A forklift licence is an attractive skill to have for potential employers in the labour hire and warehousing industry.
Forklift drivers can be employed in a range of roles, such as:
- Logistics clerk/assistant
- Packer
- Store person
- Truck driver
- Warehouse manager/operations manager/assistant
Forklifts are used to transport containers, crates and bulky items which are too heavy to be lifted or moved to alternate locations. Drivers must have a forklift licence to operate a forklift to move these items safely.
Having this qualification makes you a multi skilled and desirable employee. It can be a point of difference between you and other candidates and means that you’ll be able to do more than just the basic grunt work in a warehousing or labouring role where forklifts are often used.
Having this qualification makes you a multi skilled and desirable employee. It can be a point of difference between you and other candidates and means that you’ll be able to do more than just the basic grunt work in a warehousing or labouring role where forklifts are often used.
Here’s what you need to know about getting your forklift licence:
- You need to be at least 18 years old
- You need to be fluent in English, written and verbal
- You need to be able to provide 100 points of ID (passport, drivers licence, birth certificate etc.
- There are two types of forklift licence:
- LF class licence – this only allows you to operate forklift trucks
- LO class licence – this allows you to only operate an order/stock picker forklift
So how do you get your forklift licence and become a forklift driver?
The process involves 3 main steps:
- Sit a training and assessment course
A nationally recognised course such as Star Training & Assessing’s Licence to Operate a Forklift Truck is aligned with industry requirements which will provide you with the experience in a broad range of workplace situations.
The course content covers everything to meet relevant Australian standards including: hazard prevention, specifications and instructions, how to conduct routine checks, plan work, safe operation, shift load, shut down equipment and secure site. - Assessment for licence
To get your Forklift licence a written, mathematical and practical assessment will be conducted – so pay attention! - Licence application
Once the practical assessment has been successfully completed you will need to submit an application in person at an Australia Post branch to Work Health & Safety within 60 days.
The more licences you have, the more your job search can expand.