Q: When will the WA Tree Recovery Program residential rebates go live and how long will it be open?
A: The rebate program launched on 28 July 2025 and will remain open until late 2028.
Q: Who is eligible for a WA Tree Recovery rebate?
A: To be entitled to a rebate of up to $150 you must be
• a resident of Western Australia;
• 18 years of age or older;
• have had a tree removed under the authorisation of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development due to PSHB; and
• have purchased and planted an eligible replacement tree on your private property.
Q: How do I claim the rebate?
A: The ServiceWA app is the fastest, most secure and most convenient way to claim. If you are unable to claim through the ServiceWA app, you can download a manual claim form found on the WA Tree Recovery website, print it out and post it. Please note that manual claim forms submitted via other channels, like email, are not accepted.
Completed forms along with copies of your identity documents to meet 100 points of ID as outlined in the paper claim form. can be posted to:
WA Tree Recovery
Waivpay Limited
PO Box R1691
Royal Exchange NSW 1225
Q: Who is WAIVPAY?
A: Waivpay Limited is a secure third-party payment provider used by the WA Government to process payments and reimbursements for certain programs, including the WA Tree Recovery Program.
Q: Why am I posting my paper claim to an address in New South Wales?
A: Although the WA Tree Recovery program is run by the WA Government, claim and payment processing are managed by WAIVPAY, a trusted third-party provider that operates nationally. WAIVPAY's processing centre is located in New South Wales, which is why the postal address for submitting paper forms is based there.
Q: I suspect that trees on my property might be hosting Polyphagous shot-hole borer. How do I identify PSHB and what should I do to report it?
A: Information on the Polyphagous shot-hole borer and how to identify it can be found on the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s website Polyphagous shot-hole borer | Agriculture and Food
Report your observations to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development via the MyPestGuide Reporter app or online MyPestGuide | Agriculture and Food.
Alternatively, you can contact the Pest and Disease Information Service on 08 9368 3080 or padis@dpird.wa.gov.au
Q: Will the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation provide me with a replacement tree, or do I buy one?
A: Western Australian residents who have had trees removed due to PSHB and want to take part in the WA Tree Recovery program are required to:
- Purchase an eligible replacement tree from a commercial Western Australian nursery or garden centre, with all eligible purchases made in one transaction.
- Plant the tree on your property.
- Claim the rebate through the ServiceWA app or paper claim form
Q: My PSHB impacted tree was removed, and I purchased a replacement tree before the launch of the WA Tree Recovery Program. Am I eligible for the rebate?
A: Yes, you are eligible for the full rebate if you meet the eligibility criteria and can provide the required documentation (unique Tree ID, tax invoice and photo of plant label) in your claim.
Q: My PSHB impacted tree was removed, and I purchased a replacement tree before the launch of the WA Tree Recovery Program but I no longer have the tax invoice. Am I eligible for the rebate?
A: Claimants who have replaced trees that were removed under the authorisation of DPIRD due to PSHB on or after 18 November 2021 and prior to the launch of the WA Tree Recovery Rebate Program on 28 July 2025, and who no longer have their tax invoice may be eligible for a $75 ‘capped’ rebate. Unique Tree IDs and instructions for claiming without a tax invoice or plant label were mailed to these residents prior to program launch on 28 July 2025.
Q: What is meant by eligible replacement trees?
A: An eligible tree is defined as having a canopy over three metres in height at maturity and one that is not identified as a weed or declared pest under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007. Shrubs and ground covers are also not eligible for a rebate. The following trees are extremely susceptible to PSHB and are also not eligible: box elder maple (Acer negundo), coral tree (Erythrina x sykesii), robinia, black locust, mop top (Robinia pseudoacacia).
Q: Do I have to choose a native tree?
A: No. Your replacement tree does not need to be native to Australia to be eligible for the WA Tree Recovery Program but the planting of Western Australian native species is encouraged.
Q: What documents and information do I need to make a claim?
