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Occupation Information
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Forest Worker
Tree FellerSkidderLoggerHarvesting ContractorForestry WorkerFeller )



Duties and Tasks
Quick Facts
Work Conditions
Personal Requirements
Case Study
Related Industries
Labour Market
Related Jobs
Earnings
Related Courses
Further Information
State Specific Information

Using highly engineered machinery for logging
Using highly engineered machinery for logging

Forest workers assist with growing, maintaining and harvesting timber plantations. 

Fact Sheet

Duties and Tasks

Forest workers may perform the following tasks:

  • prepare sites for tree planting
  • raise and package cuttings and seedlings at a forest nursery
  • undertake planting and other re-growth activities of native or plantation forests
  • control weeds and pests in both new and established forests using fertilisers, insecticides and herbicides
  • prune and thin trees in plantations by hand and using mechanical equipment
  • collect seeds
  • construct and maintain facilities such as access roads, buildings and visitors' amenities
  • prevent and put out fires, including maintenance of fire breaks, fire spotting, controlled burning and fire fighting
  • maintain forestry equipment and vehicles
  • mark trees for harvesting
  • fell trees safely and efficiently using chainsaws, handsaws, axes and wedges
  • operate a wide range of mechanical harvesting equipment
  • observe correct environmental practices to minimise impact on roads, water courses and wildlife corridors
  • prepare logs for transportation by removal of limbs, de-barking, log cutting and grading.

Info Icon Quick Facts

Learning Area Geography  
Physical Education  
Rural Studies  
Work Demand Including dusty or polluted environment  
Including full use of hands/fingers  
Including good vision for detail  
Including heavy lifting  
Including mainly outdoor work  
Including physical effort  
Work Field Agriculture, Animal and Primary Industries  
Work Interest Practical or Mechanical  
Nature or Recreation  
Skill Level Skilled Non-trade Jobs  
Quick Facts

Work Conditions

Forest workers are usually employed in small work teams. They may work in softwood and hardwood plantations and forests, in rural areas or in isolated bush locations. Much of the work is outdoors and therefore subject to varying weather conditions. Some aspects of the work can be physically demanding.

Personal Requirements

  • enjoy practical and outdoor work
  • alert and safety conscious
  • physically fit
  • good hand-eye coordination
  • enjoy forest protection and regeneration
  • sound literacy and numeracy skills.

Case Study

Outdoor Living

Related Industries

Forestry and Logging

Labour Market

Information

Australian JobOutlook for Forestry and Logging Workers

Vacancies

Australian JobSearch for Forestry and Logging Workers (ALL AUSTRALIA)
Work Opportunities websites

Related Jobs

Forest Technical Officer
Forester
Pest and Weed Controller
Timber/Forest Products Worker

Earnings

View text version of earnings

Occupation Earnings Graph

Occupation Mean Weekly Earnings Graph

How Much?

Related Courses

New South Wales / ACT
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.

Further Information

Department of Primary Industries
Department of Regional Development Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources
Forest Industries Training Services
Forest Works
Forestry Plantations Queensland
Forestry SA
Forestry Tasmania
Forests NSW
People Service Branch Personnel Section, Department of Conservation and Land Management (WA)
Timber Queensland

State Specific Information

New South Wales / ACT
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

Loading timber for transportation
Loading timber for transportation