Certificate III in Forest Operations

FWP30122

This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.

Overview

This qualification describes the job of people who operate at a production level in a forest operation.

Individuals with this qualification apply specialised skills and knowledge relevant to operational roles in forest operations. This includes applying knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and protecting the environment, including the areas of cultural significance. They are also expected to operate equipment according to workplace procedures and conduct work tasks specific to a forest operation.

At this level, workers complete tasks under limited supervision and collaborate with others to meet productivity requirements.

This qualification enables specialisations in:

  • Forest Nursery Production,
  • Silviculture, or
  • Timber Harvesting and Haulage.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

  • Financial help

  • Cost

    Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.

    To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.

  • On-the-job training

    This traineeship is available:

    • Forest Growing and Management Level 3
  • Entry requirements

    This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.

  • Duration

    You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.

  • Delivery options

    You may be able to access this training in these ways:

    • Workplace-based
    • Some classroom learning
    • Part-time available
    • Partially online
    • Practical learning

Course content

This course is made up of units.

All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.

For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.

Unit Unit type
Communicate and interact effectively in the forest and wood products industry Core
Work effectively in the forest and wood products industry Core
Access, capture and communicate forestry field data using mobile devices Elective
Apply biodiversity protection principles Elective
Apply biosecurity measures Elective
Apply communication protocols during post-bushfire vegetation clearing and clean-up operations Elective
Apply cultural heritage protection requirements in forest operations Elective
Apply fatigue management strategies Elective
Apply knowledge of tree stock growing in a forest nursery Elective
Apply pest animal control techniques Elective
Apply quality and product care procedures in forest and wood products operations Elective
Apply safety, health and environmental requirements in forest and wood products operations Elective
Apply situational awareness and a safety mindset in operational forestry roles Elective
Apply sustainable silviculture treatments Elective
Apply tree jacking techniques in felling trees Elective
Apply tree seed treatment Elective
Assess fire risk Elective
Assess wood materials visually Elective
Assist with prescribed burning Elective
Collect and record production data Elective
Communicate effectively with general public or stakeholders concerned about forest practices Elective
Comply with soil and water protection Elective
Conduct backhoe/loader operations Elective
Conduct civil construction dozer operations Elective
Conduct civil construction excavator operations Elective
Conduct civil construction grader operations Elective
Conduct civil construction skid steer loader operations Elective
Conduct civil construction tracked front end loader operations Elective
Conduct civil construction wheeled front end loader operations Elective
Conduct initial investigation at incident scene Elective
Conduct mechanical processor operations Elective
Conduct mechanically assisted tree falling operations Elective
Conduct operator level equipment maintenance in forest and wood products industry Elective
Conduct pump operations Elective
Conduct roller operations Elective
Conduct tip truck operations Elective
Conduct tractor operations Elective
Conduct tree hazard assessment post-fire Elective
Construct and maintain forest roads and tracks Elective
Control plant pests, diseases and disorders Elective
Control weeds Elective
Coordinate machinery and equipment maintenance and repair Elective
Erect timber structures and features Elective
Extract, clean, store and despatch tree seeds Elective
Fell trees manually (advanced) Elective
Fell trees manually (intermediate) Elective
Follow environmental protection procedures in forest and wood products operations Elective
Follow fire prevention procedures Elective
Follow workplace health and safety policies and procedures in forest and wood products operations Elective
Grade and mark logs Elective
Graft nursery stock for planting in seed orchard Elective
Ground spread fertiliser and soil ameliorant Elective
Harvest trees manually (advanced) Elective
Harvest trees manually (intermediate) Elective
Identify, evaluate and mark quality seed trees Elective
Implement environmentally sustainable work practices in the work area/work site Elective
Implement erosion and sediment control measures Elective
Implement quality assurance procedures Elective
Interpret road maps and navigate pre-determined routes Elective
Licence to operate a vehicle loading crane (capacity 10 metre tonnes and above) Elective
Load and unload plant Elective
Maintain safety at an incident scene Elective
Maintain seed orchard Elective
Manage mother plants Elective
Monitor and maintain nursery plants Elective
Monitor log recovery (rigging slinger) Elective
Monitor weather conditions Elective
Navigate in forest areas Elective
Navigate to an incident Elective
Operate automated seed sowing line for containerised forest seedling production Elective
Operate automated topping system as part of tree production nursery operations Elective
Operate breathing apparatus open circuit Elective
Operate crawler tractor Elective
Operate excavator with log grapple Elective
Operate feller buncher Elective
Operate fertigation equipment Elective
Operate forwarder Elective
Operate four wheel drive vehicle in a towing situation Elective
Operate four wheel drive vehicle on unsealed roads Elective
Operate harvesting machine with winch-assist system Elective
Operate heavy plant in fire control operations Elective
Operate integrated or split flail and wood chipper with crane Elective
Operate irrigation controller and sensor technology Elective
Operate loader Elective
Operate pressurised irrigation systems Elective
Operate pumps Elective
Operate single grip harvester Elective
Operate skidder Elective
Operate split flail and wood chipper fed by mobile machine Elective
Operate yarder Elective
Perform complex four wheel drive operations Elective
Plan and construct conventional fencing Elective
Plant trees mechanically Elective
Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases Elective
Prepare, maintain and test response equipment Elective
Prevent injury Elective
Protect places of cultural significance Elective
Provide Advanced First Aid Elective
Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation Elective
Provide First Aid Elective
Provide First Aid in remote or isolated site Elective
Prune trees Elective
Push trees with machines in forest fire control operations Elective
Read and interpret digital maps and forest operation plans Elective
Recover four wheel drive vehicle Elective
Rehabilitate tracks, quarries and landings Elective
Respond to aviation incident (specialist) Elective
Respond to isolated structure fire Elective
Respond to urban fire Elective
Respond to wildfire Elective
Support effective workplace relationships Elective
Suppress wildfire Elective
Take local weather observations Elective
Transport and store chemicals Elective
Transport forestry logs using trucks Elective
Transport forestry produce using trucks Elective
Trim trees using a pole saw Elective
Undertake aerial rescue Elective
Undertake propagation activities Elective
Use arborist climbing techniques Elective
Use chainsaw within a tree Elective
Use environmental care procedures to undertake fire salvage operations Elective
Use firearms to humanely destroy animals Elective
Use mechanised equipment for forestry site preparation Elective
Use on-board computer systems for forwarder Elective
Use on-board computer systems for single grip harvester Elective
Work autonomously Elective
Work effectively with others Elective
Work in a team Elective

