Tree Climbing

Climbing Competitions

Climbing Competitions encourage excellence in technical tree climbing and allow professional climbers to explore new equipment and share knowledge. They are also a great way for the public to learn about our industry and the benefit of trees.

  • Climbing competitions tend to follow one of two formats - the International Society of Arboriculture Tree Climbing Championship (TCC) format, or a freestyle format. Most of the information on these pages relates to the TCC format.

  • Competing in TCCs starts with your local state or territory competition. Even before then, you may want to contact your local arb association and ask about other climbing workshops or training that might be available. Competitors in the Australian TCC are nominated by their local state or territory organisation and then invited to compete.

  • Every climbing competition needs volunteers and you don’t need to be a climber or an arborist to help, but you do need to register. Each TCC event on our Events Calendar will have a registration for volunteers. It’s a great way to meet people, pick up tips and tricks for work, and give back to your industry.

    To volunteer at a 2024 TCC, click on the following link.

    https://arbaus.member365.com/publicFr/form/index/44930fa13be61d0b77042f0fd9f09fd8f61bee17

  • ITCC Rules - these rules apply to all TCCs

    Gear Check Forms

    Mechanical Devices Approved List (Dec 2021)

    TCC Scoresheets - see Appendix 8 of ITCC Rules for event scoresheets.

    Protest Form - this applies to all TCCs

    Aerial Rescue Scenario 2024 - TBC

  • Feb - Tasmania

    Mar - Western Australia

    April - Nationals. Location will vary.

    July - Queensland

    November - Victoria

    2025 Australian Tree Climbing Championships Canberra 14 - 16 March

    If your state or territory isn’t listed, they may not have an active committee able to organise a TCC event. Volunteers are vital for climbing competitions. See FAQs for more detail.

Climbing News

  • ATCC 2025, Canberra 14 - 16 March

    Join us 14 - 16 March 2025, in Canberra at the Telopea Park for the Australian Tree Climbing Championships.

    With trade stalls, workshops, games and activities for the kids, it promises to be an amazing event. Make sure you book early as it’s school holidays.

    Thank you to all our ATCC Parners, and Major Partner, Husqvarna.

    Click here to volunteer

  • The International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC) Christchurch, NZ 14 - 19 October 2025

    The International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC) provides a competitive but educational opportunity for working arborists around the globe to demonstrate and exchange new climbing techniques and equipment, as well as safe work practices. The ITCC also increases the interaction between ISA chapters and Associate Organizations and members, and provides positive public exposure for the profession in that region of the world.

  • H-Team Camp, Sweden

    Professional Arborists and Australian and New Zealand Husqvarna Ambassadors Kiah Martin, Jamie Boston and Scott Forrest went to Husqvarna headquarters in Sweden last September to attend the annual Husqvarna H-Team Camp.

    Every year the global Husqvarna Ambassadors - or H-Team - gather to spend 3 days discussing past, present and future product plans.

    This team is made up of some of the best Arborists and Tree professionals from across the globe. From swapping stories and sharing their expertise, the H-team dial into the developing and changing Tree Care industry and provide their firsthand advice and feedback on all future Husqvarna product development.

    With a combined 60 years' experience in the Arboriculture space, Kiah, Jamie and Scott’s contribution has provided great insight to the Australian Tree industry with their unique perspective contributing a great deal of value to the Husqvarna global team.

2024 ATCC & Arb Open Day Major Partner

  • Aerial Rescue Partner

  • Training Tree Partner

  • Work Climb Partner

  • Ascent Event Partner

Learn More About our Sponsors

ATCC & Arb Open Day FAQs

  • To compete at the ATCC you must be nominated by your state or territory arb association and then invited by the ATCC committee. Each state or territory association that has run a local TCC, nominates their top place-getters.

  • You will need to compete in another state or territory’s TCC and they will provide your score to the ATCC Committee who will determine if you are eligible to be invited to the ATCC.

  • In 2024 the nominations and invitations for the ATCC will happen in January and February.

  • There are lots of ways to get involved.

    You could be an event partner, have a trade stall, host an activity, or volunteer?

    To volunteer - register via the Events Calendar. For all other enquiries email enquiries@trees.org.au

  • If you placed (first, second or third) in your local competiton you will be nominated. If you were injured or believe you have special circumstances to be nominated, contact your local state or territory arb association.

  • If you placed first in your local TCC you can book now, but all other place-getters should wait until they receive their invitation from the ATCC Committee.

    Arb Aus takes no responsibility for travel costs, so consider flexible bookings and check refund policies.

  • No. If you are nominated and then invited by the ATCC Committee to compete, you can decline the invitation. BUT, it is important to let the Committee know you won’t be competing so that your place can be offered to someone else.

    If you are a place-getter in the ATCC, you can also decline to compete in the ITCC.