This report provides a generic overview to the business of private native forestry in Australia. It is supported by a suite of more specific documents that address each types of forest management as well as providing detail on topics of particular interest. The document is part of a series of four guidance reports that cover topics related to small-scale farm forestry, private native forestry, and Indigenous managed forest lands. Learn more about the other reports and documents via this link.
This report is intended to inform people and organisations interested in developing private native forestry as an enterprise. It aims to provide sufficient detail to assist individuals and businesses to make well-considered decisions about forestry as a serious and viable land-use option that can provide commercial, social and
environmental outcomes. This is one of several Guidance Materials publications prepared as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to delivering the National Forest Industries Plan.
Native forest is a forest category within the National Forest Inventory (NFI) that comprises natural forest types dominated by native tree species within their normal range at a specific location. Native forest does not include commercial plantations (even if they are of native species) or other forest categories used in the NFI.
Private native forest is broadly defined as natural forest or woodland that grows on privately owned land. The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority
defines private native forestry as the management of native vegetation on private property for sustainable logging and timber production.
Privately owned native forests occur across Australia. However, their management for commercial timber production is heavily concentrated in specific regions. Queensland, northern New South Wales and Tasmania currently account for the majority of timber production from private native forests.
