Australia’s forestry industry has taken a significant step toward securing its future workforce through the launch of the country’s first Graduate Certificate in Forestry – a collaborative initiative bridging universities, industry, and government.
With no undergraduate degree currently offered in forestry across the country, five universities – University of Tasmania, Australian National University, University of South Australia, University of the Sunshine Coast, and the University of Melbourne – have united to deliver a comprehensive post-graduate program. The result is a unique national solution to a nationwide skills gap in forest management and processing.
In May, students from across the country gathered at the University of South Australia’s Mount Gambier campus for the residential component of the Plantation Management unit – the first of its kind in Australia. The program blends classroom theory with on-the-ground learning in sustainable forest management and timber processing.
“As Mount Gambier continues to emerge as the nation’s leading hub for softwood plantations and innovation, it is incredibly fitting for this program to be hosted here,” said Nathan Paine, CEO of the South Australian Forest Products Association (SAFPA). “It’s helping to educate the next generation of foresters, and that’s vital for the industry’s future.”
The program has been made possible through a $300,000 investment from the Albanese Government’s Forestry Workforce Training Program, alongside a significant $1.6 million contribution over five years from forestry companies to underwrite student places and ensure program delivery.
“This collaboration is a testament to the industry’s commitment to workforce development and the value placed on ongoing education and training,” Mr Paine added.
Coordinated by the University of Tasmania, the Graduate Certificate in Forestry exemplifies the power of partnership – where universities, government, and forestry companies align to future proof the sector.
The program also reflects broader industry efforts to innovate and evolve. SAFPA is currently working with the South Australian Government to deliver projects such as the nation’s largest AI-powered fire detection network, a new Forestry Centre of Excellence, and investment in a cutting-edge Tree Breeding Australia R&D facility.
The Gippsland Forestry Hub welcomes this bold and strategic step forward for the national forestry industry. Programs like these are vital in ensuring regional areas such as Gippsland have access to skilled, knowledgeable professionals ready to meet the environmental and economic challenges of tomorrow.