Forester

A forester manages forest resources and ecosystems across public or private land, balancing timber production, conservation, and biodiversity outcomes. They conduct forest surveys, plan harvesting operations, monitor tree health and forest regeneration, and ensure compliance with state forestry legislation and sustainable management practices. Foresters work in outdoor field settings and offices, applying ecological science and land management principles to support long-term forest viability.

Conduct forest inventory surveys using GPS, GIS mapping software, and field measurements to assess timber volume, species composition, and stand density across designated compartments. Design harvest plans and rotation schedules that align with sustainable yield objectives, environmental protection requirements, and state forestry codes of practice. Monitor forest health by identifying disease, pest infestations, and fire risk using field observation and diagnostic tools, and recommend treatment or prevention strategies. Plan and supervise reforestation and regeneration activities including site preparation, species selection, and establishment monitoring to meet replanting obligations. Prepare environmental impact assessments and forest management plans that comply with state Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) guidelines and Australian Forestry Standards. Liaise with land owners, logging contractors, and conservation stakeholders to communicate management objectives, negotiate access agreements, and resolve land-use conflicts. Analyse forest growth data, yield models, and ecological indicators using forestry software to forecast productivity and inform long-term management strategy. Inspect harvesting sites and timber mill operations to ensure compliance with approved harvest plans, worker safety standards, and environmental protection controls.

The standard entry pathway requires a bachelor degree or higher (ABS Skill Level 1). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

You'll need a forestry degree or equivalent, which takes time and money to get. The work is physically demanding: lots of time in rough terrain in all weather. Pay growth tops out relatively early, especially in government roles. You're also caught between competing pressures: keeping timber production viable while managing conservation demands, which creates ongoing conflict with different stakeholders.

Practically speaking, you need to be willing to work in regional areas: there's almost no remote work in this field. Government forestry agencies (state departments) employ the steadiest workforce, while private forestry companies offer seasonal variability.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2341, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Attention to Detailcore
• Data Entry and Accuracycore
• Goal Setting and Planningcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Record Managementcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Research and Analysiscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Active Listening
• Community Development
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
• Incident Reporting
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency
• Negotiation
• Process Improvement Identification
• Team Collaboration
• Time Management and Prioritisation

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

Last updated: 30 October 2026