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 reflects the job of early-careerforesters and forestry field officers with specialist roles in forest operations management and forest resource management.
Individuals with this qualification apply a broad range of advanced technical and management skills and forest knowledge to inform and contribute to forest management plans and manage forestry operations. This includes using industry-specific software, modelling and analysing forestry data and optimising forest management practice to improve production processes and wood flow outcomes.
At this level, individuals are expected to apply autonomy and judgement. They take responsibility for their own outputs at the workplace.
This qualification enables specialisations in:
- Forest Operations Management or
- Forest Resource Management.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
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Financial help
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Government funding is not available for this course.
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are not available
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You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
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On-the-job training
- Apprenticeships and traineeships are not available for this course.
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Qualification only:
1–2 years
- Qualification only:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
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 |
|---|---|
| Analyse ecology of commercial native forests and plantations | Elective |
| Apply business risk management processes | Elective |
| Apply environmental legislation, codes and standards | Elective |
| Apply innovative thinking to support forestry best practice | Elective |
| Apply principles of forest science to optimise forest management practices | Elective |
| Assist with calculating costs and production targets for forestry operations | Elective |
| Communicate forestry and forest science with stakeholders and the community | Elective |
| Conduct biological surveys | Elective |
| Conduct fire investigation and analysis activities | Elective |
| Contribute to and implement a biohazard contingency plan | Elective |
| Contribute to and implement a community engagement plan | Elective |
| Contribute to and implement a forest establishment plan | Elective |
| Contribute to and implement a forest harvesting plan | Elective |
| Contribute to and implement a forest inventory program | Elective |
| Contribute to and implement a forest regeneration plan | Elective |
| Contribute to and implement a forest roading operational plan | Elective |
| Contribute to and implement a silviculture regime for a plantation | Elective |
| Contribute to and implement a silviculture regime for native forest | Elective |
| Contribute to establishment and implementation of forest management systems | Elective |
| Contribute to management and monitoring of forestry supply chains | Elective |
| Contribute to selection and application of forest growth models | Elective |
| Contribute to the planning and conduct of forest valuation | Elective |
| Coordinate business operational plans | Elective |
| Create cutting instruction files for forestry harvesters | Elective |
| Create digital forest operational map | Elective |
| Develop complex prescribed burn plans | Elective |
| Develop simple prescribed burn plans | Elective |
| Implement continuous improvement | Elective |
| Implement forest management certification scheme | Elective |
| Implement practices to maximise value from wood residues | Elective |
| Implement prevention strategies | Elective |
| Implement workplace sustainability practices in the forest and wood products industry | Elective |
| Interpret and analyse fire weather information | Elective |
| Interpret and use image data in forestry planning and management | Elective |
| Interpret legislation | Elective |
| Lead effective workplace relationships | Elective |
| Lead initial response to and investigate WHS incidents | Elective |
| Lead team effectiveness | Elective |
| Manage a multi-team sector | Elective |
| Manage budgets and financial plans | Elective |
| Manage contracts | Elective |
| Manipulate and analyse data within geographic information systems | Elective |
| Monitor safety, health and environmental requirements in forest and wood products operations | Elective |
| Organise personal work priorities | Elective |
| Plan unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) collection of forestry data | Elective |
| Prepare and present GIS data | Elective |
| Prevent injury | Elective |
| Process and interpret harvester and forwarder optimisation data | Elective |
| Protect and preserve incident scene | Elective |
| Quality assure forestry data acquisition by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) | Elective |
| Respond to wildfire | Elective |
| Source information on the contribution of forestry to carbon reduction strategies | Elective |
| Supervise machinery use in wildfire operations | Elective |
| Support the learning and development of teams and individuals | Elective |
| Suppress wildfire | Elective |
| Write and present reports | Elective |
Job prospects
The Diploma of Forest Operations sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Forest Manager
ANZSCO 133511
Forest Managers manage the production activities of forestry operations.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Manufacturing Production Manager
ANZSCO 133512
Manufacturing Production Managers manage the manufacturing activities of organisations.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Customer Service Manager
ANZSCO 149212
Customer Service Managers plan, administer and review customer services and after-sales services, and maintain sound customer relations.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
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 -
Other Wood Machinist and Wood Trades Worker
ANZSCO 394299
Other Wood Machinists and Wood Trades Workers includes jobs like Cane Furniture Maker, Cooper, and Wood Model Maker.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Other Wood Processing Machine Operator
ANZSCO 711314
Other Wood Processing Machine Operators operate machines that strip and prepare logs, remove bark, cut logs and timber, create wood chips, and cut, glue, press, trim, sand, splice, mould and repair wooden boards of various grades, forms and combinations.
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 -
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 Diploma of Forest Operations
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
No providers found for this course.
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.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.