MiningReady
South Australia

Forklift Licence SA: Adelaide Cost, Steps and Providers

In South Australia a forklift licence is a high risk work licence from SafeWork SA. You must be over 18, live in SA and pass assessment with an RTO, which gives you a Notice of Satisfactory Assessment. Pay the application fee within 60 days. The licence lasts 5 years and the card takes about 8 weeks.

Last checked 13 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm with SafeWork SA or the provider before you book.

Forklift SA at a glance

Unit code
TLILIC0003
Regulator
SafeWork SA
Price in SA
$595 to $710 (3 published prices)
SA providers compared
3
Last checked
13 October 2026

Forklift courses in South Australia

Published prices run $595 to $710 across 3 of the 3 SA providers we compared, taken from each provider’s own course page and sorted cheapest first. Nobody pays for their position.

  • Access Training Centre$595
    Duration
    2 days (TLILIC0003)
    Delivery
    face-to-face
    Where
    Dudley Park, Port Augusta, Port Pirie
    RTO
    40101

    From $595 without a CITB subsidy and from $300 with one. Prices vary for metro and regional courses and for Friday and Saturday courses. A separate fee is payable to SafeWork SA for the licence.

  • Red Earth Training Solutions$600
    Duration
    Experienced pathway 2 days (about 16 hours); beginner pathway 3 days (about 24 hours)
    Delivery
    face-to-face
    Where
    Burton
    RTO
    40309

    Experienced (2 days) $600 and beginner (3 days) $730, GST-free. CITB subsidised fees of $305 and $435 are subject to eligibility. The SafeWork SA licence fee is not included.

  • Forklift Quality Training$710
    Duration
    3 days (24 hours), beginners course
    Delivery
    face-to-face
    Where
    Adelaide
    RTO
    45625

    $710 total weekday course cost for the beginners course, or $415 with a CITB subsidy (see the provider's eligibility criteria). Onsite delivery in metropolitan Adelaide is also offered.

Working in another state? Every Forklift provider we compared, by state.

Forklift rules in South Australia

  • 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

  • SA (SafeWork SA): you must be over 18, live in South Australia and complete training for the class. Apply in the jurisdiction where you trained.

    Source: safework.sa.gov.au

  • SA (SafeWork SA): after training you receive a Notice of Satisfactory Assessment (NSA) invoice, valid for 60 days. Pay the application fee at a Service SA Customer Service Centre or an Australia Post Photopoint outlet within 60 days. Bring 100 points of ID, a sample signature and a photograph. The page states no dollar figure.

    Source: safework.sa.gov.au

  • SA (SafeWork SA): allow 8 weeks for the card. If it has not arrived, phone SafeWork SA on 1300 365 255 (option 2). An NSA lets you work for 60 days after it is issued if you have applied for the licence in that period.

    Source: safework.sa.gov.au

  • SA (SafeWork SA): forklift is a class of high risk work licence. Assessment is by an accredited assessor affiliated with an RTO and has a written theory exam and a practical test, with written feedback. Find RTOs on training.gov.au by searching scope for South Australia.

    Source: safework.sa.gov.au

  • SA (SafeWork SA): high risk work qualifications are recognised nationally. If you move to South Australia, SafeWork SA recommends converting your licence to one issued by SafeWork SA.

    Source: safework.sa.gov.au

Forklift SA questions answered

How do I get a forklift licence in SA?

You must be over 18, live in South Australia and complete training for the class. Assessment is a written exam and a practical test with an accredited assessor. You then receive a Notice of Satisfactory Assessment and pay the application fee at a Service SA Customer Service Centre or Australia Post Photopoint outlet within 60 days.

How much does a forklift licence cost in SA?

There are two costs. The course is paid to the RTO, and the Adelaide prices we found run from $595 to $730 before any CITB subsidy (see below). The SafeWork SA application fee is paid separately, and its page states no dollar figure.

How do I renew a forklift licence in SA?

Renewal is allowed only within 30 days before expiry and needs a competency declaration. You can renew up to 12 months after expiry, but you are not licensed in the gap. After 12 months you must retrain and be reassessed.

How long does a forklift licence card take in SA?

Allow 8 weeks. If it has not arrived, phone SafeWork SA on 1300 365 255 (option 2). Your Notice of Satisfactory Assessment lets you work for 60 days after it is issued if you have applied for the licence in that period.

How do I replace a lost forklift licence in SA?

Use the online portal with your licence number, or email swsahighriskwork@sa.gov.au or phone 1300 365 255. SafeWork SA cannot replace licences issued in other states. The page states no fee.

Can I use an interstate forklift licence in SA?

High risk work qualifications are recognised nationally. If you move to South Australia, SafeWork SA recommends converting your licence to one issued by SafeWork SA.

Forklift in other states

Where to next