Our character for the day is Simon, a hardworking warehouse manager in Melbourne who excelled at operating forklifts during his early days. He enjoyed the thrill of navigating heavy goods with precision and felt a sense of pride in his contribution to the logistic chains of businesses. However, he climbed the career ladder and slowly distanced himself from forklift operations. Lately, he has been feeling the urge to get back to the roots of his career and operate a forklift again. The only setback? His licence expired 18 months ago.

Propelled by his newfound motivation, Simon embarked on a journey to navigate the process of renewing his expired forklift licence in Australia. Does his situation resonate with you? Do you share the same conundrum as Simon? Then tag along as we map out a clear step-by-step process of renewing your expired forklift licence.

Step 1: Understand the Licensing Regulations

In Australia, the licensing standards for forklift operation are governed by both state and federal regulations. The licensing procedure is handled by the relevant state’s regulatory authority, commonly known as WorkSafe or SafeWork.

Though regulations might slightly vary by state, one rule is crystal clear across Australia: if a forklift licence has expired for 12 months or more, the licence holder must complete a full training and assessment to obtain a new licence.

To be like Simon, you must first understand the implications of an expired licence and how it affects your eligibility to operate a forklift.

Step 2: Enrol in a Forklift Training Course

Given that you must go through the same process as a beginner, the first step is to enrol in a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that offers forklift training. Australia is home to approximately 5,000 RTOs, ensuring that you can find one near your location.

Ensure that your chosen RTO is accredited to run High Risk Work (HRW) licence training, as a forklift licence falls into this category. The training will typically cover operating a forklift, essential safety regulations, and practical skills assessment.

Step 3: Complete the Training Course

After successful enrollment, you will then begin your training. The duration of the course will vary, but typically, training courses run for two days, equalling about 16 hours of training. Ensure you participate actively and take ample notes, both theoretical and practical aspects are essential for your assessment.

Step 4: Sit for the Assessment

Upon completion of the training course, you will be required to pass an assessment. The Work Health and Safety (WHS) stipulates that this assessment consists of both a written test and a practical demonstration of forklift operation. Usually, if you have completed your training course diligently, passing this assessment should not pose a significant obstacle.

Step 5: Apply for a New Licence

Once your assessment is successfully completed, you will receive a Notice of Assessment (NOA). After acquiring the NOA, you can now apply for a new forklift licence. Each regulatory body has different time limits within which you must make the application following your assessment, so make sure you check this on your state’s WorkSafe website.

Submit your application at an Australian Post along with a passport-sized photo, identification documents, the NOA, and the required fee. It may take approximately 60 days for the processing and the arrival of your plastic licence card.

Step 6: Continual Professional Development

Now that you’re once again a licensed forklift operator, like Simon, avoid falling into the trap of letting your licence lapse. Engage in continual professional development to keep your skills up to date, safety standards refreshed, and more importantly, your licence renewed on time.

This guide hinged on Simon successfully renewing his forklift licence. By emulating his step-by-step approach, you too will be equipped with the right information and process to renew your expired forklift licence. Remember, your employer’s safety, reputation and the security of your workplace largely depend on this licence. Just like Simon, treat the process with the due respect it warrants.

Turn your potential into action by enrolling in our forklift operations course today. Visit our website,  email us: general course enquiries or call us at 02 4201 0418 to kick start your journey in the field of high-risk operations.

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The Team at Achieve