For the purposes of this article, tree services employees include:

• arborists
• those engaged in tree clearing for electrical power lines or
• bush regenerators

Award coverage for such employees will depend on:

• The industry their employer operates in and where the work is done
• The specific duties and qualifications of the employee.

Arborists

Arborists maintain and care for trees, shrubs and hedges by:

• lopping limbs
• shaping branches
• treating them with fertilisers and insecticides
• removing dead or diseased trees, or
• advising on general tree and shrub care.

They're usually trade qualified.

Industry award coverage

Gardening and Landscaping Award

The Gardening and Landscaping Award covers arborists if:

• they work as an arborist, tree surgeon, tree lopper or pruner
• their employer is in the gardening and landscaping industry.

Arborists may be classified as a Level 4 or above.

Local Government Award

The Local Government Award covers arborists if:

• they're employed by a local government entity or corporation controlled by the government entity
• there's a classification that matches their duties and qualifications.

Trade qualified arborists may be classified as a Level 4 or above.

Miscellaneous Award

Arborists employed by a business that isn't covered by an industry award may be covered by the Miscellaneous Award.

They'll be classified based on their job duties and qualifications.

Tree clearing for electrical power lines

Work to maintain overhead power lines may include ensuring they are clear of trees and other vegetation.

The Electrical Award applies to employees undertaking this work for employers in the electrical services industry.

Such employees are classified based on their duties and qualifications. A trade qualified employee may be classified as an Electrical worker grade 5 or above. An unqualified employee assisting a tradesperson may be classified as an Electrical worker grade 2 or above.

Bush Regenerators

Bush regenerators restore and maintain the health of bushland by:

• Removing and controlling weeds
• Removing rubbish and dead plants
• Planting native trees and other vegetation
• Preventing soil erosion

Industry award coverage

Silviculture Award

The Silviculture Award covers bush regenerators if:

• Their employer does bush regeneration in forests
• There's a classification that matches their duties and qualifications.

Gardening and Landscaping Award

The Gardening and Landscaping Award covers bush regenerators if:

• Their employer is in the gardening and landscaping industry
• There's a classification that matches their duties and qualifications.

Local Government Award

The Local Government Award covers bush regenerators if:

• they're employed by a local government entity or corporation controlled by the government entity
• there's a classification that matches their duties and qualifications.