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Forest and Wood Products FWP

Overview

Commencements

Availability & Duration

Australian School-based Apprenticeships

Overview

These qualifications cover forest operations, including silviculture, forest nursery, timber harvesting, haulage, saw milling, timber building products supply, timber truss and frame design and manufacture, wood machining and saw doctoring.

Associated Industries

Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management, Animal Care and Management, and Racing and Breeding are associated industries.

Quick facts

The training units of competent structure and packing rules are detailed in Training Package documents.

The information provided here includes the most recent changes from the FWP (release 8.1) Training Package.

The Forest and Wood Products FWP (release 8.1) Training Package contains 13 qualifications and 38 skill sets.

Registered Training Organisations can access the full details of this Training Package from the training.gov.au website.

Career information

Qualification and job outcome information is also presented in a Job Pathways Chart.

For specific industry information click here.

More detail of how training works can be accessed here: for employers; for potential employees.

Use the My Skills site to search for Registered Training Organisations registered to deliver courses. Each State and Territory separately approves Registered Training Organisations to deliver apprenticeships and traineeships in their jurisdiction.

Qualifications Summary

FWP20116 - Certificate II in Forest Growing and Management

This qualification has seven employment pathways for typical operational environments of forest growing and management. These are: Arboriculture Worker, Farm Forestry Worker, Forestry Worker, Nursery Worker, Plantation Establishment Worker, Plantation Forest Officer and Silviculturalist.

FWP20121 - Certificate II in Forest Operations

This qualification reflects the job of people who provide support to forest operations in a variety of forestry contexts. It is also designed for learners involved in school-based VET traineeships and other VET in school programs.

FWP20122 - Certificate II in Forest Operations

This qualification reflects the job of people who provide support to forest operations in a variety of forestry contexts. It is also suitable for learners involved in school-based VET traineeships and other VET in school programs.

FWP20316 - Certificate II in Sawmilling and Processing

This qualification is designed for job roles in the sawmilling and processing sector such as Kiln Worker, Timber Grader, Treatment Plant Worker, Production Worker and Sawmill Worker.

FWP20322 - Certificate II in Timber and Wood Products Operations

This qualification reflects the jobs of people who support production processes in timber and wood product production facilities. It is suitable for learners involved in school-based VET traineeships and other VET in school programs focused on the production of timber and wood products.

FWP20516 - Certificate II in Timber Manufactured Products

Appropriate for the following roles in the timber manufactured products sector: Grader, Manufacturing Assistant (Timber Products), Saw Operator, Timber Manufacturing Worker, Timber Products Worker and Timber Puller.

FWP30121 - Certificate III in Forest Operations

This qualification describes the job of people who operate at a production level in a forest operation. Individuals with this qualification apply specialised skills and knowledge relevant to operational roles in forest operations. This includes applying knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and protecting the environment, including the areas of cultural significance.

FWP30122 - Certificate III in Forest Operations

This qualification describes the job of people who operate at a production level in a forest operation. Individuals with this qualification apply specialised skills and knowledge relevant to operational roles in forest operations.

FWP30216 - Certificate III in Harvesting and Haulage

Suitable for a range of  roles in the harvesting and haulage sector such as: Bulldozer Operator, Excavator Operator, Feller Buncher Operator, Forest Harvester, Forwarder Operator, Harvesting Technician, In-field Chipper Operator, Loader Operator, Log truck driver, Mobile Equipment Operator and Skidder Operator.

FWP30316 - Certificate III in Sawmilling and Processing

This qualification is designed for job roles in the sawmilling and processing sector such as Benchman, Chipper Operator, Head Rig Operator, Kiln Operator, Machine Operator (e.g. Finger Jointing, Moulding, Planing), Production Technician, Sawmilling Technician, Sawyer, Timber Grader, Timber Products Technician and Treatment Plant Operator.

FWP30322 - Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations

This qualification describes the skills and knowledge required by people who work in production level jobs in timber or wood product production facilities. Individuals with this qualification apply specialised skills and knowledge to perform a variety of production roles.

FWP30516 - Certificate III in Timber Manufactured Products

This qualification is designed for the following job roles in the timber manufactured products sector:  Press Operator, Jig Setter, Machine Operator (e.g. Finger Jointing, Moulding, Planing), Saw Operator and Timber Manufactured Products Technician.

FWP30620 - Certificate III in Timber Building Products Supply

This qualification reflects the role of people who undertake activities related to timber warehousing, transport and distribution and customer sales in the timber wholesales, hardware and timber supply and/or timber manufacturing sectors.

FWP30621 - Certificate III in Timber Building Products Supply

This qualification reflects the role of people who undertake activities related to timber warehousing, transport and distribution and customer sales in the timber wholesales, hardware and timber supply and/or timber manufacturing sectors.

FWP30622 - Certificate III in Timber Building Products Supply

This qualification reflects the role of people who undertake activities related to timber warehousing, transport and distribution and customer sales in the timber wholesale, hardware and timber supply and/or timber manufacturing sectors.

