Most suburban tree removals cost $800-$2,500. Small trees come out for $250-$800, and extra-large or crane jobs run past $15,000. Height is the main driver - here are the bands, the add-ons, and the permit rules to check first.
| Tree size | Removal range | Typical situation |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 5 m) | $250-$800 | Young trees, small ornamentals - often a quick fell or small sectional job. |
| Medium (5-10 m) | $800-$2,500 | The typical suburban job - most removals quoted in Australia sit in this band. |
| Large (10-15 m) | $2,000-$6,000 | Established gums and shade trees; climbing, rigging and more crew time. |
| Extra large (15 m+) | $4,000-$15,000+ | May need cranes or bucket trucks and run over multiple days. |
Lopping prices sit below removal for the same tree: small trees $250-$1,000, medium $500-$1,500, large $1,200-$2,500, with whole-job extremes across published guides of $500-$7,000. Read the warning in the permit section below before choosing lopping to save money - arborists discourage it, and it can breach permit conditions.
| Item | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stump grinding - small / medium / large stump | $80-$150 / $150-$300 / $300-$500+ | Almost never included in the removal price - always quoted as a separate line. |
| Arborist labour | $100-$150/hr basic; $150-$200/hr large or hazardous; $200-$250/hr emergency | Published hourly bands (iseekplant). |
| Emergency surcharge | +20% of the job | After-hours and storm-damage work. |
| Council permit application fees | $50-$300 | Varies by council - see below. |
| Waste as separate items | Chipping $150-$500; wood removal $200-$600; clean-up $100-$300 | One guide's itemised breakdown (Nomads Notebook) - chipping is often included, full removal often is not. |
Price roughly doubles at each size band. Trunk diameter and canopy volume are the secondary size factors - two trees of the same height can quote quite differently.
Trees near structures, fences or power lines require sectional dismantling and rigging and sit at the top of each band. Open, clear-fall sites price at band bottoms. Our calculator models tight access at about +30%.
Very large or inaccessible trees needing cranes or bucket trucks jump bands entirely - extra-large removals can run multi-day.
Dead, diseased or unstable trees need more careful handling and price higher than healthy trees of the same size.
Stump grinding is almost never included - always check whether a quote includes it before comparing prices ($80-$500+ by stump size).
Chipping is often included; taking all the wood and green waste away can add $100-$600 if it is not.
$950-$2,800
Standard backyard access, medium stump ground as well: the $800-$2,500 band plus $150-$300 of stump grinding. Typical midpoint around $1,875.
$1,190-$3,550
Overhanging the house, so it comes down in rigged sections: the band lifted by the ~30% tight-access factor, stump included.
$250-$800
A sub-5 m tree in an open yard with no stump grinding - the cheapest removal scenario there is.
Band price + 20%
Emergency work carries a published +20% surcharge and $200-$250/hr labour rates - expect the quote to reflect both.
Council permits and protected trees: many councils protect significant and native trees through tree protection overlays and local laws - removing one without a permit can attract fines, and permit application fees run about $50-$300. Rules are council-specific, so check your council before cutting anything you are not sure about. Lopping (topping) is discouraged by arborists - it stresses the tree and can breach permit conditions. Use a reputable operator: they should carry public liability insurance and be able to show you a certificate of currency - ask for it. Work near power lines may require specially authorised operators.
Prices cross-checked against the Yellow Pages tree removal cost guide, Nomads Notebook, ServiceTasker, hipages and iseekplant rate guides, October 2026. Figures are guides, not quotes.
Most suburban tree removals cost $800-$2,500. Small trees come out for $250-$800, and extra-large or crane jobs run past $15,000. Height is the main driver - here are the bands, the add-ons, and the permit rules to check first.
The biggest drivers are height - the primary driver, access and proximity, cranes and ewp access and condition of the tree. Each one is worked through with prices in the guide above, and the calculator prices them for your job.
Use the free calculator linked from this guide - it prices your job with the same installed ranges used here, in about 30 seconds. It is a guide range, not a quote: your contractor confirms a fixed price after seeing the job.
No - they are researched guide ranges, cross-checked across at least two published sources, not quotes. Prices move with your area, the condition of the site and the scope you choose. Get itemised quotes in writing, and check the tradesperson's licence with your state building authority before you book.
Height band, access and stump grinding - the calculator prices your tree the way an arborist builds a quote.