OSCA occupation

731231 Paper and Pulp Production Operator

Operates machinery in a paper and pulp processing facility to process pulp and manufacture paper and pulp products, such as paper sheets, and paper or cardboard packaging.

Major group: 7 Machinery Operators and Drivers
Unit group: 7312 Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators
Edition: OSCA 2024
Skill level: Level 4

Should you use OSCA or ANZSCO?

OSCA 2024 is the current Australian occupation classification for storing, organising and reporting occupation information. Use this OSCA record for current Australian statistical and analytical classification work.

Some migration and administrative programs still specify ANZSCO 2022. Check the exact system named by the agency or form rather than replacing the code automatically.

Check the current ABS guidance on OSCA and ANZSCO use

Official ANZSCO correspondence

Role overview

Operates machinery in a paper and pulp processing facility to process pulp and manufacture paper and pulp products, such as paper sheets, and paper or cardboard packaging.

Use this page to confirm the official title, the parent unit group, the task list and the related ANZSIC industry context before using the occupation in classification, reporting or migration-adjacent workflows.

Occupation facts

Skill level: 4
Major group: 7 Machinery Operators and Drivers
Sub-major group: 73 Machine and Stationary Plant Operators
Minor group: 731 Machine Operators
Unit group: 7312 Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators

Tasks

Operates and adjusts the settings of paper and pulp production machinery to ensure consistent output as per the specifications
Loads raw materials and chemicals into plant equipment to make and bleach pulp
Operates machinery such as blenders, agitators and driers to process, sample, wash and blend pulp
Transfers pulp to storage tanks and operates machinery to agitate pulp to maintain consistency
Loads pulp and additives such as dye into paper making equipment or machines, and operates machinery to make paper and pulp products
Monitors and controls the flow of materials throughout the pulp and paper making process
Operates drier and calendar rolls, and imparts gloss and coating mixtures to paper or paper products

Skill level guidance

Skill level helps place the occupation inside the ABS hierarchy. Use it as a classification cue, then check the actual task list and occupational context before making a decision for HR, visa or reporting work.

How to use this occupation page

Start with the official OSCA title and task list. Then confirm the parent unit group and compare the related occupations on this page if the job title is broad, overlapping or used differently across employers.

The ANZSIC links are there to help when the same occupation appears across several industries and you need the business-side classification as well.

Related occupations

731232 Timber and Wood Production Operator

Industry context

Alternative titles

Paper and Pulp Machine Operator

Compare before choosing

Compare OSCA 731231 with related occupations

Compare roles in the same OSCA unit group by their official definition, skill level, tasks and recognised alternative titles.

Comparison point	Current code731231 Paper and Pulp Production Operator	731232 Timber and Wood Production Operator
Official role definition	Operates machinery in a paper and pulp processing facility to process pulp and manufacture paper and pulp products, such as paper sheets, and paper or cardboard packaging.	Operates timber and wood production machinery to perform tasks such as cutting logs to standard sizes, veneer production and gluing, and testing and grading timber planks, woodchips, wooden boards and other wood products.
Skill level	Skill Level 4	Skill Level 4
Key tasks	Operates and adjusts the settings of paper and pulp production machinery to ensure consistent output as per the specifications Loads raw materials and chemicals into plant equipment to make and bleach pulp Operates machinery such as blenders, agitators and driers to process, sample, wash and blend pulp Transfers pulp to storage tanks and operates machinery to agitate pulp to maintain consistency	Coordinates the loading and unloading of logs onto equipment and conveyors Operates timber and wood processing machines or plant equipment to strip, debark and prepare logs for processing Operates machines and equipment such as saws, planers and sanders to process and cut logs and timber into desired sizes and shapes Operates machines such as lathes and slicing machines to produce veneers, and laminates veneers using glue
Alternative titles	Paper and Pulp Machine Operator	Not stated

Comparison uses occupation definitions, skill levels, tasks and title variants from the ABS OSCA data files.

In this section

731231Paper and Pulp Production Operator
731232Timber and Wood Production Operator

Official source

Official source: ABS OSCA 2024 release and correspondence tables
Last reviewed: 2026-04-17

This site is an independent reference resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the ABS, ATO or any Australian Government agency.

Please verify critical classification decisions with the official authority before using them for tax, payroll, licensing, immigration or compliance work.

Report a correction