Product Overview

Summary: This Standard Operating Procedure sets out a clear, consistent method for grading timber in line with Australian standards and customer specifications. It helps mills, timber yards and manufacturing operations improve product consistency, reduce waste, and provide verifiable quality assurance for every stick of timber that leaves the yard.

Timber grading is a critical control point in the Australian timber supply chain, directly affecting structural performance, customer satisfaction, and compliance with building codes. Inconsistent grading can lead to rejected loads, structural failures, warranty claims, and reputational damage. This Timber Grading Techniques Standard Operating Procedure provides a practical, step‑by‑step framework for visually and mechanically grading timber, documenting decisions, and ensuring that every piece meets the required grade before it reaches your customers.

Developed for Australian mills, timber processors and merchants, this SOP translates complex grading rules and standards into clear, on-the-ground instructions that graders can follow shift after shift. It covers preparation, identification of defects, measurement and classification, documentation, and internal quality checks, while integrating WHS considerations relevant to grading workstations. By implementing this procedure, businesses can standardise grading practices across sites and shifts, streamline training for new graders, and demonstrate due diligence to regulators, certifiers and major commercial clients.

Key Benefits

• Standardise grading decisions across shifts, sites and graders, improving product consistency and customer confidence.
• Reduce waste, rework and downgraded product by applying clear, repeatable grading criteria aligned to Australian standards.
• Support compliance with the National Construction Code and relevant Australian Standards for structural and appearance-grade timber.
• Streamline training and competency assessment for new and existing timber graders with a clear, documented method.
• Enhance traceability and auditability through documented grading records, labelling and verification checks.

Who is this for?

• Timber Graders
• Sawmill Supervisors
• Production Managers
• Quality Assurance Managers
• Timber Yard Managers
• Operations Managers
• WHS and Compliance Coordinators in Timber Operations
• Training and Induction Coordinators
• Procurement and Supply Chain Managers (Timber Products)

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Grading Terminology
• 3.0 Applicable Standards, Codes and References
• 4.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 5.0 Equipment, Tools and Documentation Required
• 6.0 Pre‑Operational Checks and Work Area Setup
• 7.0 Timber Identification, Sorting and Preparation
• 8.0 Visual Grading Techniques and Defect Recognition
• 9.0 Mechanical Grading Procedures (Where Applicable)
• 10.0 Measurement, Classification and Grade Assignment
• 11.0 Marking, Labelling and Traceability Requirements
• 12.0 Quality Control, Sampling and Verification Checks
• 13.0 Handling of Non‑Conforming or Downgraded Timber
• 14.0 Recordkeeping, Reporting and Audit Trail
• 15.0 Training, Competency Assessment and Refresher Requirements
• 16.0 Continuous Improvement and Review of Grading Criteria

Legislation & References

• AS 1720.1: Timber structures – Design methods
• AS 2082: Timber – Hardwood – Visually stress-graded for structural purposes
• AS 2858: Timber – Softwood – Visually stress-graded for structural purposes
• AS/NZS 1748: Timber – Solid – Stress-graded for structural purposes by mechanical stress-grading
• AS/NZS 4490: Timber – Glossary of terms in timber-related Standards
• National Construction Code (NCC) – Requirements for structural timber products
• Relevant product standards and grading rules issued by accredited timber grading agencies