A: To claim a rebate you will need:
• DPIRD unique Tree ID. This ID is unique to each tree removed. If you have had multiple trees removed on your property you will have a different unique Tree ID for each tree. If trees were removed from your property between 18 November 2021 and 7 July 2025, unique Tree IDs have been mailed to your address prior to program launch. If you lost this letter, or did not receive it you should contact DPIRD via pshb@dpird.wa.gov.au to obtain your unique unique Tree ID.
• A tax invoice as proof of tree purchase that shows the:
o Business name
o Australian Business Number (ABN)
o Tax invoice number
o Total value (including GST)
o Purchase date
o Itemised tree and establishment items
The tree and establishment items must be purchased in one transaction and be on one tax invoice. The tax invoice must not be handwritten or have handwritten additions such as a date or ABN.
• Photo of the plant label that shows the replacement tree name (species and/or common name).
Q: Why do I need to have a DPIRD Tree ID to make a claim?
A: The DPIRD Tree ID is required to verify that a PSHB impacted tree has been removed from your property under the authorisation of DPIRD.
Q: Why do I need a photo of the plant label? What do I do if there is no plant label on or in the tree’s pot?
A: A photo of the plant label showing the common or scientific name of the tree is required to verify you have purchased an eligible tree. If there is no plant label on the pot, there might be one on the shelf where the plants are displayed. Ask the nursery or garden centre staff for help if you are unsure.
Q: I purchased after the launch of the WA Tree Recovery Program on 28 July 2025 and have lost my tax invoice. Can I still claim?
A: No. You will not be eligible for a rebate if you purchased a replacement tree after the launch of the program on 28 July 2025 and do not have a valid tax invoice.
Q: What is the maximum rebate I can claim?
A: Eligible Western Australians can claim up to $150 per tree removed, which includes the purchase of a replacement tree and any eligible tree establishment items (e.g. soil, soil improver, mulch, additional trees). For example, if you spend $180 on a replacement tree, you will receive $150. If you spend $10 on a tree and buy soil improver at $40, spending a total of $50, you will receive $50.
Q: Can I claim any items to help with establishing my replacement trees?
A: Yes. To help your replacement tree become well established and grow, you can claim:
• soil
• soil improver
• fertiliser
• mulch
• soil wetting agent
• tree supports (stakes and guards)
• additional eligible trees.
The tree and establishment items must be purchased in one transaction and be on one tax invoice.
Q: Why must my replacement tree purchase be after 18 November 2021?
A: This is the date that Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development removed the first tree impacted by PSHB.
Q: How do I set up the ServiceWA app to claim the WA Tree Recovery Program rebate?
A: Download or update the latest version of the ServiceWA app. Ensure that your Digital ID (myID) is set to at least Standard strength. Sign in to the ServiceWA app using your Digital ID.
If you need assistance setting up the ServiceWA app, step-by-step videos and support materials are available to guide you through the process. You can also contact ServiceWA Customer Care on 13 33 92 (available 24/7) or support@digital.wa.gov.au (open 8.30am-4.30pm weekdays).
Q: How can I get help to claim the WA Tree Recovery Program rebate?
A: Please contact ServiceWA Customer Care on 13 33 92 (open 24/7) or email support@digital.wa.gov.au (open 8.30am-4.30pm weekdays).
Q: How will I know the outcome of my claim?
A: Once you submit a claim through the ServiceWA app, you’ll receive a notification in your ServiceWA Inbox confirming your submission, along with your claim reference number.
All future updates about your WA Tree Recovery Program claim will also be sent to your ServiceWA Inbox.
To ensure you don’t miss any important updates, please make sure you enable app email and push notifications in ServiceWA.
If you submitted a paper form claim, you will receive updates on your claim via email from support@digital.wa.gov.au.
Q: How long will it take to receive my payment?
A: Successful claims will see payments delivered to your nominated bank account within approximately seven working days.
Claimants will receive a ServiceWA Inbox message notifying when their claim has been approved.
Processing times for paper form claims may take up to 30 days. Paper form claims will receive an email from support@digital.wa.gov.au to their nominated email address.
It is possible that your payment may be delivered to your bank account before you receive a notification. Please check your bank account regularly.
Q: I have had multiple trees removed from my property. Can I make a claim to replace all of them?
