How to become a Forester

Studies, develops and manages forest areas to maintain commercial and recreational uses, conserve flora and fauna, and protect against fire, pests and diseases.

Main tasks

• Contributes to plans for forest management and operations, which may include silviculture, pest and disease management, forest production, harvesting, haulage, road construction, reforestation and/or regeneration activities
• Collects, reviews and uses data such as forest area, species, volumes of timber and growth rates, for forest management purposes
• Manages the use and sale of forest products such as timber
• Investigates, plans and implements management procedures to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters, pests and diseases on forests, including planning and managing fire prevention, and detection and suppression activities such as prescribed burning
• Develops and maintains relationships with stakeholders such as recreational forest users and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and advises governments and clients on forest management strategies
• Maintains organisational policies and processes to comply with environmental, safety and quality standards and regulations, including forest certification
• May study the propagation and culture of forest trees, methods for improving the growth of stock, and the effects of thinning on forest yields

Ways in

• University: Science degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Forest Operations (FWP30122); Certificate II in Forest Operations (FWP20122); Certificate IV in Forest Operations (FWP40121); Diploma of Forest Operations (FWP50121)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $107,848 a year
• About 9,400 people work in this job group now, and about 11,100 are projected by 2035. (+17.5%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Agricultural Consultant
• Agricultural Research Scientist
• Agronomist
• Aquaculture or Fisheries Scientist

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Forester?

Ways in include: Science degrees; Certificate III in Forest Operations; Certificate II in Forest Operations.

How much does a Forester earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $107,848 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Forester a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 18% by 2035, from about 9,400 to about 11,100 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Forester?

Not always. 49% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Science degrees; Certificate III in Forest Operations; Certificate II in Forest Operations.

Will AI change the work of a Forester?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04