High risk work licence class LF

Forklift Licence Course: Cost, Length and Providers

A forklift licence (class LF, unit TLILIC0003) covers forklifts with forks that raise 900 mm or more. Across 28 providers, published prices run $346 to $990, usually over 2 to 3 days. You must be 18 or over, and your state regulator issues the licence after assessment. WA and NSW licences last 5 years.

Last checked 10 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm with the regulator or provider before you book.

Key facts

Unit code: TLILIC0003
Price range: $346 to $990 (24 published prices)
Typical length: Usually 2 to 3 days including assessment. Some WA courses for experienced operators run 1 day.
Expiry: 5 years in WA, NSW and the NT, with a 12-month window after expiry to renew. For Queensland, check with WorkSafe Queensland.
Providers compared: 28
Last checked: 10 October 2026

Compare Forklift providers

How much does a Forklift course cost?

Published prices run $346 to $990 across 24 of the 28 providers we compared. Each figure comes from the provider’s own course page on 10 October 2026. See every provider, sorted cheapest first.

What are the rules for Forklift?

State rules are on their own pages: Forklift NSW, Forklift QLD, Forklift WA.

TLILIC0003 Licence to operate a forklift truck is a current unit on the national training register (Release 1, 13 September 2018). It applies to a person required to hold a forklift truck high risk work licence. A forklift here has forks that can be raised 900 mm or more, and excludes pedestrian-operated trucks and pallet trucks.
Source: training.gov.au
TLILIC0004 Licence to operate an order picking forklift truck is a separate current unit (Release 1), used for the LO class. It is not the same as the standard forklift unit TLILIC0003.
Source: training.gov.au
WorkSafe WA lists LF (forklift truck) and LO (order picking forklift truck) as separate high risk work licence classes. A worker must hold the right licence and be over 18 to perform high risk work.
Source: www.worksafe.wa.gov.au
WorkSafe WA: you must be 18 or over to apply for a high risk work licence. The steps are training with an RTO, assessment by a regulator-accredited assessor, then an online application to WorkSafe.
Source: www.worksafe.wa.gov.au
Provider-stated (Civil Safety, QLD and WA): you have 60 days from course completion to apply for the licence, it is valid for five years, and there is a 12-month grace period for renewal before both assessments must be resat. WA courses run 1 to 2 days and QLD courses run 3 days.
Source: civilsafety.edu.au
Provider-stated (CfAT Training, Alice Springs): in the Northern Territory the licence is issued by NT WorkSafe through the Territory Business Centre, is valid for 5 years from the issue date, and can be renewed within 12 months of expiry or the course must be repeated. Participants must be over 18 to enrol.
Source: www.cfat.org.au
Provider-stated (Asset College, Launceston): in Tasmania the interim licence issued on completion must be lodged at a Service Tasmania outlet within 60 days, with the prescribed fee. Students must be 18 or older.
Source: www.asset.edu.au
Provider-stated (Risk Response + Rescue, NSW): SafeWork NSW sets pre-enrolment conditions, including a residential address in NSW and no recent suspended or cancelled WHS authorisation. Participants must be at least 18 and bring 100 points of identification.
Source: riskresponse.edu.au
Provider-stated (Australian Vocational Training, Victoria): after the course you receive a WorkSafe Notice of Assessment, which is lodged at Australia Post or online through myworksafe.vic.gov.au along with the lodgement fee. All students must be over 18.
Source: www.avtraining.edu.au
VIC: A high risk work licence is valid for 5 years. Renew within 12 months of expiry through myWorkSafe. After 12 months proof of exceptional circumstances is needed.
Source: www.worksafe.vic.gov.au
VIC: Apply within 60 calendar days of assessment. Fees are $77.70 per class for an application, $58.70 for a renewal and $58.70 for an interstate transfer.
Source: www.worksafe.vic.gov.au
VIC: Order a replacement card through myWorkSafe. A digital licence is available immediately. There is currently no fee, though the page says a fee may apply in future. Mail takes 20 to 25 business days. Not possible if renewal is due in 30 days or less.
Source: www.worksafe.vic.gov.au
SA: A high risk work licence lasts 5 years. Renewal is allowed only within 30 days before expiry. It can be renewed up to 12 months after expiry but the person is not licensed in the gap. After 12 months the person must retrain and be reassessed.
Source: safework.sa.gov.au
SA: Renewal needs a competency declaration. A new photo is required at least every 10 years, taken in person at a Service SA centre or Australia Post Photopoint with 100 points of ID. Allow about 6 weeks for the card. Phone 1300 365 255. No fee is stated on the page.
Source: safework.sa.gov.au
SA: A replacement (lost, stolen, defaced, destroyed or name change) is requested through the online portal using the licence number, or by email to swsahighriskwork@sa.gov.au or phone 1300 365 255. Licences issued interstate cannot be replaced. No fee is stated on the page.
Source: safework.sa.gov.au

Forklift questions answered

What is the forklift licence unit code?

TLILIC0003, Licence to operate a forklift truck. It is a current unit on training.gov.au (Release 1). Competence in the unit does not in itself give you a licence: you still apply to your state regulator for the LF class.

How much does a forklift licence cost?

Across 28 providers, published prices run $346 to $990, as listed on each provider's own page and last checked 10 October 2026. Check whether the regulator's licence fee is included, as providers state it differently. Subsidised TAFE places are not counted in that range.

What is the difference between a forklift and an order picker licence?

They are separate classes. LF is the standard forklift, unit TLILIC0003. LO is the order picking forklift, unit TLILIC0004. The unit defines a forklift as one with forks that raise 900 mm or more, and it excludes pedestrian-operated and pallet trucks.

How long does a forklift licence last?

WA and NSW say high risk work licences are valid for 5 years, and the NT provider CfAT says the same for the NT. In WA you can renew from 90 days before expiry to 12 months after it. In NSW you can renew up to 12 months after expiry, then you must retrain. Queensland pages do not state the term, so check with WorkSafe Queensland.

What are the age and entry requirements?

You must be 18 or over to apply in WA and NSW, and providers in the NT, Victoria and Tasmania say the same. NSW also requires adequate English, and one NSW provider lists pre-enrolment conditions such as a NSW residential address.

How do I get the licence after the forklift course?

Train with an RTO and be assessed by a regulator-accredited assessor, then apply to your state regulator. Apply within 60 days of assessment in NSW, Queensland and Tasmania. The training provider does not issue the licence.

How long is a forklift course?

Most providers run 2 days. Some run 3 days, such as Linfox in NSW and QLD and Assess To Lift in NSW. Experienced operators can sometimes do 1 day in WA. Check the provider's page for the format.

Want the full walkthrough? Read our Forklift guide.