The WA Tree Recovery Program and Treebate are two separate WA Government rebates running at the same time. Most Perth residents only know about one of them. Here is everything you need to know about both — and whether you can claim $150 twice.
If you have been following the Treebate program, you already know the WA Government is offering up to $150 back on a qualifying native tree. What fewer people realise is that a second, separate rebate program launched on the exact same day — and if your property has been affected by Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer (PSHB), you could be eligible for both.
Here is a plain-English breakdown of each program, how they differ, and the one critical question everybody wants answered.
What is Treebate?
Treebate is a $6.9 million WA Government initiative run by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER). It gives any WA resident aged 18 or older up to $150 back on the purchase of a qualifying native tree — once per person for the entire four-year program.
The tree must be an Australian native species with a canopy of at least 3 metres at maturity, purchased from a WA commercial nursery with a valid ABN tax invoice. Claims are made through the ServiceWA app and paid within approximately seven business days.
Up to 10,000 rebates are available each year on a first-come, first-served basis. If the annual allocation is exhausted before you submit your claim, you can still claim next year — keep your tax invoice and plant label safe. The program runs until 2029.
For the full step-by-step claiming guide, see our Complete Guide to Claiming Your $150 Treebate.
What is the WA Tree Recovery Program?
The WA Tree Recovery Program is a separate $7.2 million initiative, also run by DWER, specifically for Western Australians who have lost trees due to Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer.
PSHB is an invasive beetle that bores into the trunks, stems and branches of trees and plants. It has been impacting trees in Perth backyards for several years, and in many cases DPIRD has required affected trees to be removed under official authorisation to slow the spread of the infestation.
If your tree was removed under that DPIRD authorisation, the WA Tree Recovery Program offers you up to $150 per tree removed to replace it — and unlike Treebate, you can claim once per tree removed, not just once per person.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Treebate | WA Tree Recovery Program | |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | DWER | DWER |
| Total funding | $6.9 million | $7.2 million |
| Who is eligible | All WA residents 18+ | WA residents 18+ who had a tree removed under DPIRD authority due to PSHB |
| How many claims | Once per person for entire program | Once per tree removed |
| Rebate amount | Up to $150 — actual cost up to max | Up to $150 per tree removed — includes replacement tree AND establishment items |
| What’s covered | Tree only | Replacement tree plus soil, soil improver, mulch and other establishment items in one transaction |
| Tree type required | Any Australian native 3m+ at maturity | Any eligible replacement tree — extremely PSHB-susceptible species not eligible |
| Purchase date | On or after 28 July 2025 | Tree removal on or after 18 November 2021; replacement purchase from 28 July 2025 |
| How to claim | ServiceWA app or paper form | ServiceWA app or paper form — unique DPIRD Tree ID required |
| Payment processor | WAIVPAY Ltd | WAIVPAY Ltd |
| Payment timing | ~7 business days via app | ~7 business days via app |
| Program closes | Late 2029 | Late 2028 |
The Key Difference Most People Miss
The WA Tree Recovery Program has one significant advantage over Treebate that is easy to overlook — it covers more than just the tree.
Under Treebate, the $150 rebate applies to the tree purchase only. No soil, no mulch, no establishment items.
Under the WA Tree Recovery Program, your $150 claim can include the replacement tree AND establishment costs such as soil, soil improver, and mulch — all purchased in a single transaction. So if you spend $80 on a tree and $40 on quality native soil improver, you claim all $120 back.
This is a genuinely meaningful difference for anyone replanting after a PSHB removal.
Can You Claim Both Programs?
This is the question everyone asks. The honest answer is: yes, in some circumstances — but only if you meet both sets of eligibility criteria independently.
Here is the scenario where both claims are valid:
You had a tree removed from your property under DPIRD authority due to PSHB. You claim the WA Tree Recovery Program rebate for your replacement tree and establishment items — up to $150.
You then purchase a separate, additional native tree for your garden — perhaps in a different part of your yard — and claim Treebate for that purchase — up to a further $150.
These are two separate claims, for two separate trees, under two separate programs. There is no rule preventing you from participating in both, provided each claim meets its own independent eligibility requirements.
What you cannot do is use the same tree purchase or the same tax invoice to claim both rebates simultaneously. Each claim must relate to a distinct tree purchase with its own documentation.
For households with multiple adults: Multiple people in the same household can use the same tax invoice — as long as each person claims for a different tree line item on that invoice. Each person still submits their own separate claim. If your household has multiple eligible adults, each person aged 18 or over may be eligible to claim each program separately, subject to the per-person and per-tree rules of each.
The DPIRD Tree ID — What You Need to Know
The WA Tree Recovery Program has one requirement Treebate does not — a unique Tree ID issued by DPIRD.
