The moratorium, which began on Friday, is dependent on the federal government covering the cost of shifting logging to coupes outside the high-conservation forest boundaries.

The moratorium allows for work to continue in the high- conservation areas if it is necessary to meet existing contracts.

They must then move to areas outside the identified protected area.

Forest Industry Association of Tasmania chief executive Terry Edwards estimated the cost of building necessary infrastructure to access new coupes, such as building roads, to be $3 million.

In December, Prime Minister Julia Gillard had indicated the government would not increase its financial support for the forestry restructure after funding a $22.4 million contractor exit package.

But Mr Edwards said this was a different request which had come from Bill Kelty, appointed by the government to lead the peace talks.

"They can't just sit back on the sidelines. Forestry Tasmania can't bear the additional costs, without it the moratorium becomes extremely difficult," Mr Edwards said.

He said it was essential the money be provided as soon as possible to allow work to start.

Details of the six-month moratorium will be confirmed this week, but the area to be locked up is believed to be about 565,000 hectares and includes the Styx, the Weld and the Florentine.

Mr Edwards said the group was waiting for details of Forestry Tasmania's operations in the forests to be protected and the alternative areas in which it could continue its work.

Greens leader Nick McKim is seeking a meeting with Premier Lara Giddings to discuss his concerns about the implementation of the moratorium.

"The Greens are disappointed that this sounds like it still is not an actual moratorium, with some logging of identified HCV forests up to the new implementation date," a Greens spokeswoman said.

Mr McKim was still hopeful the original March 15 date could be achieved instead.