Forklifts are used in a range of industries such as transport, logistics, construction, mining, etc. Having a forklift license is an excellent way to increase job opportunities and give your career a boost.
In Australia, you are required a national high-risk work license (HRWL) to operate a forklift. In order to obtain this, you will need to be trained and assessed by a WorkSafe assessor at a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Once you get your license, you will be able to work in a warehouse or apply for transport positions. So, keep reading to find out how to get a forklift license in Australia.
STEP 1:
First of all, you need to enroll in a forklift licence course with a Registered Training Organization such as Nara Training. When searching for a training provider, here are some questions you should ask them:
- How many years have you been running this program?
- What is the average class size?
- How much will it cost to resit the test if I fail and when can I do it?
STEP 2:
As part of the course, you will be required to undergo training as well as pass the assessment which comprises of theory and practical components. After completion of the course, you will be issued a statement of attainment and notice of assessment.
STEP 3:
Safetyaustraliatraining will submit your HRWL application to WorkSafe WA. WorkSafe WA is Western Australian Government agency responsible for the administration of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984. It is a division of the Department of Commerce.
It can take up to 60 days for your high risk work license to be processed. It you have not received your high risk work license within this timeframe, please call WorkSafe WA directly on 9722 2888.
What is a LF License?
A LF license permits you to operate any forklift vehicle except an order picker/ stock picker forklift). You can operate the following forklift trucks with this license:
– Counter balanced forklift truck
– Reach forklift truck (High reach)
– Side loading forklift truck
– All-terrain forklift truck
– Truck mounted forklift truck
What are the prerequisites of getting a forklift license in Australia?
- You must be of at least 18 years of age
- You will need to have basic knowledge of English (written and verbal) to undertake the training course
- You will need 100 points of identification (i.e passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, proof of address)
What is the duration of the course?
Course duration varies depending on your experience level. A beginner’s course takes 2 days while an experienced operator course is 1 day. For more information, please visit the following links:
How much does it cost to take forklift training?
As with other questions, the cost of forklift training depends on your experience level, knowledge of operating a forklift and the location you will be undertaking training. At Safety Australia Training , our beginner and refresher courses are competitively priced and are inclusive of the WorkSafe fee. Here is a list of our course fees:
LocationExperience LevelCourse FeesPERTHBeginner$350Experienced$195BUNBURYBeginner$400Experienced$350
Once obtained, do forklift licenses expire?
Yes, High Risk licenses do expire and must be renewed every 5 years. There is a fee payable to WorkSafe. Be sure to keep your contact details up to date with WorkSafe so all notifications are going to the correct address. You must not carry out high risk work until your license has been renewed.
Will my forklift license be recognized if I move to another State?
Yes, a current Forklift license is valid in any state or territory of Australia. As long as it is valid and not expired, a forklift license issued in any Australian State or territory is recognized nationally.
How much can I expect to earn as a forklift operator?
According to Payscale.com, forklift operators in Australia earn between $20.12 to $28.89 per hour while you can earn an average of $25.96 to $45.46 per hour for overtime work. Your annual pay could be anywhere from $41,847 to $64,003 depending on your experience.
Now that you know everything you could possibly need to know about getting a forklift license in Australia, it is time to register for a forklift training course. Nara Training’s nationally accredited forklift training course is designed to give participants the necessary skills and knowledge to operate a forklift truck. To view our upcoming forklift courses and register.