If DPIRD authorises the removal of a tree from your property, they provide you with a unique Tree ID at the time of removal. This ID is required to submit a WA Tree Recovery Program claim through ServiceWA. Without it, you cannot claim.
If a tree is removed from your property in the future due to PSHB under DPIRD authorisation, DPIRD will provide the Tree ID at that time. Keep it in a safe place — you will need it when you purchase your replacement.
Trees removed from verges are not eligible for the WA Tree Recovery Program. Verges are under the management of your local government authority. Contact your council directly about replacement options for verge trees.
Which Trees Are Eligible for the WA Tree Recovery Program?
The WA Tree Recovery Program has slightly different tree eligibility rules compared to Treebate.
The replacement tree must be purchased from a WA commercial nursery or retailer. It must not be a declared weed or pest under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007.
Critically, trees that are extremely susceptible to PSHB are not eligible for the WA Tree Recovery Program. The program will not fund you to plant a tree that is itself a high-risk PSHB host — that would undermine the entire purpose of the removal. The three species excluded under both programs are Acer negundo (Box elder maple), Erythrina x sykesii (Coral tree), and Robinia pseudoacacia (Robinia). These are confirmed Extreme PSHB reproductive hosts under DPIRD WA Host List v6.
If you are unsure whether your chosen replacement tree is eligible, check with DWER directly at treerecovery@dwer.wa.gov.au before purchasing.
For guidance on which native trees are confirmed low-risk for your PSHB zone — whether you are claiming Treebate, the Tree Recovery Program, or both — use our Tree Selection Tool. It filters results by your suburb’s current DPIRD zone status, so you can be confident your chosen species is eligible under both programs before you spend a dollar.
How to Check Your PSHB Zone
Your eligibility for the WA Tree Recovery Program depends on whether DPIRD has authorised the removal of a tree from your property — not simply on which suburb you live in.
However, knowing your PSHB zone is important for both programs, particularly when choosing your replacement tree. The Management Zone in inner Perth metro is the active infestation area. The Containment Zone surrounds it as a buffer.
Check your suburb’s current PSHB zone status at the official DPIRD map: dpird.wa.gov.au/pshb
Zone boundaries are subject to change as the infestation management evolves. Always check the current boundaries before purchasing any tree.
How to Claim Each Program
WA Tree Recovery Program — via ServiceWA app:
- Have your unique DPIRD Tree ID ready
- Purchase your eligible replacement tree and establishment items in one transaction from a WA commercial nursery
- Plant the tree on your private property
- Photograph the plant label showing the species name
- Keep the itemised tax invoice — must show business trading name, ABN, total value including GST, purchase date, and itemised tree and establishment items purchased. No handwritten invoices or additions.
- Log in to ServiceWA app with myID at Standard level minimum
- Go to Discovery tab → Offers → WA Tree Recovery Program
- Submit claim with Tree ID, invoice, and plant label photo
Paper form alternative: Download from the WA Tree Recovery website. Post to WAIVPAY Ltd, PO Box R1691, Royal Exchange NSW 1225. Allow up to 30 days processing. Email treerecovery@dwer.wa.gov.au if you cannot download the form.
Translated claim forms are available from the DWER Treebate page for applicants who prefer to claim in a language other than English.
Quick Reference — Key Contacts
| Program | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Treebate (ServiceWA) | treebate@dwer.wa.gov.au | 13 33 92 (24/7) |
| Treebate (DWER direct) | treebate@dwer.wa.gov.au | +61 8 6364 7000 |
| DWER office address | Prime House, 8 Davidson Terrace, Joondalup WA 6027 | — |
| WA Tree Recovery Program | treerecovery@dwer.wa.gov.au | 13 33 92 (24/7) |
| PSHB zone queries | dpird.wa.gov.au/pshb | — |
Summary
Two programs. Two separate rebates. Both run by DWER. Both claim through ServiceWA. Both pay via WAIVPAY within approximately seven business days.
If you have had a tree removed under DPIRD authority, the WA Tree Recovery Program is specifically designed for you — and it covers more costs than Treebate does. If you are simply planting a native tree in your garden for the first time, Treebate is your program.
If you qualify for both, you can claim both — for separate trees, with separate invoices, under their separate eligibility rules.
The combined opportunity is up to $300 back from the WA Government for greening your property. For most Perth households with multiple adults, the potential is even higher.
Information in this article is verified against the official WA Tree Recovery Program page (updated 30 March 2026), ServiceWA WA Tree Recovery Program page (updated 12 March 2026), DWER Treebate program documentation (updated 26 March 2026), and DWER Treebate FAQ (updated 18 September 2025). treebate.com.au is an independent guide and is not affiliated with DWER or the WA Government. Always verify current eligibility requirements at wa.gov.au/treebate and wa.gov.au/treerecovery before purchasing.