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Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators

Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators operate machines to manufacture paper packaging and other paper products, fibreboard stock, logs, plywood, particle board, solid laminate and similar timber products.

ManufacturingANZSCO 7113
$1,451/wkMedian full-time pay
5,056People employed
1%Growth to 2035
76%Work full time
45Median age
Source: ABS · JSA, 2025-26ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Labour Force via Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), February 2026; ABS Employee Earnings and Hours May 2025; JSA Employment Projections, May 2025 base. ANZSCO 7113.More about our sources: How we check our facts

What they do

The main tasks of this occupation, from the national occupation standard.

setting up printing plates, ink circulation systems, knives, creases, cutting dies, and folding and gluing machinesloading machines with paper and fibreboardoperating machines to form cardboard containers, paper plates, egg cartons, tissue paper and other paper productsadjusting and cleaning machines and performing minor repairssecuring timber into place and setting saws to produce specified sizes of plank and board to be cutstarting machines and feeding stock onto cutting saw, and operating automatic feed mechanisms
Source: JSA occupation profileTask list from the Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile for ANZSCO 7113 (ANZSCO task statements).More about our sources: How we check our facts

The outlook

A steady field: around 6,202 jobs in paper and wood processing machine operators through 2035

The field shrank 10.3% in the year to February 2026, losing about 600 workers. Most of the jobs are in VIC and NSW, with QLD third.

Source: JSA · ABS, 2025-26ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Labour Force via Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), February 2026; ABS Employee Earnings and Hours May 2025; JSA Employment Projections, May 2025 base. ANZSCO 7113.More about our sources: How we check our facts
6.2k2025
6.1k2030 PROJ.
6.2k2035 PROJ.

Getting in

There is no single way in. 28% trained through VET, 5% hold a degree.

Both paths are common in this field. These are the nationally recognised courses mapped to this occupation, with the number of registered training providers that offer each one.

Source: JSA · training.gov.auEducation split: JSA (Jobs and Skills Australia) occupation profile, using ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Census data, ANZSCO 7113. Qualification mapping and provider counts: training.gov.au, the national register of vocational education, October 2026. Listed providers are current registered training providers (private providers and TAFE institutes).More about our sources: How we check our facts

Nationally recognised training · most offered first

FWP30322Certificate III

Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations

Forest and Wood Products Training Package.

See 1 provider
FWP40222Certificate IV

Certificate IV in Timber and Wood Products Operations

Forest and Wood Products Training Package.

See 0 providers

Providers are shown in A-Z order on each course page. A listing is not a recommendation.

Jobs open right now

5,056 Australians do this work. See who is hiring this month.

Search job ads by state

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Source: ABS · JSA, 2025-26State chart shows people employed, not current job ads. ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Labour Force via Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), February 2026; ABS Employee Earnings and Hours May 2025; JSA Employment Projections, May 2025 base. ANZSCO 7113.More about our sources: How we check our facts

People employed by state, 2025-26

VIC1.5k
NSW1.4k
QLD1.3k
SA1k
WA0.7k
TAS0.3k
ACT0.1k
NT0.1k