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FWP30122Certificate IIICurrentFWP training package

FWP30122 Certificate III in Forest Operations

FWP30122 is the nationally recognised Certificate III behind forestry worker work. It has been the current version on the national register since 2023, when it replaced FWP30121. 580 people enrolled in 2025, up 27.5% on the year before.

Often searched as Cert 3 in Forest Operations · Register data synced 18 Sept 2026 from training.gov.au
Long-term outlook
Mixed
One structural signal up; not rated in shortage
Register status
Current
Replaced FWP30121 in 2023
Enrolments
Rising
Up 27.5% in a year
Funding status
Verification pending
Checked against official state program lists
The short answer

The signals behind the Certificate III in Forest Operations are mixed, and both sides are worth weighing. Enrolments are rising. The official shortage list does not rate its occupations in shortage. These are official statistics, not a promise about your result.

Jobs and Skills Australia

Is 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 Activity

Who is training

Enrolments in the Certificate III in Forest Operations are growing. Across Australia, 455 people enrolled in 2024. In 2025 it was 580, up 27.5% in a year. National data for FWP30122 starts in 2023.

NCVER Total VET Activity · 2025 collection
training.gov.au · Australian Qualifications Framework

What does studying it involve?

The register and the national framework set some of this. Providers set the rest.

How long it takes
A Certificate III is typically 1 to 2 years 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 FWP30122 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 lists

What does it cost, and who funds it?

State funding for FWP30122 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 packaging

What is in the qualification

The register lists 2 core units for the Certificate III in Forest Operations, plus 127 elective options. Prerequisites apply to 14 of them, marked below.