Job prospects

The Certificate III in Forest Operations sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.

  • Fruit and Nut Grower

    ANZSCO 121213

    Plant, cultivate and harvest plants that bear fruits or nuts.

    Recommended education level:
    Bachelor degree or higher

  • Forester

    ANZSCO 234113

    Foresters study, develop and manage forest areas to maintain commercial and recreational uses, conserve flora and fauna, and protect against fire, pests and diseases.

    Recommended education level:
    Bachelor degree or higher

  • Arborist

    ANZSCO 362212

    Arborists maintain and care for trees and shrubs by lopping limbs and shaping branches, treating trees with fertilisers and insecticides, removing dead or decaying trees, and advising on general tree care.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Nurseryperson

    ANZSCO 362411

    Nurserypersons propagate and cultivate trees, shrubs, and ornamental and flowering plants in plant nurseries.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator

    ANZSCO 721111

    Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operators operate agricultural and horticultural plants to clear and cultivate land, and sow and harvest crops.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Logging Plant Operator

    ANZSCO 721112

    Logging Plant Operators operate plants to fell trees and drag, transport and load logs onto trucks.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Truck Driver (General)

    ANZSCO 733111

    Truck Drivers (General) drive heavy trucks requiring a specially endorsed class of licence, to transport bulky goods.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Forestry Worker

    ANZSCO 841311

    Forestry Workers assist with cultivating, maintaining and protecting forests.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Logging Assistant

    ANZSCO 841312

    Logging Assistants assist with logging, felling and sawing of trees in forests.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Tree Faller

    ANZSCO 841313

    Tree Fallers fell trees in forests, and trim and saw them into logs.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

Training providers delivering Certificate III in Forest Operations

It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.

Showing: 8 providers

How to enrol in this course

To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.

When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.

The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.

Delivery locations can change as students enrol. If you're doing any workplace-based training, like an apprenticeship, this will take place in a different location from your classroom training. Contact your training provider to confirm delivery locations.
Government funding may be available. Contact your training provider to confirm.