How do I get a forklift ticket in Australia?

How do I get a forklift ticket in Australia?

To get a forklift ticket in Australia, you need to complete training and a formal assessment with an approved provider, then apply for a High Risk Work Licence through your state or territory regulator. Most first-time operators need an LF licence, but order-picking forklifts need an LO licence instead — worth confirming which one the job actually requires before you book.

At BORACK, a forklift licence is what moves you from Level 2 to Level 3 as a Racking Installer. Once you've passed your Level 2 assessment, we'll help you arrange it, and we'll reimburse the cost six months after you're licensed.
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What is a forklift ticket?

"Forklift ticket" is the everyday name for a forklift High Risk Work Licence. It shows that you have been trained and assessed as competent to operate a specific class of forklift safely.

The licence is recognised across Australia, although the application process is managed by each state and territory.

A forklift licence is not just about driving a machine. Training covers how to inspect the forklift, assess the load, operate around people and racking, stack safely, and respond to hazards before they become a problem.
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Which forklift licence do you need?

There are two main forklift licence classes.

LF — Forklift truck

The LF licence is the one most people mean when they say "forklift ticket." It covers forklift trucks such as counterbalance and reach forklifts. These are powered industrial trucks with a mast and elevating load carriage that can raise the forks or another attachment 900 mm or more above the ground.

If you are applying for general warehouse, logistics or installation work, LF is usually the licence employers are looking for.

LO — Order-picking forklift truck

The LO licence is for order-picking forklifts, also called stock pickers. On these machines, the operator controls move up with the load carriage.

You may see them in high-bay warehouses, furniture warehouses or narrow-aisle operations. If a job ad mentions an order picker or stock picker, ask the employer whether they require an LO licence before you book training.
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How do you get a forklift ticket?

The process is straightforward, but it is not something you can complete with an online-only course.

1. Check the job ad or ask the employer which forklift you will need to operate.
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2. Find a Registered Training Organisation that can provide the correct High Risk Work training and assessment in your state or territory.
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3. Enrol in the correct course — usually TLILIC0003 Licence to operate a forklift truck for LF, or TLILIC0004 Licence to operate an order picking forklift truck for LO.
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4. Complete the theory and practical training.
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5. Pass the formal assessment with an accredited High Risk Work assessor.
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6. Lodge your licence application with your state or territory regulator within the required timeframe.

You must be at least 18 to hold a High Risk Work Licence. Bring the identification, PPE and documents your provider asks for. You will usually also need a Unique Student Identifier (USI).

Do not choose a course based on price alone. Confirm that the provider can deliver the right training and assessment for your state, and that the course matches the licence class you need.
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How long does it take to get a forklift ticket?

Many first-time LF courses run over two or three days, combining theory, practical training and assessment. If you already have safe operating experience, some providers may offer a shorter pathway — but the assessment standard does not change.

After you pass, you need to apply for your High Risk Work Licence. Processing times vary by state and territory, so ask your provider what evidence you will receive after assessment and when you can legally start operating.

Give yourself enough time if a job requires a forklift licence. Booking early is much easier than trying to sort it out the day before you start.
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How much does a forklift ticket cost?

As a general reference, a standard LF course typically costs somewhere between $350 and $550 across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane (as of 2026). The total can also include your High Risk Work Licence application fee, and prices vary depending on your city, provider, licence class and whether you need extra training time.

Before booking, ask what is included in the advertised fee. Check whether it covers the practical assessment, statement of attainment and any regulator application fee, or whether these are charged separately.

Be careful with deals that seem unusually cheap. A proper course needs practical training and a formal assessment — not just a quick online certificate.
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Do you need a White Card to get a forklift ticket?

You do not need a White Card just to complete forklift licence training.

However, if you will be using a forklift on a construction site, you will usually need a White Card as well. Your White Card covers general construction induction, while your forklift licence covers the specific high-risk work of operating the forklift.

For a full breakdown, read: How do I get a White Card in Australia?
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Will a forklift ticket help you get a job?

It can. A forklift ticket makes your application stronger for warehouse, logistics and installation roles where moving materials is part of the job — it shows you've taken a genuine step toward being useful on site from day one.

It won't replace reliability or the basics though: sorted work rights, honesty about your experience, and a willingness to keep learning still matter most. Read more: How do I get a construction job in Australia?

Chasing a scissor lift ticket too? It's a separate credential, but useful for the same kind of roles. Read more: How do I get a scissor lift ticket in Australia?
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What should you know before operating a forklift at work?

Holding an LF or LO licence does not mean you can jump straight onto any machine without guidance.

Before operating, you need to understand the specific forklift, its load capacity, attachments, travel routes, pedestrian areas and site rules. Complete the workplace induction, carry out pre-start checks, wear the required PPE and speak up if something does not feel safe.

Forklifts and warehouse racking need careful operation. One rushed turn, unstable load or missed exclusion zone can put people at risk. A good operator stays aware, follows the process and never treats safety as an optional extra.
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Ready to put your ticket to use?

If you want practical work, a crew that will teach you properly and a role you can build a career out of, apply for a Racking Installer role with BORACK.

We support team members who want to grow and upskill. After completing your Level 2 assessment, we'll help you arrange your forklift licence. After six months of receiving your licence, we'll reimburse the course cost (T&C’s apply).