  • FWPCOR2206Work effectively in the forest and wood products industry
  • FWPCOR2208Communicate and interact effectively in the forest and wood products industry
View the 127 elective options
  • AHCARB318Undertake aerial rescue (has prerequisites)
  • AHCARB319Use arborist climbing techniques
  • AHCBIO303Apply biosecurity measures
  • AHCCHM304Transport and store chemicals
  • AHCCHM307Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
  • AHCINF307Plan and construct conventional fencing
  • AHCIRG328Operate irrigation controller and sensor technology
  • AHCIRG346Operate pressurised irrigation systems
  • AHCLSC318Erect timber structures and features
  • AHCMOM301Coordinate machinery and equipment maintenance and repair
  • AHCMOM306Ground spread fertiliser and soil ameliorant
  • AHCNSY207Undertake propagation activities
  • AHCNSY314Operate fertigation equipment
  • AHCOCM401Protect places of cultural significance
  • AHCPMG301Control weeds
  • AHCPMG302Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
  • AHCPMG304Use firearms to humanely destroy animals
  • AHCPMG309Apply pest animal control techniques
  • AHCSAW304Implement erosion and sediment control measures
  • AHCWRK215Collect and record production data
  • AHCWRK314Monitor weather conditions
  • AHCWRK404Implement quality assurance procedures
  • BSBLDR301Support effective workplace relationships
  • BSBTWK201Work effectively with others
  • FBPVIT3004Monitor and maintain nursery plants (has prerequisites)
  • FWPCOR2209Follow environmental protection procedures in forest and wood products operations
  • FWPCOR2210Follow workplace health and safety policies and procedures in forest and wood products operations
  • FWPCOR3205Apply safety, health and environmental requirements in forest and wood products operations
  • FWPCOT2265Navigate in forest areas
  • FWPCOT3270Grade and mark logs
  • FWPCOT3301Trim trees using a pole saw
  • FWPCOT3306Rehabilitate tracks, quarries and landings
  • FWPCOT3311Use environmental care procedures to undertake fire salvage operations
  • FWPCOT3312Implement environmentally sustainable work practices in the work area/work site
  • FWPCOT3313Apply biodiversity protection principles
  • FWPCOT3314Comply with soil and water protection
  • FWPCOT3315Transport forestry logs using trucks
  • FWPCOT3316Transport forestry produce using trucks
  • FWPCOT3317Use chainsaw within a tree
  • FWPCOT3318Access, capture and communicate forestry field data using mobile devices
  • FWPCOT3319Read and interpret digital maps and forest operation plans
  • FWPCOT3321Apply situational awareness and a safety mindset in operational forestry roles (has prerequisites)
  • FWPCOT3322Apply quality and product care procedures in forest and wood products operations
  • FWPCOT3323Assess wood materials visually
  • FWPCOT3324Apply cultural heritage protection requirements in forest operations
  • FWPCOT3325Operate four wheel drive vehicle on unsealed roads
  • FWPCOT3326Recover four wheel drive vehicle
  • FWPCOT3328Operate four wheel drive vehicle in a towing situation
  • FWPCOT3329Perform complex four wheel drive operations
  • FWPCOT3330Apply tree jacking techniques in felling trees
  • FWPCOT3335Conduct operator level equipment maintenance in forest and wood products industry
  • FWPCOT3346Communicate effectively with general public or stakeholders concerned about forest practices
  • FWPCOT3350Fell trees manually (intermediate)
  • FWPCOT3351Fell trees manually (advanced)
  • FWPFGM3208Construct and maintain forest roads and tracks
  • FWPFIR2001Follow fire prevention procedures
  • FWPFIR3001Assess fire risk
  • FWPFIR3002Apply communication protocols during post-bushfire vegetation clearing and clean-up operations
  • FWPFIR4001Conduct tree hazard assessment post-fire
  • FWPHAR3202Monitor log recovery (rigging slinger)
  • FWPHAR3203Operate integrated or split flail and wood chipper with crane
  • FWPHAR3204Operate split flail and wood chipper fed by mobile machine
  • FWPHAR3205Harvest trees manually (intermediate)
  • FWPHAR3209Harvest trees manually (advanced)
  • FWPHAR3212Operate yarder
  • FWPHAR3222Use on-board computer systems for forwarder
  • FWPHAR3223Use on-board computer systems for single grip harvester
  • FWPHAR3224Operate crawler tractor
  • FWPHAR3225Operate excavator with log grapple
  • FWPHAR3226Operate feller buncher
  • FWPHAR3227Operate forwarder
  • FWPHAR3228Operate loader
  • FWPHAR3229Operate single grip harvester
  • FWPHAR3230Operate skidder
  • FWPHAR3232Operate harvesting machine with winch-assist system
  • FWPHAR3234Conduct mechanical processor operations
  • FWPHAR3235Conduct mechanically assisted tree falling operations
  • FWPNSY2005Apply tree seed treatment
  • FWPNSY3001Graft nursery stock for planting in seed orchard
  • FWPNSY3002Extract, clean, store and despatch tree seeds
  • FWPNSY3003Apply knowledge of tree stock growing in a forest nursery
  • FWPNSY3004Identify, evaluate and mark quality seed trees
  • FWPNSY3005Maintain seed orchard
  • FWPNSY3006Manage mother plants
  • FWPNSY3007Operate automated topping system as part of tree production nursery operations
  • FWPNSY3008Operate automated seed sowing line for containerised forest seedling production
  • FWPSIL2003Prune trees
  • FWPSIL3001Apply sustainable silviculture treatments
  • FWPSIL3002Plant trees mechanically
  • FWPSIL3003Use mechanised equipment for forestry site preparation
  • HLTAID009Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
  • HLTAID011Provide First Aid
  • HLTAID013Provide First Aid in remote or isolated site
  • HLTAID014Provide Advanced First Aid
  • PUAEQU001Prepare, maintain and test response equipment (has prerequisites)
  • PUAFIR201Assist with prescribed burning (has prerequisites)
  • PUAFIR203Respond to urban fire (has prerequisites)
  • PUAFIR204Respond to wildfire (has prerequisites)
  • PUAFIR205Respond to aviation incident (specialist) (has prerequisites)
  • PUAFIR207Operate breathing apparatus open circuit (has prerequisites)
  • PUAFIR210Prevent injury
  • PUAFIR220Respond to isolated structure fire (has prerequisites)
  • PUAFIR303Suppress wildfire (has prerequisites)
  • PUAFIR309Operate pumps (has prerequisites)
  • PUAFIR323Take local weather observations
  • PUAFIR325Operate heavy plant in fire control operations
  • PUAFIR326Push trees with machines in forest fire control operations
  • PUALAW002Conduct initial investigation at incident scene
  • PUAOPE014Navigate to an incident
  • PUATEA001Work in a team
  • PUATEA002Work autonomously (has prerequisites)
  • PUAWHS002Maintain safety at an incident scene (has prerequisites)
  • RIIHAN308FLoad and unload plant
  • RIIMPO315EConduct tractor operations
  • RIIMPO317FConduct roller operations
  • RIIMPO318FConduct civil construction skid steer loader operations
  • RIIMPO319EConduct backhoe/loader operations
  • RIIMPO320FConduct civil construction excavator operations
  • RIIMPO321FConduct civil construction wheeled front end loader operations
  • RIIMPO322EConduct civil construction tracked front end loader operations
  • RIIMPO323EConduct civil construction dozer operations
  • RIIMPO324FConduct civil construction grader operations
  • RIIPGP201DConduct pump operations
  • RIIVEH304EConduct tip truck operations
  • TLIF2010Apply fatigue management strategies
  • TLIH0005Interpret road maps and navigate pre-determined routes
  • TLILIC0024Licence to operate a vehicle loading crane (capacity 10 metre tonnes and above)
training.gov.au national register, FWP30122 release 2
Same training package

What skill sets come from the FWP training package?

Plantation Forest Operator Skill Set
FWPSS00050 · skill set guide
Where to study

Where can I study FWP30122?

No Get Course partner currently lists this qualification. Check the national register for organisations approved to deliver it, and remember that approval to deliver is a regulatory fact, not a recommendation. You can browse live courses from our partners and enquire today.

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How we calculate these figures

Get Course maps FWP30122 to its occupations using the register’s own outcome wording, shown with ANZSCO codes (here, 8431) so the mapping can be checked. Job advertisement counts come from the Jobs and Skills Australia Internet Vacancy Index and count online ads, not vacancies filled. Enrolment counts come from NCVER Total VET Activity and count people in training, not completions. Funding rows appear only after verification against the official state program list. Source vintages: Occupation Shortage List 2025 assessment; NCVER Total VET Activity 2025 collection; register training.gov.au, synced 17 September 2026; register synced 18 Sept 2026. Page last updated 19 Sept 2026.

About this page. Every number on this page shows its source and date. Register data synced 18 Sept 2026 from training.gov.au. Compiled by Get Course from public data sources. It is not provided or endorsed by any training organisation, and nothing here is advice about your individual situation. Statistics describe groups; your result depends on you. If you represent a training organisation and want to correct or add to this page, contact hello@getcourse.com.au.