Forester (Aus) \ Forest Scientist (NZ)

Specialisations within it

• Forestry Adviser
• Forestry Consultant

Duties

Published for unit group 2341 Agricultural and Forestry Scientists

• collecting and analysing data and samples of produce, feed, soil and other factors affecting production
• advising Farmers and Farm Managers on techniques for improving the production of crops and livestock, and alternative agricultural options
• advising farmers on issues such as livestock and crop disease, control of pests and weeds, soil improvement, animal husbandry and feeding programs
• studying the environmental factors affecting commercial crop production, pasture growth, animal breeding, and the growth and health of forest trees
• studying the effects of cultivation techniques, soils, insects and plant diseases on animal, crop and forest production
• developing procedures and techniques for solving agricultural problems and improving the efficiency of production
• managing forest resources to maximise their long-term commercial, recreational and environmental benefits for the community
• studying the propagation and culture of forest trees, methods for improving the growth of stock, and the effects of thinning on forest yields
• preparing plans for reafforestation and devising efficient harvesting systems
• investigating, planning and implementing management procedures to cope with the effects of fires, floods, droughts, soil erosion, insect pests and diseases

This is what the occupation is, not what a skills assessment requires. The assessing body applies its own criteria on top of this, and those criteria are not published here. Check them with the body itself.

Who assesses this occupation

Last confirmed against the department's list on 30 July 2026.

This occupation reads differently for the 186 and 482

Two editions of ANZSCO are current at once, and the department applies ANZSCO 2022 to the employer sponsored visas while everything above follows ANZSCO 2013.

The definition is identical in both editions, but the published duties are not:

• collecting and analysing data and samples of produce, feed, soil, water quality and other factors affecting stock and production
• advising Farmers and Farm Managers on techniques for improving production, and alternative options
• advising farmers on issues such as livestock and crop disease, control of pests and weeds, soil improvement, animal husbandry and nutrition and feeding programs
• studying environmental and other factors affecting commercial crop production, pasture growth, animal breeding, fisheries, and forests and forest trees
• studying the effects of cultivation techniques, soils, insects and diseases on production
• developing procedures and techniques for solving problems and improving the efficiency of production
• managing forest and aquatic resources to maximise their long-term commercial, recreational and environmental benefits for the community
• studying the propagation and culture of forest trees, methods for improving the growth of stock and the effects of thinning on forest yields
• preparing plans for reafforestation and devising efficient harvesting systems
• investigating, planning and implementing management procedures to cope with the effects of fires, floods, droughts, soil erosion, insect pests and diseases

If you are going for a 186 or a 482, this is the wording that governs you. Everything above governs the points tested routes.

Where this comes from

Definition and duties: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO
Assessing authorities and skilled lists: Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation list

Vizard is not a registered migration agent and nothing here is migration advice. It is published government information, organised. For advice on your own situation, speak to a registered migration agent.