Forestry work is changing rapidly, from cutting down trees in native forests, to managing the forest environment or growing and harvesting timber on plantations.

In Western Australia there are approximately 370 forestry workers, 87 per cent of whom are males.

Work opportunities are often in rural or remote areas, and the majority of positions are in the South West. There are also a smaller number of forestry workers employed in the Lower Great Southern and Perth metropolitan areas.

Each year, there are a small number of commencements in the Conservation and Land Management, Forest Growing, Harvesting, Sawmilling and Processing, Merchandising, Timber and Wood Panel Products traineeships. A small number also commence the Horticulture (Aboriculture) traineeship each year.

Doing Their Part For Nature

Forestry workers help plant, harvest, conserve and protect forests. Their duties include planting new tree seedlings, fighting tree 'enemies' such as fire and disease, and helping to manage recreation and tourism activities undertaken in the State's forests.

To prepare land for planting, forestry workers begin by ripping and mounding and undertaking weed and pest control. They may also have to remove diseased trees with chain saws. They are then required to mark out contours, peg out boundaries and establish fire breaks prior to planting. Once the trees are planted, forestry workers check for weed regrowth and insect damage, and then treat if needed.



Forestry workers work in a variety of often beautiful outdoor environments, in native forests where they are now mainly involved in conservation, or on plantations, where they nurture trees so that they will yield timber products for commercial purposes. Forestry workers employed by government departments such as CALM may also be required to maintain forest facilities such as camps, road sites, buildings and visitor amenities, and occasionally undertake some administrative work. They may even have a public education role at schools.

Does This Sound Like The Job For You?

Forestry jobs are physically demanding. You will need to be fit and healthy, as forestry workers must often move very quickly over steep and uneven terrain. You will also be required to bend, stoop, crouch and carry heavy equipment and supplies. Also, because most work is in remote areas, it may involve living in a camp, and/or a lot of driving. Some days you may spend up to four hours driving to and from sites. Also, as with any outdoor job, you'll sometimes be exposed to extreme temperatures and difficult weather conditions.



Sarah, who works in the plantation industry, adds that the work is very seasonal.

''We're a lot busier during the winter months than during the summer. Most of the planting is undertaken during the winter months while in summer, it's mainly maintenance work.''

When asked about the best aspects of the job, Sarah said that she really enjoys fieldwork.

''After having worked in research, it's great to be able to spend time out of the office.''

She also said that through her work, she gets to meet all sorts of people.



The forestry industry in Western Australia is currently undergoing significant restructuring to reduce production from native forests. There is a current trend towards the development of commercially viable tree crops, and new plantation industries have emerged, for example, blue gum is now being widely cultivated for export as pulpwood for making paper. If you've been to Albany recently, you might have noticed there are more blue gums around than before. Blue gum cultivation is anticipated to be an area of substantial growth over the next several years resulting in a good demand for harvesters.



The development of new tree crops to extend out into dry wheatbelt areas such as oil mallee production, could be a growing source of employment for forestry workers. Tree crops in these regions are urgently required to help control salinity.



Major employers of forestry workers include the department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM), and a number of plantation timber and forest product companies. As forestry workers can be employed at a number of different levels, (for example, as field officers, district operations officers, or senior rangers), the required education qualifications may vary.



The starting salary for forestry workers is around $18,000 per year. Those with formal qualifications will earn closer to $31,000, and up to $38,000, depending on experience. Forestry workers in more senior positions may earn between $40,000 to $50,000 per year.

In the past, some forestry workers could obtain employment without formal qualifications. However, with the implementation of the Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package, it is expected that entry level skill requirements for forestry workers will rise. In addition, it is useful to have completed a short course in chainsaw or loader operation. In fact, for some employers, you will be required to have a basic chainsaw operator's certificate.

CALM recruits field officers on an annual basis by placing an advertisement in the paper. Selected applicants are then required to undertake a training program at Dwellingup, and approximately 15 of the most successful candidates will be allocated to positions within CALM, as they arise.

Traineeships are also available in conservation and land management, forest growing, harvesting, sawmilling and processing, merchandising, timber and wood panel products. You can also enter this occupation with a Horticulture (Aboriculture) traineeship. For further information on how to obtain a traineeship position, please contact the New Apprenticeships Hotline on 1800 639 629.

	Other Training Providers
	National Training Information Service website.
	TAFE Colleges
	Homepage links and contact details for all TAFE Colleges in WA.
	TAFE Handbook
	An online guide to full time TAFE courses available throughout WA.

Forest Industries Federation of Western Australia
Homebase Expo 55 Salvado Road Subiaco WA 6008 Phone: (08) 9380 4510

Department of Conservation and Land Management
Dwellingup WA 6213 Phone: (08) 9538 1078

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