FWP30920 - Certificate III in Timber Frame or Truss Manufacture

This qualification reflects the role of fabricators or manufacturers of timber wall frames or roof and or floor trusses in the timber truss and frame industry. In these roles they are required to communicate and work in teams within the fabrication workplace and safely use specialist equipment to cut timber and assemble wall frames and/or floor or roof trusses.

FWP31021 - Certificate III in Saw Technology

This qualification reflects the job role of Saw Technicians who service, maintain and align saw blades, knives and guides for timber sawmilling machines and other applications. Saw Technicians may also inspect, test, maintain and troubleshoot mechanical components on sawing machine centres to achieve sawing production rates and product tolerances.

FWP31121 - Certificate III in Wood Machining

This qualification reflects the job role of Wood Machinists who work in a sawmill or other timber processing environment and set up, operate and maintain machines such as large automated planers/moulders and saws to cut, plane and profile timber to specifications.

FWP31220 - Certificate III in Timber Systems Design

This qualification reflects the role of people who work as timber systems designers or estimators in the timber truss and frame industry. In these roles they are required to create drawings and produce estimates of material quantities and costs for timber frames or trusses from architectural plans and drawings and communicate effectively with customers and colleagues.

FWP40121 - Certificate IV in Forest Operations

This qualification reflects the job of people who work as managers or crew leaders in forestry contractor businesses. Individuals with this qualification apply a broad range of specialised skills and knowledge in forest operations management. This includes establishing operational plans for forestry operations and supervising teams involved in implementing operational plans in line with the requirements of a forest management organisation.

FWP40216 - Certificate IV in Timber Processing

This qualification is designed for job roles in the timber processing and production sector such as Customer Service Manager (Wholesale), Sawmill Supervisor, Production Supervisor, Treatment Plant Supervisor, Timber Advisor Supervisor, Timber Manufacturing Supervisor and Timber Supervisor (Wholesale).

FWP40222 - Certificate IV in Timber and Wood Products Operations

This qualification reflects the skills and knowledge of people who work as production supervisors and technicians in a timber or wood products production facility. Individuals with this qualification apply a broad range of advanced technical and supervisory skills.

FWP40420 - Certificate IV in Timber Systems Design

This qualification reflects the role of people who work as timber systems designers, estimators or detailers in the timber truss and frame industry. In these roles they are required to read architectural plans to calculate material quantities and costs, and produce building code compliant timber system wall and/or truss fabrication plans and documents.

FWP50116 - Diploma of Forest and Forest Products

This qualification is designed for managment roles in the forest and forest products industry.

FWP50121 - Diploma of Forest Operations

This qualification reflects the job of early-career foresters and forestry field officers with specialist roles in forest operations management and forest resource management. Individuals with this qualification apply a broad range of advanced technical and management skills and forest knowledge to inform and contribute to forest management plans and manage forestry operations.

Note: Employers should be aware that this information is provided as a guide only to the content and use of the Training Package. Employers should seek advice from an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (Apprenticeship Network) provider or Registered Training Organisation for more detail.

Commencements
  NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT
FWP20121 - Certificate II in Forest Operations
Annual Commencements 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0
FWP20516 - Certificate II in Timber Manufactured Products
Annual Commencements 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0
FWP30121 - Certificate III in Forest Operations
Annual Commencements 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0
FWP30122 - Certificate III in Forest Operations
Annual Commencements 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0
FWP30216 - Certificate III in Harvesting and Haulage
Annual Commencements 0 0 0 10 0 15 0 0
FWP30316 - Certificate III in Sawmilling and Processing
Annual Commencements 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0
FWP30621 - Certificate III in Timber Building Products Supply
Annual Commencements 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0
FWP30622 - Certificate III in Timber Building Products Supply
Annual Commencements 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FWP30920 - Certificate III in Timber Frame or Truss Manufacture
Annual Commencements 5 0 5 0 0 0 0 0
FWP31021 - Certificate III in Saw Technology
Annual Commencements 0 5 5 0 5 0 0 0
FWP31121 - Certificate III in Wood Machining
Annual Commencements 0 15 5 0 0 0 0 0
FWP31220 - Certificate III in Timber Systems Design
Annual Commencements 0 0 5 0 5 0 0 0
FWP40216 - Certificate IV in Timber Processing
Annual Commencements 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0

Commencement data source: National Apprentices and Trainees collection, VOCSTATS, extracted 18/10/2023, rounded estimates for April 2022 to March 2023. Qualifications with no recorded commencements may not appear. This data is for general information purposes only.

