How to become a Forestry Worker

Assists with cultivating, maintaining and protecting plantation and private native forests.

Main tasks

• Maintains forest roads, buildings, facilities, signs and equipment
• Kills weeds, fells and de-barks non-productive trees, and thins young plantations
• Collects seeds and cones, and cultivates and plants seedlings for reforestation purposes
• Applies fertilisers and pesticides to individual trees and general forest areas
• May engage in fire prevention, control and suppression activities
• May assist with measuring and recording data for maintaining and enhancing the health and productivity of forested areas, such as seedling survival surveys

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Forest Operations (FWP30122); Certificate II in Forest Operations (FWP20122); Certificate II in Rural Operations (AHC21216)

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

• Bush Regenerator
• Irrigation Assistant
• Garden Labourer
• Horticultural Nursery Assistant

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Forestry Worker?

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

Is a Forestry Worker 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 Worker?

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 II in Forest Operations.

Will AI change the work of a Forestry Worker?

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