How to become a Forestry Operations Supervisor

Supervises Forestry and Logging Workers to ensure safe, efficient and effective cultivation, maintenance and harvesting of natural and plantation forests.

Main tasks

• Supervises the cultivation and maintenance of natural and plantation forests
• Supervises the operation and maintenance of specialised equipment and machinery used in forestry settings
• Oversees logging and haulage crews, and directs activities for harvesting and reafforestation
• Provides training and guidance to forestry and logging workers on correct techniques and procedures, and conducts forestry-specific safety drills

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Forest Operations (FWP30122); Certificate IV in Forest Operations (FWP40121); Diploma of Forest Operations (FWP50121); Certificate II in Forest Operations (FWP20122)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 2,100 people work in this job group now, and about 2,300 are projected by 2035. (+6.3%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Aquaculture Supervisor
• Fishing Leading Hand
• Horticultural Supervisor or Specialist
• Senior Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farm Worker
• Senior Broadacre Crop Farm Worker
• Vineyard Supervisor

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become a Forestry Operations Supervisor?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Forest Operations; Certificate IV in Forest Operations.

Is a Forestry Operations Supervisor a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 2,100 to about 2,300 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Forestry Operations Supervisor?

Usually not. Only 12% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Forest Operations; Certificate IV in Forest Operations.

Will AI change the work of a Forestry Operations Supervisor?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

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

Updated 2026-10-04