Timber Basics: Application, Durability & Use Online Training Course - Nov 2026

Anyone working with timber – from those growing, producing, selling timber products to architects, building designers, engineers, builders and certifiers – should have an understanding of the properties of wood as a resource and how these impacts its use as a building material.

This online course has been developed to give a basic understanding of timber application, specification and durability considerations for anyone working with timber from those growing, producing, selling timber products to the building professionals designing and building with the ultimate renewable. Participants will gain an understanding of the properties of wood as a resource and how this impacts its use as a building material.

This course includes a training module on Certification and Chain of Custody, facilitated by Matt de Jongh, Sustainability Manager of Responsible Wood, which will give a deeper understanding of sustainable forest management and give participants an understanding of timber's entire value chain from source to end product. 

Thank you to our course sponsors, AKD.

This online training course will take place over 3 sessions via the Zoom webinar platform:

• Thursday 10 November 10am - 11.30am AEST

• Thursday 17 November 10am - 11am AEST

• Thursday 24 November 10am - 11am AEST

  
  

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

• Understand tree growth and the properties of wood structure which affect its processing and end-use.

• Learn to specify timber and wood products, including the basics of timber grading (structural stress grading and non-structural grades).

• Study specification considerations like moisture content, movement and shrinkage, and species selection.

• Evaluate how to maximise timber’s performance in any given application.

• Gain an understanding of hazard levels and factors which may limit timber’s durability performance.

• Hear about preservative treatments and how to specify these systems.

• Explore timber product certification; including Chain of Custody, responsible sourcing, traceability and controlled sources. 

  
  

WEBINAR PROGRAM

Session 1 - Introduction & Wood Basics: Terminology & Properties

Tuesday 10 November 10.00 am - 11.30 am 

10am

Presenter: Lex Somerville

Learning Objectives: Participants will be given a short introductory overview of timber as a resource, including tree growth and wood structure. This session will provide an understanding of wood and the properties which affect processing and end-use. Participants will gain an understanding of the essential properties of wood and commercial timber product types.

11am

Certification & Chain of Custody 

Presenter: Matt de Jongh

Learning Objectives: This session will provide an overview the certification process, by which wood products can and should be traceable from the sustainably managed forests from which they are harvested, through the market. The session will explore the concepts of Chain of Custody, responsible sourcing, traceability, controlled sources and more.

Session 2 - Timber Application & Specification

Tuesday 17 November 10.00 am - 11am

Presenter: Lex Somerville

Learning Objectives: This session will cover timber grading (structural stress grading and non-structural grades), moisture content, movement and shrinkage, and other specification considerations such as species selection. Participants will learn to specify timber and wood products.

Session 3 - Durability & Treatment Systems

Tuesday 24 November 10.00 am - 11am

Presenter: Lex Somerville

Learning Objectives: This session will provide an overview of maximising timber’s performance in any given application. Participants will gain an understanding of hazard levels and factors which may limit timber’s durability performance, as well as learning about different preservative treatments and how to specify these systems to guarantee prolonged building service life.

FREE REGISTRATION FOR TQ MEMBERS

Timber Queensland members and AQTMN licensees who wish to register for this online training course for free, please email admin@timberqueensland.com.au to book your space, or use your member details to book tickets below. These spaces are strictly limited.  

After registering, Timber Queensland will send through a confirmation email with webinar details and links.

Non-members can register using the form below. 

MEET YOUR WORKSHOP FACILITATORS

Lex Somerville (Reg Builder) - Timber Queensland Consultant

Lex has over 40 years of experience in the construction and building materials industry. His hands-on experience as a building contractor contributed to his success as a Technical Consultant with the Timber Research & Development Council.  Today Lex works as a consultant conducting inspections for a range of clients including TQ, the James Cook Cyclone Testing Station and a range of other associations and certifiers.

Matt Smith RPEQ, Timber Queensland Technical Consultant 

An RPEQ-certified Structural Engineer, Matt has over 25 years’ experience designing and inspecting timber buildings in Australia and around the world. Coming from a family of 3 generations of builders, Matt is passionate about the timber building industry.  

Matt de Jongh - Sustainability Manager, Responsible Wood

Matt de Jongh is Sustainability Manager at Responsible Wood and a Registered Forestry Professional with Forestry Australia. With more than 20 years’ experience across operational forestry, policy and stakeholder engagement, Matt has worked with government, industry and forestry organisations. He is passionate about sustainable forest management and communicating the environmental, social and economic benefits of forestry.

Vaimiti Rigal

A chartered structural engineer with over a decade of design and inspection experience across civil, commercial, and residential timber structures, Vaimiti combines engineering precision with site-based practical knowledge. She offers valuable insight into the integration of engineering design, prefabrication, construction, and inspection.