Licence to Operate a Forklift Truck

Licence to Operate a Forklift Truck

Operating a forklift is a high-risk activity that requires the right skills, knowledge, and licence to perform safely. This nationally recognised course gives you the practical experience and confidence to safely operate a forklift in a range of workplace environments.

Delivered over three days (including SafeWork Assessment), this course combines hands-on training, and real-world scenarios to prepare you for your High-Risk Work Licence. You’ll learn how to identify hazards, calculate loads, operate safely, and follow workplace procedures — ensuring you can protect yourself, your team, and your workplace.

Accredited Unit of Competency

On successful completion, you will receive a Statement of Attainment for:

• TLILIC0003 Licence to operate a forklift truck

Prerequisites

• Nil

Licencing

• This course leads to a SafeWork NSW High Risk Work Licence (LF class)
• You must be 18 years or older and provide valid ID to be assessed
• Formal assessment is conducted by a SafeWork NSW accredited assessor
• A fee will apply to obtain your licence from SafeWork NSW upon successful completion

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What You’ll Learn

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Plan and prepare for forklift operations safely
• Conduct pre-start and operational checks, including logbooks and equipment inspections
• Identify hazards and apply effective risk controls (Take 5, traffic management, exclusion zones)
• Interpret data plates, load charts and rated capacity
• Calculate load weights and assess whether loads can be safely lifted
• Safely pick up, move, stack and place loads
• Operate a forklift in a range of conditions
• Communicate effectively using hand signals, radios and workplace procedures
• Park, shut down and isolate the forklift correctly
• Follow WHS legislation, Codes of Practice and workplace procedures

Who Is This Course For

This course is ideal for:

• Workers required to operate a forklift as part of their job
• Individuals seeking to enter warehousing, construction, logistics or industrial roles
• Employers wanting to upskill staff for safe plant operation
• Anyone needing a High-Risk Work Licence (LF class) 

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How the Training Works

Training Delivery

• Training is delivered in person by a qualified trainer at one of Maxwell Training’s facilities, or at your site pending a suitability inspection
• Maximum class size: 8 participants
• Duration: 3 days (7.5 hours per day)
• Includes classroom learning, workshop activities and practical driving
• Final assessment (Day 3) is conducted by a SafeWork NSW accredited HRW assessor

Practical Activities
You will take part in realistic, hands-on activities including:

• Completing pre-start and post-start inspections
• Using forklift logbooks and reporting faults
• Conducting Take 5 risk assessments
• Calculating load weights and interpreting data plates
• Operating a forklift with dynamic (water drums) and non-dynamic loads (pallets)
• Driving through obstacle courses including S-bends, reversing and tight spaces
• Lifting, stacking and placing loads at different heights
• Applying traffic management and exclusion zones

Assessment
Your competency will be assessed through:

• Knowledge assessment (multiple choice and short answer)
• Portfolio of Evidence
• Practical observation assessments (driving, lifting, hazard control)
• SafeWork NSW HRW assessment (theory practical) 

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Entry Requirements

To fully participate and stay safe during practical activities, you must meet the following requirements:

General Requirements

• Must be 18 years or older
• Proof of identity must be supplied and verified on the day of training and assessment
• You need a Unique Student Identifier (USI) — apply free at www.usi.gov.au

Licencing Process (SafeWork NSW)
To complete your licence assessment, you must:

• APPLY ONLINE for an Assessment Enrolment Number (AEN)
• Complete your digital ID check (2 FORMS OF ID REQUIRED)
• Receive your AEN via email
• Provide your AEN to your assessor before your assessment
• Your results will be emailed to you after completion
• A $92 licence fee will be required by SafeWork upon successful completion of the HRW assessment 

Language, Literacy, Numeracy & Digital (LLND)

You will need basic skills to:

• Read and complete knowledge questions (basic Year 10 level literacy)
• Read and interpret safety procedures, signage and data plates
• Complete logbooks, Take 5 forms and assessments
• Perform basic calculations (load weights and capacities)
• Follow verbal and written instructions from the trainer
• Use a digital device (tablet, smartphone, or laptop) for assessments

Physical Requirements
To safely participate, you must be able to:

• Climb on and off the forklift using three points of contact
• Operate controls while maintaining balance and awareness
• Conduct inspections (bending, reaching, visual checks)
• Safely handle loads and operate the forklift
• Maintain alertness and coordination during operation

Got Any Questions?

If you’d like to know more about this course, entry requirements, or booking options — or if you feel that you may need support in class — our team is here to help!

Call us on 1300 MAXWEL or email [email protected] and we’ll make sure you have all the information you need.