Jobs and Skills AustraliaIs the work there?
Official shortage list
Australia's official shortage list rates forestry workers, logging assistants and tree fallers as not in shortage. The 2025 Occupation Shortage List rates Forestry Worker, Logging Assistant and Tree Faller as not in shortage.
Jobs and Skills Australia, Occupation Shortage List · 2025 assessment
Occupation mapping by Get Course, shown with ANZSCO codes so it can be checked.
NCVER Total VET ActivityWho is training
Enrolments in the Certificate II in Forest Operations are growing. Across Australia, 325 people enrolled in 2024. In 2025 it was 370, up 13.8% in a year. National data for FWP20122 starts in 2023.
NCVER Total VET Activity · 2025 collection
training.gov.au · Australian Qualifications FrameworkWhat does studying it involve?
The register and the national framework set some of this. Providers set the rest.
How long it takes
A Certificate II is typically 0.5 to 1 year of full-time study under the Australian Qualifications Framework. Providers set the exact length and pace.
Delivery
Providers set the delivery mode.
Credit for experience
Recognition of prior learning applies to FWP20122 like any qualification on the national register: an approved provider assesses your evidence against each unit.
training.gov.au national register; Australian Qualifications Framework.
State subsidised training listsWhat does it cost, and who funds it?
State funding for FWP20122 is being verified against official program lists.
Eligibility and student contributions vary by program and provider. The official state listing is the source of truth. In a subsidised place the government pays most of the tuition and you pay a co-contribution set by the program and provider.
Official state subsidised training program lists, verified per state. Full-fee prices will appear here as partner courses are listed.
training.gov.au · unit packagingWhat is in the qualification
The register lists 5 core units for the Certificate II in Forest Operations, plus 70 elective options. Prerequisites apply to Three of them, marked below.
- FWPCOR2206Work effectively in the forest and wood products industry
- FWPCOR2208Communicate and interact effectively in the forest and wood products industry
- FWPCOR2209Follow environmental protection procedures in forest and wood products operations
- FWPCOR2210Follow workplace health and safety policies and procedures in forest and wood products operations
- FWPCOR2211Develop knowledge of the forest and wood products industry
View the 70 elective options
- AHCARB212Operate and maintain stump grinding machines
- AHCBIO204Follow site biosecurity procedures
- AHCCHM201Apply chemicals under supervision
- AHCCHM304Transport and store chemicals
- AHCCHM307Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
- AHCINF206Install, maintain and repair farm fencing
- AHCMOM202Operate tractors
- AHCMOM216Operate side by side utility vehicles
- AHCOCM201Maintain cultural sites
- AHCPMG201Treat weeds
- AHCPMG202Treat plant pests, diseases and disorders
- AHCSAW203Conduct erosion and sediment control activities
- AVIY0028Operate remotely piloted aircraft in excluded category sub-2 kg operations
- BSBCRT201Develop and apply thinking and problem solving skills
- BSBPEF202Plan and apply time management
- BSBWHS211Contribute to the health and safety of self and others
- FBPOPR2074Carry out manual handling tasks
- FSKOCM007Interact effectively with others at work
- FSKRDG007Read and respond to simple workplace information
- FSKWTG006Write simple workplace information
- FWPCOT2242Segregate and sort logs
- FWPCOT2254Maintain chainsaws
- FWPCOT2264Follow quality and product care procedures in forest and wood products operations
- FWPCOT2265Navigate in forest areas
- FWPCOT2266Operate brush cutter
- FWPCOT2267Operate mobile hydraulic log splitter
- FWPCOT2273Trim and cut felled trees
- FWPCOT2275Fell trees manually (basic)
- FWPCOT3270Grade and mark logs
- FWPCOT3301Trim trees using a pole saw
- FWPCOT3302Access and provide timber and wood product information
- FWPCOT3314Comply with soil and water protection
- FWPCOT3317Use chainsaw within a tree
- FWPCOT3318Access, capture and communicate forestry field data using mobile devices
- FWPCOT3319Read and interpret digital maps and forest operation plans
- FWPCOT3324Apply cultural heritage protection requirements in forest operations
- FWPCOT3325Operate four wheel drive vehicle on unsealed roads
- FWPCOT3326Recover four wheel drive vehicle
- FWPFIR2001Follow fire prevention procedures
- FWPFIR2002Detect fire in a native forest or plantation
- FWPFIR3002Apply communication protocols during post-bushfire vegetation clearing and clean-up operations
- FWPHAR2201Hook up felled trees (choker)
- FWPHAR2202Perform landing duties (chaser)
- FWPHAR2208Operate a mobile chipper/mulcher
- FWPHAR2209Trim and cut harvested trees
- FWPHAR2210Operate a forest machine simulator in a virtual environment
- FWPNSY2001Collect tree seeds
- FWPNSY2002Cut, sort and set cuttings
- FWPNSY2003Follow quality procedures in forest nursery production
- FWPNSY2004Prick out and transplant tree seedlings
- FWPNSY2005Apply tree seed treatment
- FWPSIL2001Select and mark trees for tending operations
- FWPSIL2002Plant trees by hand
- FWPSIL2003Prune trees
- FWPSIL2004Collect forest data or samples for assessment and analysis
- FWPSIL2005Measure trees
- HLTAID011Provide First Aid
- MSS402003Apply competitive systems and practices
- MSS402004Sustain process improvements
- PUAEQU001Prepare, maintain and test response equipment (has prerequisites)
- PUAFIR017Work safely around aircraft
- PUAFIR201Assist with prescribed burning (has prerequisites)
- PUAFIR204Respond to wildfire (has prerequisites)
- PUAFIR210Prevent injury
- PUALAW001Protect and preserve incident scene
- PUAOPE013Operate communications systems and equipment
- PUATEA001Work in a team
- TLID0007Operate specialised load shifting equipment
- TLID0020Shift materials safely using manual handling methods
- TLILIC0003Licence to operate a forklift truck
training.gov.au national register, FWP20122 release 3
Same training packageWhat skill sets come from the FWP training package?