Changes to the forklift licence process

Forklifts classified as ‘high risk’, only a licensed operator is allowed to operate forklifts in Victoria and all other parts of Australia. It is expected that regulations relating to getting a forklift licence may change on the 1st January 2011. The change is likely to make the licensing process more comprehensive and stringent. The complete test document details will be available once the documents are issued to the training providers. WorkSafe will issue the new test documents to registered forklift training organizations in Australia.

WorkSafe is going to make the licensing process more stringent for all high risk licenses including forklifts. At present, a student can enroll in a 1 day course and attend the licence testing on the same day to acquire the forklift licence. However, the new law is going to require all forklift trainees to complete 40 nominal hours before obtaining a licence. The new rule is to make sure that all candidates have spent enough time behind the wheels and understand occupational health and safety hazards before they commence operating forklifts in a real-time commercial environment.

With the 1 day course being replaced by a full week of training the cost of forklift training and licensing is going to be affected heavily. It is estimated that the forklift course costs can almost triple due to increased course time-frame. Currently, a student can expect to pay around $350 for a 1 day forklift training, however, with new law in place next year the cost is going to increase to approximately $1100.00 The licence regulation change is going to affect forklifts and all other equipment that are classified as high risk.