Course Overview
Course Dates
Ready to elevate your expertise in commercial timber harvesting? If you're a forestry contractor or operator with foundational chainsaw skills, ready to tackle intermediate to advanced tree felling in high-stakes environments, this intensive short course is your pathway to certification and enhanced opportunities in the Australian forestry industry.
Delivered over 4 days (Monday–Thursday, 8:30am–4:30pm) at TAFE Gippsland's Forestec Campus and surrounding bushlands, this hands-on program emphasises safe, compliant harvesting techniques. You'll learn to assess harvest sites, plan and execute precise felling operations with chainsaws and mechanical aids like winches, cables, and machinery—all aligned with industry best practices, the Safe and Skilled Program (endorsed by the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) and Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA)), environmental protections, and health & safety regulations.
Through blended learning—combining classroom theory and real-world practical sessions in the bush—you'll be assessed against one of three nationally recognised units tailored to your experience, industry hours, and job-related outcomes:
FWPHAR3205 Harvest Trees Manually (Intermediate): Develop skills to assess harvest sites and trees, then safely fell them using a chainsaw in commercial operations. Covers trees with moderate complexity, such as those with lean/weight distribution adaptable via wedges or hinge-wood, limited visible damage/defects, multi-stems, various leans, small/medium diameters, dead trees with minimal issues, and site conditions adding complexity to operator positioning or fall direction.
FWPHAR3209 Harvest Trees Manually (Advanced): Considered mandatory for commercial roles; master advanced assessment and felling for trees of any size, species, or condition with significant defects, including complex lean/weight distribution, large diameters, heavy forward/side leans, lightning/fire damage, hung-up trees, multi-legged/hollow butts, species prone to splitting, complex multi-stems, and challenging terrain/slopes/environments.
FWPHAR3235 Conduct Mechanically Assisted Tree Falling Operations: Gain expertise in using machinery, winches, and cables to push/pull trees away from their natural fall direction, applicable to forestry operators in mechanically assisted scenarios.
These stackable "Micro Credentials" can stand alone or build toward broader qualifications in forest operations, harvesting and haulage, and related fields. Gain transferable skills that align with your current job role, meet regulatory requirements, and boost your professional edge in a dynamic sector.
General enquiries and expressions of interest are taken for course intakes, with group bookings available on request. Enrol today to meet Safe and Skilled requirements and thrive in Australia's forestry sector—contact TAFE Gippsland for details!
Qualifications and Recognition
Upon completion of this course, students will be issued with a Statement of Attainment.Career Opportunities
Commercial Operations - Timber Harvesting and Haulage:
Intermediate Level
Completion at an intermediate level can lead to operational roles like intermediate harvester or feller buncher assistant, with limited supervision. Outcomes involve positions in timber harvesting teams, ensuring efficient manual felling in moderate conditions, contributing to haulage operations.
Advanced Level
Completion at an advanced level may suit supervisory roles such as advanced harvester or site lead in complex harvesting, overseeing teams in challenging environments. Employment includes senior positions in forestry contractors, managing high-risk felling for timber production.
Mechanically Assisted Level
This prepares for specialised roles like mechanical feller operator or equipment specialist. Outcomes include jobs in mechanised harvesting, using heavy machinery for safe, efficient tree falling in haulage-integrated operations.
Opportunities for Further Study
Upon completing any of the Tree Felling units, students can pathway into nationally recognised qualifications in the forestry and related industries. Units from both streams contribute to the following qualifications:
- FWP20122 Certificate II in Forest Operations
- FWP30122 Certificate III in Forest Operations
- FWP40121 Certificate IV in Forest Operations
- AHC30824 Certificate III in Arboriculture
- AHC31024 Certificate III in Parks and Gardens
Course Dates
Further Information
Course and Entry Requirements
Mandatory entry requirements:
This course involves operating a chainsaw (typically weighing 4-7 kg), felling trees, trimming branches, cutting tree sections, moving or stabilising felled trees, clearing debris, and working in varied outdoor environments and bush settings, which can require bending, lifting, standing for extended periods, and manual dexterity. Students/workers must have the physical capacity to complete these practical components of the course.
Students must be able to speak clear English, and be able to demonstrate basic reading and writing skills to recognise workplace health and safety signs and complete basic prestart checklists, logs or reports if required.
Traineeships/Pre Apprenticeships:
Parental consent is required for students aged between 16 and 18 years of age. Students must have the physical capability to handle the tool safely (e.g., strength for a 4-7kg chainsaw, dexterity), as assessed by the trainer and assessor. The student must also have been deemed eligible to undertake the course, perform activities under strict supervision and comply with all PPE requirement's at all times.
Recommended entry requirements:
It is recommended that participants have completed FWPCOT2254 Maintain Chainsaws, FWPCOT2273 Trim and cut felled trees or FWPHAR2209 Trim and cut Harvested trees or be able to demonstrate equivalent skills. Please discuss your experience with the Timber Training Manager (Kevin Nunn) when you make your enquiry.Limitations to entry
- Intermediate and advanced falling demands high level of industry experience and extensive knowledge in the operation of chainsaws and tree falling techniques. Evidence will be required to support this when applying for intermediate/advanced levels.
- Trainers/assessors may advise against participation if you have conditions affecting mobility, strength, or endurance.
Pre-requisites
Online requirement
Not Applicable
Fees
Course Cost
$1,960Materials Fees
Not Applicable
Specialist Course Information
N/A
Placement
Not ApplicablePathway to Industry Licence
Material and Equipment supplied by students
Not Applicable
Student Services
Support is available for students at every stage of the study journey. Please speak to any of our friendly reception or teaching staff.Recognition of Prior Learning
Many TAFE Gippsland courses offer Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Click to learn more about RPL and how it can benefit you.Course Structure
Course Modules
- FWPHAR3205 Harvest trees manually (intermediate)
- FWPHAR3209 Harvest trees manually (advanced)
- FWPHAR3235 Conduct mechanically assisted tree falling operations
Based on an individual's assessed knowledge and skills, determined through consultation with the Trainer/Assessor, students are placed in a competency level and associated unit that aligns with their current abilities and developmental requirements. The following guidelines help with this determination: For Basic level competency standards: Maximum tree diameter of 50cm Single stem with no excessive lean, visible damage, or defects Species and growth conditions not prone to splitting or twisting during felling Terrain and slope that do not introduce significant complexity For Intermediate level competency standards: Maximum tree diameter of 80cm Single or multi stem with limited visible damage or defect Lean and weight distribution adaptable with wedges Terrain and slope that may introduce complexity For Advanced level competency standards: Tree diameter greater than 80cm (with no upper limit specified) Substantial lean Visible damage or defects necessitating complex felling techniques Species prone to splitting and adverse reactions during felling Terrain and slope introducing significant complexity Mechanically Assisted Tree Falling Operations These guidelines aid in determining the appropriate level of competency based on the individual's skills and needs.
Assessment
Assessment is competency based. A range of assessment methods will be used, including practical tasks, practical experience, practical demonstrations and written/practical assessments.