been obtained you will need to get a quote from a contracting arborist.

IACA Consulting Arboriculturists are qualified with a minimum AQF Level 5 in Arboriculture which is a Diploma of Horticulture (Arboriculture) or a Diploma of Arboriculture.  ‘The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national policy for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training. It incorporates the qualifications from each education and training sector into a single comprehensive national qualifications framework. The AQF was first introduced in 1995 to underpin the national system of qualifications in Australia encompassing higher education, vocational education and training and schools.’ (The Australian Qualification Framework http://aqf.edu.au/AbouttheAQF/TheAQF/tabid/108/Default.aspx)