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Certificate III · national qualification

Certificate III in Forest Operations

This qualification is for people who work in forest operations at a production level, doing the hands-on work of growing, tending and harvesting trees.

Compare 4 providers
How long it takes
1 to 2 years
typical for this level
How you can study
On the job
Taught by
4 providers
4 states and territories

Is this course right for you?

What the Certificate III in Forest Operations asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

It helps to have

  • an interest in working outdoors with trees
  • a careful attitude to safety at work
  • willingness to work as part of a team
  • respect for the environment and cultural sites

Before you start

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

Where you can study this course

There are 4 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.

What you’ll learn

13 units: 2 that everyone takes and 11 you choose.

  • Working safely in forests
  • Protecting the environment
  • Cultural heritage awareness
  • Operating forest equipment
  • Communicating on site
  • Meeting production targets
See all 2 core units

Core units

Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.

  • Loading the details for FWPCOR2206…

Questions to ask before you enrol

Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.

  1. When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
  2. What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
  3. Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
  4. Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?

Questions people ask

Who is this qualification for?

It's for people who work in forest operations at a production level, doing hands-on work like growing, tending and harvesting trees. You learn to carry out tasks safely, protect the environment including cultural sites, and use equipment as your workplace expects.

Do I need experience or other qualifications first?

There are no entry requirements for this qualification itself. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.

The national training register, training.gov.au. TAFE course pages, read 20 September 2026. Google reviews. Pay and shortage status from Jobs and Skills Australia.