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Forklift Licence Renewal: How to Renew a High Risk Work Licence in Each State

Last updated 10 October 2026

A forklift licence is a high risk work licence, and it lasts five years. You renew it with the regulator in your state, not with a training provider, and you do not redo the course if you renew on time. Most states let you renew up to 12 months after expiry, but you cannot legally drive a forklift in the gap. The same rules apply to every high risk work class, from LF and LO to cranes, dogging and EWP.

Licence term

5 years

Late renewal

Up to 12 months

NSW renewal 2026-27

$88

Retrain needed

After 12 months expired

In this guide

Renewal window and fee by state

StateWhen you can renewRegulator fee
NSWUp to 12 months after expiry$88 (2026-27)
QLDUp to 12 months after expiryCheck WorkSafe Queensland
WA90 days before to 12 months after expiry$44 ex GST
VICWithin 12 months of the expiry date$58.70
SA30 days before to 12 months after expiryNot stated on the renewal page

Renew a forklift licence in NSW

SafeWork NSW says a high risk work licence expires after five years, and any class you add later expires with it. You renew online through Service NSW, up to 12 months after expiry. After that you retrain and get reassessed. The 2026-27 fees are $88 for a five-year renewal and $43 for a replacement card, or $36 if you order the replacement online.

NSW renewal steps

  1. Watch for the renewal reminderSafeWork NSW sends it about 60 days before expiry.
  2. Renew online through Service NSWCall 13 10 50 if you cannot renew online.
  3. Pay the renewal fee$88 for a five-year renewal in 2026-27.
  4. Keep working if you lodged before expiryThe renewed licence runs five years from the previous expiry date.

Renew a forklift licence in Queensland

WorkSafe Queensland says the licence stays valid if you lodge the renewal on or before the expiry date. You can lodge up to 12 months late, but you are not licensed in the gap. After 12 months the renewal is not accepted unless extenuating circumstances apply, and you retrain and get reassessed.

Queensland renewal steps

  1. Watch for the renewal noticeWorkSafe Queensland sends it 4 to 6 weeks before expiry.
  2. Renew through HRW Licence Online ServicesYou need a Queensland Digital Identity, a Visa or Mastercard and a competency declaration.
  3. Pay within 14 daysOtherwise the application is withdrawn.
  4. Call 1300 362 128 if you get stuck

Renew a forklift licence in WA

The WA Government renewal page says you can renew online from 90 days before to 12 months after expiry, and you can keep working if you renew before the licence expires. After 12 months you are reassessed and make a new application. The WA fee schedule lists $44 ex GST to renew and $29 for a replacement.

WA renewal steps

  1. Renew online from 90 days before expiry
  2. Pay the renewal fee$44 ex GST (fees updated 3 July 2026).
  3. Keep working if you renewed before expiry
  4. Call 1300 424 091 for help

Renew a forklift licence in Victoria

WorkSafe Victoria says you can apply to renew within 12 months of the licence expiry date, through myWorkSafe. If the licence has been expired for more than 12 months, you need proof of exceptional circumstances that stopped you from renewing. The renewal fee is $58.70.

Renew a forklift licence in SA

SafeWork SA only takes renewals within 30 days before expiry, or up to 12 months after. You are not licensed in the gap after expiry, and after 12 months you retrain and get reassessed. The renewal page does not state a fee.

SA renewal steps

  1. Lodge within 30 days before expirySafeWork SA only takes renewals in that window, or up to 12 months after.
  2. Complete the competency declaration
  3. Update your photo if it is dueA new photo is needed at least every 10 years, taken at a Service SA centre or Australia Post Photopoint with 100 points of ID.
  4. Allow about 6 weeks for the cardPhone 1300 365 255.

If your forklift licence has expired

  • Expired less than 12 months ago: renew with the regulator as normal in NSW, Queensland, WA and SA. You cannot drive a forklift at work until the renewal goes through.
  • Expired more than 12 months ago: book the course and assessment again, then apply for a new licence. Victoria and Queensland consider exceptional or extenuating circumstances.

If you need to retrain, our forklift licence comparison lists published course prices from providers in each state.

Moved interstate

SafeWork NSW says a licence must be issued by the state where you usually live, and an interstate licence can be transferred into NSW if it is current or within 12 months of expiry. WorkSafe Queensland renews an interstate licence that expires within 3 months or has been expired for no more than 12 months. Victoria charges $58.70 for an interstate transfer.

Frequently asked questions

How often do you renew a forklift licence?

Every five years. A forklift licence is a high risk work licence (class LF), and NSW, Queensland, WA, Victoria and SA all state a five-year term. The renewal rules are the same for every high risk work class in that state.

Can I renew an expired forklift licence?

Usually yes, if it expired less than 12 months ago. NSW, Queensland, WA and SA accept renewals up to 12 months after expiry, and Victoria takes renewals within 12 months of the expiry date. After that you retrain and get reassessed, unless the regulator accepts extenuating or exceptional circumstances.

Can I drive a forklift while my licence renewal is processing?

If you lodged the renewal before the licence expired, yes in NSW, Queensland and WA, which all say the licence stays valid. If it had already expired, Queensland and SA both say you are not licensed in the gap, so you cannot do the work until it is renewed.

How much does it cost to renew a forklift licence?

The regulator fees we found: NSW $88 for a five-year renewal (2026-27), WA $44 ex GST, and Victoria $58.70. Queensland and SA renewal pages we read did not state a fee. You do not pay an RTO to renew unless the licence has lapsed past the 12-month window.

Do I need to redo the forklift course to renew?

No, not if you renew in time. Renewal is an application to the regulator, often with a declaration that you are still competent. You only redo training and the assessment if the licence has been expired for more than 12 months.

I moved interstate. Where do I renew?

With the regulator in the state where you now live. SafeWork NSW says a licence must be issued by the state where you usually live, and WorkSafe Queensland renews interstate licences that expire within 3 months or expired no more than 12 months ago.

Sources

Last updated 10 October 2026. Facts on this page come from the sources below.

The sources are regulator and government pages read in October 2026. Fees change each financial year, so check the linked page before you pay. We list a fee only where the regulator publishes one. Tasmania, the NT and the ACT are not covered yet, so check with your regulator there.

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