You have seen the job ads. Warehouse, yard, site, all of them asking for a forklift licence. Maybe you have even driven one on a farm or at a mate’s business and wondered why you need a card for something you can already do.
In Queensland, you cannot legally operate a forklift at work without one. To get it, you do a three-day TLILIC0003 course with a registered training organisation, pass the assessment, then apply to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland within 60 days. This guide walks you through each step, what it costs, how long it takes, and how to fit it around a full-time job.
What is a forklift licence?
A forklift licence is a high risk work licence. In Queensland it is issued by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ), not by your employer and not by the training provider. The licence class for a standard forklift is called LF.
The LF class covers a forklift truck fitted with a mast and an elevating load carriage, with a pair of fork arms or another attachment on the front. That is the counterbalance forklift you see in most warehouses, hardware yards and depots. An order-picking forklift, where the operator’s controls rise up with the load, is a separate licence class (LO).
Operating a forklift without the correct high risk work licence is illegal and dangerous. A company induction or a supervisor’s sign-off does not replace it.
Who needs a forklift licence?
Anyone who works as a forklift operator, even part of the day. That includes people in warehousing, transport, construction, mining, agriculture and manufacturing. It also includes the operator who has been driving one for years on the job without ever getting the ticket.
Who can get a forklift licence?
The entry requirements are simple.
- You must be 18 or older. A forklift licence is a high risk work licence, and 18 is the minimum age to complete the course.
- You need basic literacy and numeracy. Part of the assessment is written, so you need to be able to read the questions and work through some simple numbers.
The course suits people starting a new career as well as people building on skills they already have. If English is not your first language, talk to us before you book. Daniele, one of our forklift students, had just arrived in Australia, and his trainer slowed down and repeated things until they made sense.
How to get a forklift licence: the steps
Getting your forklift licence in Queensland comes down to four steps.
Step 1: Book a forklift licence course with an RTO
You need to train and be assessed with a registered training organisation (RTO). The unit you complete is TLILIC0003 – Licence to operate a forklift truck. At Diggerman Training it runs at our training facility in Coolum on the Sunshine Coast, and our local trainer runs it in Townsville too. Townsville courses are booked by enquiry, so head to our Townsville page to get in touch. You can read the full course outline on our forklift licence course page.
Step 2: Complete the forklift training
The course is split into two parts. Theory comes first, then the practical. You learn how to plan and prepare for the job, do pre-operational checks, operate the forklift safely, load, carry and place materials, shut the machine down and secure it, and recognise hazards in the work area.
Step 3: Pass the assessment
You are assessed on both parts. There is a written theory component and a practical demonstration where you show you can operate the forklift safely. When you successfully complete the assessment, you receive a nationally recognised statement of attainment for TLILIC0003.
Step 4: Apply to WHSQ for your licence
Passing the course does not give you the licence itself. After your assessment you receive an email from WHSQ with your Candidate Assessment Summary application. You then have 60 days to apply for your high risk work licence online.
To apply, you need your assessment summary and a Queensland Digital Identity login (you are prompted to create one during the application). Have your Queensland driver licence or proof of age card handy too, if you hold one. There is an application fee for each licence class, and it is non-refundable. Check the current fee on the WorkSafe Queensland high risk work licence page before you apply.
Keep your assessment summary paperwork once you have applied. If you applied within the 60 days, it is your evidence that you can lawfully do forklift work while WHSQ decides your application. WHSQ has up to 120 days to decide it, and the licence card you receive has your photo on it.
How long does it take to get a forklift licence?
The forklift course takes three days at Diggerman Training, covering training and assessment. After that, the time depends on how quickly you lodge your application and how long WHSQ takes to process it.
Three days gives you proper time in the seat with a trainer beside you. As Cameron put it after his course, it “has a good mix of theory vs. practical.”
How much does a forklift licence cost?
There are two costs to plan for.
- The course fee. Check the forklift course booking page for current pricing.
- The WHSQ application fee. You pay this to WHSQ when you apply for the licence. It is separate from the course fee.
Getting your forklift licence around a full-time job
Most people looking at a forklift licence are already working. Three days off is not always easy to arrange, so it helps to know your options.
- Weekly day courses. Day courses start on Mondays and Tuesdays most weeks, so there is usually a start date coming up. Pick a week where your roster is lightest, or line it up with a few days of leave.
- Night courses. Night courses are scheduled from time to time. Check the forklift course dates to see which day and night options are open.
Plan around the 60-day window as well. The online application does not take long, but put a reminder in your phone the day you finish so it does not slip past while you are back at work.
What if I already drive a forklift?
If you have been operating a forklift for years without the licence, you still need to do the course and get the licence. Experience will make the three days easier, but it does not replace the qualification.
If you already hold a current forklift licence and your employer wants proof you are still competent, give us a call and we will talk you through your options.
How long does a forklift licence last?
A Queensland high risk work licence lasts five years. You renew it through WorkSafe Queensland before it expires. Put the expiry date in your phone when the card arrives, so you are not caught out on site.
What our forklift students say
“I did my forklift licence with Diggerman Training, and would recommend them to anyone wanting tickets or licences in construction or plant operations. The forklift course is delivered over 3 days, and has a good mix of theory vs. practical. All materials provided for theory are easy to understand and well formatted for your success in completion. The instructor (Brad) is friendly, committed to students doing well, has plenty of experience in the industry and delivers the course content with clear and understandable methods.” – Cameron, forklift licence
“I’m very satisfied from my experience at Diggerman Coolem. I just finished the forklift licence and I would like to thank you expecially Brad, my training instructor. Even if I’m just arrived in Australia and I may have some problem with the Australian accent, he helped me a lot, speaking slowly and simply and repeating the sentences as much time as I needed to me to understand. I really suggest this training company and I will definitely come back for more training. Daniele” – Daniele, forklift licence
Key takeaways
- A forklift licence is a high risk work licence (class LF), issued in Queensland by WHSQ.
- You need to be 18 or older with basic literacy and numeracy.
- The course (TLILIC0003) takes three days at Diggerman Training, with theory, practical and assessment.
- After you pass, you have 60 days to apply to WHSQ and pay the application fee.
- The licence lasts five years, then you renew it with WorkSafe Queensland.
Courses mentioned in this article:
- TLILIC0003 – Licence to operate a forklift truck
- CPCCWHS1001 – Prepare to work safely in the construction industry
Ready to get your forklift licence?
The next step is picking a date that works around your job. Pick a start date from the course dates. Three days later you walk out with your assessment done and 60 days to lodge your licence application.
Heading onto construction sites as well? You will need a white card for that, so ask us about doing both.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I get a forklift licence online?
No. You can only get a forklift licence by passing a practical assessment on a real forklift, along with the written theory. Our public forklift courses run at our Coolum training facility and in Townsville.
Q: Is a forklift licence the same as a high risk work licence?
Yes. A forklift licence is one class (LF) of high risk work licence. Other high risk work licences cover things like dogging, rigging, cranes and elevating work platforms, and each needs its own training and assessment.
Q: Is it hard to pass the forklift test?
Most people find it very manageable with proper training. You answer written theory questions and then show the assessor you can handle the forklift safely in a practical demonstration. Our assessors give every student the support they need to have the best chance of completing it.
Q: What do I get after completing the forklift licence course?
You receive a nationally recognised statement of attainment for TLILIC0003. You then apply to WHSQ for the licence itself within 60 days of your assessment.
Q: What should I wear to the course?
A long-sleeve hi-vis shirt (or a long-sleeve shirt with a hi-vis vest), long pants and steel cap safety boots. A hard hat and safety glasses are optional.
