New Arborist of the Year

• This is an all-day event, running alongside the Australian Tree Climbing Championships (ATCC) Masters event. The New Arborist of the Year (NAotY) events will run in the morning and early afternoon and the day will include some free time to watch some of the Masters event, socialise and enjoy the atmosphere.

• Designated NAotY crew will be there to meet you, explain the events, show you around and introduce you to others. You will be with a group for the events and are competing against others with similar experience.

• The winner will be announced that evening at the QT Hotel in conjunction with the Welcome Reception & ATCC Presentations. We recommend you stay Sunday night and utilise your free conference ticket the next day.

• Based on the successful New Zealand model, this competition promotes networking and skills development. Many of the competitors make valuable new connections and receive job offers on the day.

• All applicants will be emailed by Arb Australia by 21 February 2025. We will let you know if you were successful and will provide more details of when and where to meet and how to prepare. You will have contact details for the crew if you have any questions. Make sure you check your email (and junk folder). If you haven't received an email by Friday 21 February 2025, please contact us.

• Photographs and recordings of competitors and events will occur. These are used to promote New Arborist of the Year, Arb Aus and our industry.

You’ll see plenty of the ATCC Masters event. The Master event will run for several hours and we’ve made sure the NAotY schedule includes time to take a seat in the Husqvarna chill out zone and see our best climbers compete.

If you are in your first 3 years in the arboricultural industry, you are eligible to compete in the New Arborist of the Year competition.

You should participate because there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Participants get some great inclusions, like an amazing bag of gear from CSPD valued at over $500, an exclusive tshirt, and a free conference ticket, but we think the real value is in being welcomed into the arb community and picking up tips and knowledge from some of the best arborists in Australia.

Wear your work clothes and bring your helmet with chinstrap and glasses/eye protection.

Bring some water, snacks, sunscreen and wet weather gear.

All other gear is provided.

Lunch is provided, and there are drinks and finger food at the Awards event which is included with your registration too.

No, any travel or accommodation costs are the responsibility of the individual and not Arb Aus.

Please be aware that it is an all-day event and you may need accommodation.

It may be of note that the New Arborist of the Year competition will occur in Perth 2027.

• All competitors receive lunch, a t-shirt, 1yr Arb Aus general membership, a bag of arb gear worth over $500, and a free ticket to the conference which includes the catered Awards on Sunday evening (but excludes Gala Dinner on Monday night)

• The Winner of New Arborist of the Year will recieve a trophy and go on the Honour Roll on our website. We have intentionally down-played any major prize for the winner because this comp is about enjoying yourself and meeting the arb community.

The 5 New Arborist of the Year events are:

1. Tree ID

2. Knot Tying

3. Throwline

4. Work Site Safety Assessment

5. Quick-fire quiz

All questions and skills are based on the Minimum Industry Standards (3 Series) books, which are core references in the Certificate III Arboriculture.

This award is about celebrating your passion for the industry and your eagerness to learn. We want you to have fun and be inspired.

ALL EVENTS

Know your Series 3 Minimum Industry Standards books, particularly (but not limited to):

• MIS300 Safe Tree Work

• MIS301 Arborist Knots

THROWLINE

The Throwline event will have the same format as the ATCC & ITCC. Read the rules and see the scoresheet to help you prepare (page 31-38).

Scoring: as per ITCC rules

KNOT TYING

Know your knots from MIS301 Arborist Knots, not just how to tie them, but also when to use them.

You will be tested on the following 5 knots:

1. Bowline for life support

2. Alpine butterfly

3. Clove hitch in a tie-off situation

4. Cow hitch with a better half

5. Marlinspike hitch

Here is a guide.

You have up to 5 attempts to tie each knot. Each attempt costs you a point.

You will be asked a question about each knot.

Scoring

Maximum of 25 points + 5 bonus points

5 points per knot

1 bonus point per knot

TREE ID

The Tree ID event is open book. Know how to use keys, and other resources, and be familiar with the names of plant parts commonly used to identify trees.

You will use your mobile device to submit your answers electronically.

You will be asked to identify 10 trees: 5 exotics, 3 natives, and 2 endemics (indicative only).

You will provide the scientific binomial name and common name.

You will complete this event at any time when you are not competing at another NAotY event.

You have until 4pm to submit your answers.

Scoring

Maximum 70 points (7 points per specimen)

Scientific binomial name - 5pts

Genus only - 2pts

Specie epithet only - 3pts

Common name - 2pts

WORK SITE SAFETY ASSESSMENT

This is the form we’ll be using for the 2026 Work Site Safety Assessment.

You will be providing a verbal Work Site Safety Assessment. This document contains a recording based on our 2025 comp. To hear the recording you’ll need to download the reference doc and click on the recording icon in the document.

You will have 5 mins to complete the assessment and will do this one at a time separate from the group.

Scoring

Maximum 20 points

First section 5 pts

Second section 5 pts

Third section 10 pts, broken down into 5 key things to include in the site assessment and 5 key things to include in the tree assessment.

QUICK FIRE QUIZ

Know your MIS!

You will use your mobile device and be given a unique password to log into a website to submit your answers.

You will all take the quiz at the same time.

Topics will include tree physiology, soil science, biosecurity, and anything else in your Series 3 MIS.

Scoring

Maximum 25 points

20 Multiple Choice Questions - 1pt

10 True or False Questions - 0.5pts

As the New Arborist of the Year partner, your business brand can be associated with this national award program.

Your business will be supporting the brightest young arborists coming through the ranks.

For $3000 excl. gst, you receive branding on the NAotY webpage, t-shirt, and all marketing, signage at the event, and will feature in an article in the Arbor Age with a circulate of over 5000.

See the NAotY Partner Package for more detail and email Arb Aus.