Tree felling and thinning contractor
Fell, thin and process timber on farm woodlots and small plantations with your own chainsaw gear and ute.
- A$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
Contract felling, thinning and cutting to length of trees on plantations, farm forestry blocks and cleared land. You work on a small scale with chainsaws, a ute or trailer and perhaps a small tractor or winch, rather than large harvesting machines.
Your first three steps
- Get formally trained and assessed in chainsaw and tree felling, and talk to your state's forestry or safety body about what is required
- Buy or lease quality chainsaws, PPE and a ute or trailer, and arrange public liability and equipment insurance
- Introduce yourself to local farmers, plantation managers and sawmills, and offer to quote a small thinning job
Who pays
Small plantation owners, farmers with timber or shelterbelts, forestry managers who sub-contract thinning, and landowners clearing land for sale or fire safety.
How it makes money
Priced per tonne, per hectare or per day. Some contractors also keep or sell timber and firewood by agreement with the landowner.
Skills that help
- Safe, competent chainsaw and felling skills
- Good fitness and a strong safety mindset
- Quoting jobs and managing your time
Watch out for
- Felling is one of the more dangerous jobs, so training, PPE and safe work procedures are essential
- Check your state's licensing or competency requirements and any native vegetation or tree clearing rules
- Public liability, equipment and personal insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
- Contractors on large sites usually need inductions and proof of competency
- Equipment costs and breakdowns, so keep a cash buffer
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: tree felling and thinning contractor
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a tree felling business in Australia?
Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your chainsaw gear, ute or trailer, and whether you add a small tractor or winch. Equipment breakdowns happen, so it helps to keep a cash buffer.
How much can a tree felling and thinning contractor earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $18,000, depending on the work you win, the hours you put in and the size of your jobs. These are revenue estimates, before costs such as fuel, insurance and equipment repairs.
What licences and insurance do I need to fell trees in Australia?
Check your state's licensing or competency requirements and any native vegetation or tree clearing rules. Also check public liability, equipment and personal insurance, workers compensation once you hire, and whether large sites require inductions and proof of competency.
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