The Master of Forestry (Advanced) is a two-year postgraduate degree designed to develop expert knowledge and leadership capability in the science, management, and policy of forests and forested landscapes. The program reflects the diversity of perspectives needed for effective forest resource management, equipping students with knowledge in either the science and methods or policy and management aspects of forestry and sustainable forest management. The 'Advanced' designation distinguishes this qualification from the standard coursework master's by incorporating up to a full year of supervised research culminating in a thesis, providing graduates with formal research training that prepares them for doctoral study or high-level industry roles. Students explore the full breadth of Australia's forest landscape — from native forests managed by Traditional Owners and state agencies, to plantation forests, farm forests, and urban green infrastructure — developing the analytical and interdisciplinary skills required to manage these environments sustainably.

The course suits science, natural resource management, environmental policy, and ecology graduates who wish to deepen their expertise and move into senior professional, research, or advisory roles in the forests sector. Graduates work in conservation and sustainable production systems, in partnership with First Nations peoples and with farmers, in the forest and environmental services industries, and across government, business, and community sectors. Key employers include state forestry agencies, the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, ABARES, environmental consultancies, plantation management companies, NGOs, university research centres, and international conservation organisations. Graduates are equipped to enter at managerial and strategic thinking-level positions, and to become the next generation of leaders in forests.

Applicants to the Master of Forestry (Advanced) are typically required to hold a bachelor's degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5.5 out of 7.0, assessed on the Australian GPA scale. This is a higher academic threshold than the standard Master of Forestry, reflecting the research-intensive nature of the advanced program. Applicants must have completed at least eight undergraduate courses in a cognate discipline such as ecology, environmental policy, environmental science, environmental studies, forestry, natural resource economics, natural resource management, or resource management. Admission is competitive, meaning that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee entry, and applicants are ranked based on academic achievement, English language proficiency, and diversity factors. Credit for prior study may be available: applicants with a graduate certificate or bachelor's degree with honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to one year of advanced standing.

All applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements. International students are typically required to demonstrate proficiency through standardised tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic. Standard English entry benchmarks for Australian postgraduate programs in this field are typically IELTS overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0 (or equivalent), though providers may set higher thresholds. Students already enrolled in the standard Master of Forestry may apply to transfer into the Advanced program partway through, provided they achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark in their first year of coursework and secure the approval of a research supervisor. A feasible and clearly scoped research project is required for supervisor approval, and most research projects involve on-campus attendance.