Machine Operator / Forestry Operator (AIP Group)

Active Tree Services; South Australia; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent full-time roles

Living Away From Home Allowance (LAHA)

FIFO/DIDO with 2:1 or 3:1 rosters

Penalty rates

Job summary

AIP Group is seeking skilled vegetation operators to join the Major Projects Division across NSW/SA. You’ll operate forestry machinery, assist arborists, and contribute to high-volume clearing programs on remote sites with strict safety and environmental controls.

Permanent full-time roles with LAHA and FIFO/DIDO rosters are available, offering competitive pay and clear pathways into advanced specialist roles within a family‑oriented national company.

Qualifications

• Experience in vegetation/forestry environments
• Ability to work in remote, rugged terrain
• Strong environmental compliance awareness

Responsibilities

• Operate forestry and vegetation machinery (harvesters, mulchers, feller bunchers, excavators with forestry heads)
• Support hand fellers, arborists and ground crews to clear vegetation safely
• Work on linear infrastructure projects and remote sites
• Complete JSAs and follow environmental and safety controls
• Maintain equipment and report hazards or defects
• Contribute to high volume clearing programs with teamwork

Skills

Vegetation/forestry experience

Hazard awareness

Team player

Provide guidance to less experienced

Tools

HC licence

Excavator RIIMPO0320

Loader RIIMPO0321

White Card

Job description

AIP Group is a national leader in infrastructure and vegetation management, delivering complex projects that shape communities and protect the environment.

Step into a role that’s nothing like mining or civil earthmoving — this is true specialist vegetation operations, supporting large scale land clearing, corridor maintenance and complex forestry style projects across some of Australia’s most unique and untouched environments. If you’ve built your skills in forestry harvesting, land clearing, disaster cleanup, utility corridor vegetation work, or working alongside arborists and hand fellers, this is where your experience can truly shine!

We’re expanding our Major Projects Division and looking for multiple skilled Operators to join us, with major project activity underway across NSW/SA over the next 12 months. This is a chance to work on high impact vegetation projects, grow your career, and be part of a team that values capability, attitude, and real-world experience.

What you’ll be doing

• Operating forestry and vegetation machinery such as: tracked and wheeled harvesters, mulchers/slashers, feller bunchers, excavators with forestry heads/grab attachments, or wheeled mulchers.
• Supporting hand fellers, arborists and ground crews to safely clear and process vegetation
• Working on linear infrastructure projects, utility corridors and remote access sites
• Completing JSAs and adhering to strict environmental and safety controls
• Contributing to high volume clearing programs with efficiency and teamwork
• Maintaining equipment and reporting hazards, defects and site conditions

What we’re looking for

We’re specifically seeking operators with experience in vegetation / forestry environments. You will stand out if you have:

• Experience on large land‑clearing, forestry, storm cleanup or vegetation projects
• Exposure to working around arborists, climbers, hand‑fellers or vegetation crews
• Experience with fixed forestry heads, mulching attachments, grapple saws or wheeled mulchers
• Strong hazard awareness near chainsaw operators
• Ability to work in remote, rugged or steep terrain
• Strong awareness of environmental compliance
• Strong team player with the ability to work collaboratively in a large crew environment
• Ability to provide professional guidance and support to less experienced operators, where required.
• Proactive and solutions-focused, with the ability to identify challenges and contribute practical solutions.

Licences/tickets:

• Driver’s licence
• White Card
• First Aid/CPR
• HC licence (advantageous)
• Excavator ticket – RIIMPO0320
• Loader ticket – RIIMPO0321
• Experience transporting large plant (float) highly desirable

Why join AIP Group?

• Permanent full-time roleswith ongoing project flow
• Competitive paybased on your skills and experience
• Time and a half- & double-timepenalty rates
• Living Away From Home Allowance(LAHA)
• FIFO/DIDOwith either a 2:1 or 3:1 roster with Sundays off.
• Exposure to major vegetationprojects nationwide
• Clear pathwaysinto Specialist Operator roles and more
• Strong safety culture— we get you home safe
• National company with afamily-driven approach

Who is AIP Group?

As a family-owned and Australian-operated business, we’re committed to keeping our environment safe and green—servicing major cities, governments, and utility companies nationwide. At AIP Group, we bring this legacy into the civil construction and infrastructure space, working closely with Infrastructure Utility Owners and Construction Companies to solve critical vegetation challenges.

Our success is built on a collaborative, can-do culture, backed by experienced personnel, innovative technology, and fit-for-purpose equipment. We’re not just about the work—we’re about the people. Our teams are the heart of everything we do. We value flexibility, adaptability, and a positive attitude, and we’re always looking for individuals who share our passion for making a difference. Visit our website to learn more about our people, customers, and communities in which we work.

https://aipgroup.com.au/