Forklift Training Melbourne and Victoria – How to Get a Forklift License

With recent changes to licensing requirements Forklift Training Melbourne and Victoria can appear to be complicated. In this article, we look at Forklift Training Melbourne and Victoria in detail and decipher the requirements so you don’t have to.

Forklifts in the Workplace

Forklifts are a common sight in many industrial workplaces around Melbourne and Victoria. They are the work horse in many facilities and unfortunately come with inherent risks to both people and other equipment. Forklifts are heavy, unstable and powerful and if they are not used in a controlled manner can present significant risk to others.

It is therefore important that those operating a forklift have the relevant skills and qualifications. Despite having relatively robust methods for conducting Forklift Training Melbourne on average approximately 250 workers per year in Victoria alone get injured by workplace forklift accidents. In recent years WorkSafe have campaigned hard to reduce these injury numbers but despite their success the message remains the same: Forklifts and People don’t mix.

Recent changes to forklift licensing requirements by WorkSafe in June 2017 will further help in reducing the numbers of workers injured in Victorian workplaces each year with the focus on ensuring that forklift training assessors are appropriately qualified and are able to conduct high quality training of students.

Forklift Training Melbourne – What’s Involved?

There are a number of private training organisations that conduct Forklift Training Melbourne and around Victoria. In order to conduct forklift training and issue a forklift license a company must be a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or fall under the supervision of an RTO. Recent changes to the Forklift Licenses in Melbourne and Victoria by WorkSafe in June 2017 require both RTO’s and individual assessors to be registered with WorkSafe.

An individual trainer can become a WorkSafe approved Assessor by being assessed and approved by WorkSafe to complete Forklift Training. Once approved the Assessor must associate themselves with a WorkSafe approved RTO in order to be able to complete training and issue forklift licenses. It is both the responsibility of the Assessor and the RTO to ensure that the appropriate level of training is being completed.

About the Forklift License

Operating a forklift in Victoria requires a license to perform high risk work issued by WorkSafe Victoria under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017. A high risk license is valid for up to five years and the date of expiry is shown on the licence card.

Once completing you Forklift Training Melbourne and in Victoria you will be presented with a Notification of Assessment (NOA). You have 60 days to take this NOA to a local Australia Post outlet and to apply for you license from WorkSafe. Failure to do so within 60 days will result in the NOA becoming void and you will have to re-sit the assessment. Fees for High Risk Licenses are presented in the WorkSafe Victoria website.

Forklift License – Theory Component

In order to obtain a forklift license in Victoria you are required to undergo training followed by both a written and practical assessment. The written assessment comprises a test of 58 questions covering a range of topics that will have been taught in the preceding training sessions including forklift maintenance, forklift operation and load weights.

Typical Forklift Training Melbourne sessions will span over one to two days dependant on experience. A beginner’s course is typically two days with the first day comprising a theory component and practical drive. The theory component covers a range of topics relevant to safely operating a forklift.

Forklift License – Practical Component

The practical component of Forklift Training Melbourne and in Victoria typically comprises both stationary checks such as battery and fuel levels along with designated manoeuvres that allow you to demonstrate your skill on the forklift. Over the duration of your training course you will be instructed by your assessor on how to manoeuvre and operate the forklift correctly. In order to obtain your forklift license you will be required to undergo a practical assessment.

Forklift License – What Are Your Options?

If you are interested in obtaining your forklift license then Start Training can assist. We’re always happy to offer advice and guidance to students on their options regarding obtaining their forklift license. Feel free to contact us on (03) 9756 0244 for further information or check out our FAQ and Forklift Licence Melbourne Pages.