Australia has a licence system for forklifts, not a certificate or 'ticket' system like other countries. At the moment (October 2011) all states in Australia have different regulations on how to get a forklift license. This system is expected to change in the near future - (probably by the end of 2012), and getting your forklift licence will be the same all over Australia. Until then, please see the links below to find out how to get a forklift licence in your state/territory.

How can I prepare for my forklift license?

If you've never driven a forklift before you are best to contact a training company who can teach you how to use the machine properly. To find a trainer in your state or territory please click here. If you want to start studying for the test to get your licence you'll need one of the following guides. Please read below for more information on the regulations in your State or Territory.

Victoria, Tasmania, NSW, South Australia  National Forklift Truck Safety and Licence Guide.

Western Australia and Northern Territory  you need either Forklift Truck Final Review Study Guide, or National Forklift Truck Safety and Licence Guide.

Queensland - Queensland Forklift Truck Learner Guide.

Can I get practice questions or a practice test for the forklift test?

Yes. The safety and licence guide which corresponds to your state will have a range of questions to help you prepare for the test. But, they DO NOT necessarily use the same questions or wording from the actual test.

How do I get a forklift licence in New South Wales and ACT?

Your forklift training must be carried out by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or a TAFE. Sometimes you can do some pratical training in the workplace, but this must be done with the approval of an RTO. You will be given both a practical (driving) test, and a written test. The test is known as the NOHSC assessment instrument.

To study for the NOHSC test we recommend purchasing the National Forklift Truck Safety and Licence Guide.

To find a forklift trainer in New South Wales click here.

How do I get a forklift licence in South Australia?

Your forklift training must be carried out by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or a TAFE. You will be given both a practical (driving) test, and a written test. The test is known as the NOHSC assessment instrument.

To study for the NOHSC test we recommend purchasing the National Forklift Truck Safety and Licence Guide.

To find a forklift trainer in South Australia click here.

How do I get a forklift licence in Victoria?

Your forklift training must be carried out by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or a TAFE. You will be given both a practical (driving) test, and a written test. The test is known as the NOHSC assessment instrument.

To study for the NOHSC test we recommend purchasing the National Forklift Truck Safety and Licence Guide.

To find a forklift trainer in Victoria click here.

How do I get a forklift licence in Western Australia?

There are currently 2 ways to get a forklift licence in Western Australia. Either way Your forklift training must be carried out by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or a TAFE. You'll be given a both a written and a practical test, but there are 2 types of test which could be used. One is called known as the 'NOHSC test', and the other a 'licence to' test. The 'licence to' test is newer one, but either one is acceptable at the moemnt.

To study for the NOHSC test we recommend purchasing the National Forklift Truck Safety and Licence Guide.

To study for the 'Licence to' test we recommend purchasing the Forklift Truck Final Review Study Guide.

If you are not sure which test the RTO or TAFE will be using we recommend purchasing the Forklift Truck Final Review Study Guide.

To find a forklift trainer in Western Australia click here.

How do I get a forklift licence in Northern Territory?

There are currently 2 ways to get a forklift licence in Western Australia. Until 30th June 2012 you can do your training on the job, through a training company, or if you've already got experience you can get your skills recognised through recognition of prior learning (RPL).

You'll be tested by an NT SafeWork accredited assessor who will test you using the NOHSC assessment instrument.

The second way (which will be the only way after 30th June 2012 is that your training must be carried out by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or a TAFE. You'll be given a both a written and a practical test using the new 'licence to' test.

To study for the NOHSC test we recommend purchasing the National Forklift Truck Safety and Licence Guide.

To study for the 'Licence to' test we recommend purchasing the Forklift Truck Final Review Study Guide.

To find a forklift trainer in Norhtern Territory click here.

How do I get a forklift licence in Queensland?

Your forklift training must be carried out by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or a TAFE. You'll be given a practical and written test. The Queensland test is known as the Qld OHS Assessment Instrument.

To study for the 'Queensland OHS Assessment' we recommend purchasing the Queensland Forklift Truck Learner Guide.

To find a forklift trainer in Queensland click here.

How do I get a forklift licence in Tasmania?

Tasmania has an what's called an 'accredited assessor system'. This means that you must pass the NOHSC Assessment Instrument (forklift test) given by a government accredited
assessor.

To study for the NOHSC test we recommend purchasing the National Forklift Truck Safety and Licence Guide.

To find a forklift trainer in Tasmania click here.

How to get a forklift licence in 2012 and beyond - the new national system.

All states and territories are changing to a new national system for Forklift licenses. This system is expected to come in in 2012, but the exact date has not been released yet.

When the new system comes in your training must be done by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or a TAFE. You will be given both a practical (driving) test, and a written test. The new test is known as the 'licence to' test.

To study for the 'Licence to' test we recommend purchasing the Forklift Truck Final Review Study Guide.

To find a forklift trainer in your State or Territory click here.