A: Yes. You can claim a replacement tree for every tree removed, using the Tree IDs supplied by DPIRD. Each tree will have its own unique Tree ID. Please submit a separate claim for each Tree ID.
Q: I have had one tree removed but I would like to replace it with two or more trees. Can I claim the extra trees in the rebate?
A: Yes. Nominate the replacement tree in the claim form and check the ‘Additional eligible tree/s’ box under establishment items. You can claim up to $150 for your replacement tree and any establishment items.
Q: I purchased a replacement tree before the program launched on 28 July 2025 and it is not an eligible tree. Can I claim the rebate?
A: No.
Q: I have had a tree pruned on my property to remove branches affected by PSHB. I would like to establish a new tree in case the pruned tree requires removal in the future. Can I apply for the rebate now or do I need to wait for the affected tree to be removed first?
A: You are not able to claim a rebate unless your tree has been removed under DPIRD authority. If the tree is removed in the future DPIRD will provide you with a unique Tree ID linked to the removal, which you can use to claim a rebate.
Q: There was a tree removed on my verge due to PSHB and I would like a replacement. Can I purchase a replacement tree and claim the rebate?
A: No. Verges are under management of your local government authority. Please contact your local government regarding the potential for a replacement tree.
The WA Tree Recovery Program is also delivering a local government grant program to provide funding that assists with the replacement of trees lost to PSHB on local government managed lands.
Q: I am a tenant and there was a tree removed due to PSHB on the property where I live. I would like to replace the tree. Can I buy a replacement tree and apply for a rebate?
A: Check with your property owner or property manager before purchasing a replacement tree.
Q: Do I have to buy a tree from a specific nursery?
A: You can buy a tree and establishment items from any Western Australian commercial nursery or retailer. Make sure that you buy the tree and establishment items in one purchase so that they are on the one itemised tax invoice. Please also ensure that you have a photo of the plant label to claim your rebate.
Private purchases made through Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or classifieds are not eligible for a rebate.
Q: What replacement trees should I plant to avoid potential future PSHB impact?
A: DPIRD have published a list of known PSHB host species in Western Australia (Polyphagous shot-hole borer | Agriculture and Food). You may wish to consult this list before making your replacement tree selection.
Q: Do I need to replace the PSHB tree with a tree or can I buy a smaller shrub?
A: The purpose of the program is to replace tree canopy that was lost due to PSHB. A tree is defined as having a canopy over three meters in height at maturity. Shrubs and ground covers are not eligible for a rebate. Please ask your nursery or garden centre for help with selecting a tree if you are unsure.
Q: I have received a message notifying me of an update to my claim status. What do I need to do?
A: The below are the different ServiceWA user claim notification messages, and associated actions: Pending - Your claim has been received and is currently under review. You will be notified once a decision has been made. Please note that until your claim has been processed, you will not be able to put in another claim for the rebate you have applied for. Approved - Your claim has been approved. A payment will be processed to your nominated bank account as per the details provided. Please allow at least seven business days for the payment to be deposited into your bank account. Declined - Your claim was not approved. Please refer to the notification for information on why your claim was declined or contact us if you have any questions. If eligible, you may revise your application and resubmit it for consideration. Fulfilled – Payment has been successfully made into the nominated bank account. Please check your bank account for the transaction at least a week prior to the date stated in the approval message and that your bank account details match the information provided in the notification.
Q: I just had a tree removed under Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) authority and have attempted to submit a claim for the WA Tree Recovery Program. However, I received an error message. What should I do?
A: If you've just received your Tree ID and see an error when trying to submit your claim, please wait at least 14 days before trying again. It can take some time for Tree IDs to be recognised in the system. If the issue continues after a week, please reach out to us by emailing support@digital.wa.gov.au.
Q: I received an error message saying the file I'm trying to upload is too large. What should I do?
A: If you receive an error message stating that the file you're trying to upload is too large, it means the file exceeds the maximum size limit of 10MB. Please ensure the file is no larger than 10MB and is an acceptable file type (JPEG, PNG, TIFF, GIF, and HEIC).
Residential Rebate Program - FAQs
Find answers to common questions about the Residential Rebate program on our FAQ page.
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