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ANZSCO 712916Updated 2026-01-29

Paper and Pulp Mill Operator

National shortage level: Low

Snapshot

Median pay: AUD 108k
Weekly earnings: AUD 2080
Salary range: AUD 97k-AUD 119k
Job ads trend: Not listed
Time to hire: Varies
Visa pathways: Check eligibility

State distribution

50.4%
VIC
25.6%
NSW
8.8%
TAS

Education mix

28.5%
certificate iii/ iv
25%
year 10 and below
22.5%
year 12

Role overview

Paper and Pulp Mill Operators operate plants to produce paper pulp from woodchips and to make paper sheets.

What you do
  • Loads the digester with raw materials and chemicals.
  • Regulates and adjusts the temperature and pressure within the digester.
  • Tests samples by titration or standard colour test to determine completion of process.

Core skills

    Credentials & pathway

    • Recommended level: certificate iii/ iv (28.5%)

    Recent job ads

    No ads listed yet.

    Tasks

    • Controls flow of wet pulp through rotary screens to paper making machines.
    • Drains liquid from digester and monitors the removal of the cooked pulp.
    • Ensures transfer of completed batch to storage tanks where it is kept under agitation to maintain consistency.

    Earnings

    Weekly median: AUD 2080
    Annual median: AUD 108k
    Range: AUD 97k-AUD 119k