How to become a Timber and Wood Process Worker

Also called: Timber Mill Worker

Performs routine tasks in a sawmill, timber yard or wood product factory, such as sorting and stacking timber, and assembling timber or wood product orders.

Main tasks

• Loads and unloads logs and timber onto equipment and conveyors for stripping and seasoning
• Transports wood and processed wood products such as plywood, chipboard sheets, and panels, to work areas
• Examines timber or wood for faults such as knots, bad edges and stains
• Assists production operators in operating timber and wood processing machinery or equipment, such as saws, planers and sanders
• Measures and cuts timber or wood products to specific dimensions using machines or hand tools
• Sorts and stacks timber or wood products according to size, type and quality
• Racks offcuts and removes waste timber or wood products from processing area for disposal or recycling
• Assembles orders by selecting and gathering required timber pieces or wood products
• Packs and loads finished timber or wood products for transportation

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations (FWP30322); Certificate II in Timber and Wood Products Operations (FWP20322); Certificate II in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (MSF20322)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 4,200 people work in this job group now, and about 4,000 are projected by 2035. (-3.5%)
• 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

• Cement and Concrete Plant Worker
• Chemical Plant Worker
• Fabric and Textile Factory Worker
• Glass Processing Worker
• Metal Engineering Process Worker
• Paper and Pulp Process Worker

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Timber and Wood Process Worker?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations; Certificate II in Timber and Wood Products Operations.

Is a Timber and Wood Process Worker a growing career in Australia?

Employment is projected to fall 3% by 2035, from about 4,200 to about 4,000 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Timber and Wood Process Worker?

Usually not. Only 3% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations; Certificate II in Timber and Wood Products Operations.

Will AI change the work of a Timber and Wood Process 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
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04