Hand-held chainsaw operator ticket (nationally recognised units)

Chainsaw Ticket: Cost, Length and Providers

A chainsaw ticket is a statement of attainment, and the unit sets no licensing requirement. Most providers sell AHCMOM213, which covers cross-cutting fallen timber, not felling standing trees. Across 8 providers, published prices run $350 to $750, mostly 1 to 2 days. Subsidised TAFE places in WA cost far less.

Last checked 10 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm with the regulator or provider before you book.

Key facts

Unit code: AHCMOM213
Price range: $350 to $750 (6 published prices)
Typical length: 1 day at Saferight in Perth. South West TAFE, North Regional TAFE, Central Regional TAFE and CfAT list 2 days. Charles Darwin University lists 2 to 4 days.
Expiry: AHCMOM213 sets no expiry and no licence term. We did not find a provider that states a refresher period for it. Australian Operator Training lists a separate refresher price for its chainsaw units, and an employer may set its own rule.
Providers compared: 8
Last checked: 10 October 2026

Compare chainsaw ticket providers

How much does a chainsaw ticket course cost?

Published prices run $350 to $750 across 6 of the 8 providers we compared. Each figure comes from the provider’s own course page on 10 October 2026. See every provider, sorted cheapest first.

What are the rules for chainsaw ticket?

AHCMOM213 Operate and maintain chainsaws (Release 2, current) is the unit most chainsaw ticket courses are built on. Its Application text says it covers cross-cutting fallen timber and applies to people who apply low risk work procedures when operating hand-held chainsaws for routine work. It lists no prerequisite unit and says no occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply at the time of publication.
Source: training.gov.au
FWPCOT2254 Maintain chainsaws (Release 1, current) covers routine and periodic chainsaw maintenance and chain sharpening. It has no prerequisite unit and says no licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply at the time of publication. It replaces FWPCOT2237, which training.gov.au shows as superseded.
Source: training.gov.au
FWPCOT2259 Cut materials with a hand-held chainsaw (Release 1, current) covers cutting timber and polymer materials in settings such as sawmills, timber yards, horticulture and construction. It has no prerequisite unit and says no licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply at the time of publication.
Source: training.gov.au
FWPCOT2273 Trim and cut felled trees (Release 1, current) covers trimming and cutting trees or limbs already on the ground, for arboriculture, forestry, agriculture, conservation and land management, local government and emergency services work. It has no prerequisite unit and says no licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply at the time of publication.
Source: training.gov.au
FWPCOT2275 Fell trees manually (basic) (Release 1, current) is for people who already have proficiency operating a chainsaw and need to fell basic trees. It says it does not apply to commercial harvesting operations, except for minor forest produce. It has no prerequisite unit and says no licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply at the time of publication.
Source: training.gov.au
Older chainsaw codes that still appear on some pages are superseded. training.gov.au shows FWPCOT2254 as equivalent to and replacing FWPCOT2237 (Maintain chainsaws).
Source: training.gov.au
training.gov.au shows FWPCOT2259 as equivalent to and replacing FWPCOT2238 (Cut materials with a hand-held chainsaw), which is now superseded.
Source: training.gov.au
training.gov.au shows FWPCOT2273 as equivalent to and replacing FWPCOT2256 (Trim and cut felled trees), which had itself replaced FWPCOT2239. Both older codes are superseded.
Source: training.gov.au
WorkSafe WA lists its high risk work licence classes as boom type elevating work platform, concrete placing boom, cranes, dogging, forklift, hoists, pressure equipment, rigging and scaffolding. Chainsaws and tree felling are not among them. We did not check the class lists of the other states and territories.
Source: www.worksafe.wa.gov.au
Saferight (Perth) says its one-day chainsaw course covers cross-cutting fallen timber and does not qualify participants to fell standing trees. Students receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for AHCMOM213.
Source: saferight.com.au
Central Regional TAFE says successful completion of its Goldfields chainsaw skill set (AHCMOM213) leads to a Statement of Attainment. South West TAFE says the same for its short course.
Source: www.centralregionaltafe.wa.edu.au
Australian Operator Training (Emerald, QLD) sells tree felling as separate units: FWPCOT2275 (basic) $550, FWPCOT3350 (intermediate) $750 and FWPCOT3351 (advanced) $1,000 for the full course, with lower RPL and refresher prices listed for each.
Source: aot.net.au
FWPCOT3350 Fell trees manually (intermediate) (Release 1, current) has no prerequisite unit and says no licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply at the time of publication.
Source: training.gov.au
In one mining job advert we read, Mineco's Labourer | Mining role at Hunter Valley Operations (Singleton, NSW), a chainsaw ticket is listed as desirable, not required. The same advert requires a C Class or HR driver's licence. We did not find a mining advert that makes a chainsaw ticket mandatory, but we read only a small sample.
Source: employmenthero.com

chainsaw ticket questions answered

What is the chainsaw ticket unit code?

Most providers sell AHCMOM213, Operate and maintain chainsaws (Release 2, current on training.gov.au). Others sell FWPCOT2254 Maintain chainsaws, FWPCOT2259 Cut materials with a hand-held chainsaw, FWPCOT2273 Trim and cut felled trees or FWPCOT2275 Fell trees manually (basic). Older codes such as FWPCOT2237, FWPCOT2238 and FWPCOT2239 are superseded by FWPCOT2254, FWPCOT2259 and FWPCOT2273.

How much does a chainsaw ticket cost?

Across 8 providers, published course prices run $350 to $750, as listed on each provider's own page and last checked 10 October 2026. Courses differ in length and units, and some include felling. Subsidised TAFE fees in WA are not counted in that range: Central Regional TAFE lists $56.70 general plus a $13.94 resource fee for AHCMOM213 in Kalgoorlie.

Is a chainsaw ticket a licence?

No. Providers issue a Statement of Attainment. The AHCMOM213 and FWP units each say no licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply at the time of publication, and WorkSafe WA's high risk work licence classes do not include chainsaws. We did not check the class lists of the other states. The units also say work must follow your state or territory health and safety rules.

Does the ticket let me fell trees?

Not the entry course. Saferight says its AHCMOM213 course covers cross-cutting fallen timber and does not qualify participants to fell standing trees. Felling is a separate set of units: FWPCOT2275 (basic), FWPCOT3350 (intermediate) and FWPCOT3351 (advanced). FWPCOT2275 is for people who already operate a chainsaw, and it does not apply to commercial harvesting except minor forest produce.

Do mining employers ask for a chainsaw ticket?

Rarely as a requirement, from what we saw. In the one mining advert we read, a labourer role at Hunter Valley Operations in NSW, a chainsaw ticket was listed as desirable and a C Class or HR driver's licence was required. We did not find a mining advert that made it mandatory, but we read only a small sample. It can help for land clearing and rehabilitation crew roles. Check each advert.

Can I get a chainsaw ticket near a mining region?

Some providers run it there. Central Regional TAFE lists AHCMOM213 in Kalgoorlie, North Regional TAFE lists it in South Hedland, Karratha and Halls Creek, and Australian Operator Training is based in Emerald, QLD. Dates and fees change, so check the provider page.

Is there a refresher or expiry?

The unit sets none. We did not find a refresher period stated by any provider for AHCMOM213. Australian Operator Training lists refresher prices for its chainsaw units, so some employers may expect updated training. Ask the employer or provider.

Is there a minimum age?

It depends on the provider. Saferight's page says participants must be 18 or over. South West TAFE's page says at least 16, with exceptions that may be considered. We did not check the other providers.

Want the full walkthrough? Read our chainsaw ticket guide.