Forester / Forest Scientist
A Forester or Forest Scientist manages natural and plantation forests for timber production, biodiversity conservation, and recreation. Australia has significant state forest agencies and plantation forestry enterprises.
Full-time AUD, 2025 indicative. Wide bands reflect variation by employer, experience, and location.
Moderate demand in plantation forest states (TAS, VIC, WA) and conservation agencies.
Occupation list membership
Which Department of Home Affairs skilled lists this occupation currently appears on.
- MLTSSLMedium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List
Occupations eligible for permanent visas including Subclass 189 and 190.
Assessing authority
The body that assesses skills for migration purposes for this occupation.
- VETVETASSESSVisit official site →
Visa pathways
Australian visa subclasses for which this occupation is currently eligible.
- 189Learn more →Skilled Independent visa
Permanent points-tested visa for workers not sponsored by an employer, family member, or state.
- 190Learn more →Skilled Nominated visa
Permanent visa for workers nominated by a state or territory government.
- 485Learn more →Temporary Graduate visa
Post-study work visa for recent graduates of Australian qualifications.
- 491Learn more →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
State nominations
States and territories that currently nominate this occupation for skilled migration.
| Code | State / Territory | Details |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | New South Wales | View nomination → |
| VIC | Victoria | View nomination → |
| QLD | Queensland | View nomination → |
| WA | Western Australia | View nomination → |
| SA | South Australia | View nomination → |
| TAS | Tasmania | View nomination → |
Key duties
- Manage forest stand inventory, yield modelling, and harvest scheduling
- Oversee plantation establishment, thinning, and management
- Develop and implement forest management and conservation plans
- Manage environmental approvals and community engagement for forestry activities
Skills required
- Forest science, silviculture, and yield modelling
- GIS and remote sensing for forest inventory
- Environmental legislation and forest planning
- Stakeholder engagement and community consultation
Typical qualifications pathway
Bachelor's degree in forestry or forest science. VETASSESS assesses qualifications.
Visa & occupation list information
Listed on MLTSSL, enabling subclasses 189, 190, 485, and 491 For advice on which pathway suits your circumstances, consult a registered MARA migration agent.
anzsco.com.au is information-only. For personalised advice on your situation, always consult a registered MARA migration agent.
Scan with your phone to open an AI chat about this occupation — no agent, no affiliation, just info you can trust.