Availability and Duration
  NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT
FWP20116 - Certificate II in Forest Growing and Management
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

18 mths
Part Time
Classification T *
FWP20121 - Certificate II in Forest Operations
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

12 mths
Part Time
Classification T *
FWP20122 - Certificate II in Forest Operations
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

12 mths 12 mths 12 mths
Part Time
Classification T T *
FWP20316 - Certificate II in Sawmilling and Processing
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

12 mths
Part Time
Classification T *
FWP20322 - Certificate II in Timber and Wood Products Operations
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

12 mths 12 mths 12 mths 12 mths 12 mths
Part Time
Classification T T T * T
FWP20516 - Certificate II in Timber Manufactured Products
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

12 mths
Part Time
Classification T *
FWP30121 - Certificate III in Forest Operations
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

24 mths 24 mths
Part Time
Classification T T *
FWP30122 - Certificate III in Forest Operations
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

24 mths 24 mths 24 mths 24 mths
Part Time
Classification T T T *
FWP30216 - Certificate III in Harvesting and Haulage
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

24 mths
Part Time
Classification * T
FWP30316 - Certificate III in Sawmilling and Processing
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

24 mths 24 mths
Part Time
Classification T T *
FWP30322 - Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

24 mths 12 mths 24 mths 24 mths 24 mths
Part Time
Classification T T T * T
FWP30516 - Certificate III in Timber Manufactured Products
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

24 mths 24 mths
Part Time
Classification T T *
FWP30620 - Certificate III in Timber Building Products Supply
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

24 mths
Part Time
Classification T *
FWP30621 - Certificate III in Timber Building Products Supply
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

24 mths
Part Time
Classification T *
FWP30622 - Certificate III in Timber Building Products Supply
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

24 mths 24 mths 24 mths 24 mths 24 mths
Part Time
Classification T T T * T
FWP30920 - Certificate III in Timber Frame or Truss Manufacture
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

24 mths 24 mths 24 mths 24 mths 24 mths
Part Time
Classification T T T T *
FWP31021 - Certificate III in Saw Technology
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

48 mths 36 mths 36 mths 36 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths
Part Time
Classification A A A A A * A
FWP31121 - Certificate III in Wood Machining
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

48 mths 36 mths 36 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths
Part Time
Classification A A A A * A
FWP31220 - Certificate III in Timber Systems Design
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

24 mths 24 mths 24 mths 24 mths
Part Time
Classification T T T T *
FWP40121 - Certificate IV in Forest Operations
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

36 mths 30 mths 36 mths 36 mths
Part Time
Classification T T T *
FWP40216 - Certificate IV in Timber Processing
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

36 mths 36 mths
Part Time
Classification T T *
FWP40222 - Certificate IV in Timber and Wood Products Operations
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

36 mths 24 mths 36 mths 36 mths 36 mths
Part Time
Classification T T T * T
FWP40420 - Certificate IV in Timber Systems Design
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

36 mths 36 mths 48 mths 24 mths 36 mths
Part Time
Classification T T T T *
FWP50116 - Diploma of Forest and Forest Products
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

48 mths
Part Time
Classification *
FWP50121 - Diploma of Forest Operations
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

36 mths 48 mths
Part Time
Classification T T *

Legend: = Yes, = No, A = identified by the State or Territory as an Apprenticeship, T = identified by the State or Territory as a Traineeship, * = An approved qualification in Tasmania is available as an Apprenticeship/Traineeship.

Availability of Australian Apprenticeships and Nominal Duration (in months)
A Qualification registered by a State or Territory as available as an Australian Apprenticeship may not be eligible for public funding support, check with the relevant State or Territory Training Authority.

Nominal durations listed are for full time occuptations, stated in months. In some cases nominal durations provided may not include the completion of pre-requisites. This data is sourced from State and Territory Training Authorities and is provided for information only and must be confirmed with these authorities.

Australian School-based Apprenticeships
  NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT
FWP20116 - Certificate II in Forest Growing and Management
Availability
FWP20121 - Certificate II in Forest Operations
Availability
FWP20122 - Certificate II in Forest Operations
Availability
FWP20316 - Certificate II in Sawmilling and Processing
Availability
FWP20322 - Certificate II in Timber and Wood Products Operations
Availability
FWP20516 - Certificate II in Timber Manufactured Products
Availability
FWP30121 - Certificate III in Forest Operations
Availability
FWP30122 - Certificate III in Forest Operations
Availability
FWP30316 - Certificate III in Sawmilling and Processing
Availability
FWP30322 - Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations
Availability
FWP30516 - Certificate III in Timber Manufactured Products
Availability
FWP30620 - Certificate III in Timber Building Products Supply
Availability
FWP30621 - Certificate III in Timber Building Products Supply
Availability
FWP30622 - Certificate III in Timber Building Products Supply
Availability
FWP30920 - Certificate III in Timber Frame or Truss Manufacture
Availability
FWP31021 - Certificate III in Saw Technology
Availability
FWP31121 - Certificate III in Wood Machining
Availability
FWP31220 - Certificate III in Timber Systems Design
Availability
FWP40121 - Certificate IV in Forest Operations
Availability
FWP40216 - Certificate IV in Timber Processing
Availability
FWP40222 - Certificate IV in Timber and Wood Products Operations
Availability
FWP40420 - Certificate IV in Timber Systems Design
Availability
FWP50121 - Diploma of Forest Operations
Availability

Legend: = Yes, = No

This information generally reflects availability of ASbAs that may contribute to study scores. In some cases ASbAs allow an individual to start training in a qualification that can be completed after they leave secondary school. Australian Apprenticeships may also be undertaken as part-time employment. Please note that applicable industrial arrangements must allow for ASbAs. Visit the relevant State or Territory website for more detailed information (click on the State or Territory link provided).