Licence
High risk work licence, class LF, for forklift trucks
Source: WorkSafe Queensland: Forklift truck licence (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Employer guide
Hire a Forklift Operator in Australia
To hire a forklift operator, verify the high risk work licence, check the class matches your equipment and confirm the warehouse or transport award. CrossNation recruits forklift operators for employers across Australia. The fee is 12% of the annual salary, charged only on a successful placement.
By CrossNation Editorial Team. Sources checked 6 October 2026.
12% of annual salary
Charged only when a placement succeeds. No placement, no fee.
90-day placement guarantee
See our terms.
Official data
Key facts from official sources
Regulators
Issued by state and territory work health and safety regulators, for example WorkSafe Victoria
Source: WorkSafe Victoria: High risk work licence (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Example rule
Western Australia lists forklifts among work that needs a high risk work licence
Source: Government of Western Australia: High risk work licensing (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Modern award
Storage Services and Wholesale Award [MA000084], or another award by industry
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: List of awards (retrieved 6 October 2026)
What you need to know
How do you verify a forklift licence?
Operating a forklift truck requires a high risk work licence, and the LF class covers forklift trucks but not order-picking forklifts, which have their own class. Ask to see the licence card, check the class, the holder's name and the expiry, and record the check. The regulator in your state can confirm authenticity. Licences issued in one state are generally recognised in others, but confirm with your regulator if the person has moved. An operator without the right class cannot run the machine, so make it a condition of the offer.
What should the brief and induction cover?
Describe the equipment: counterbalance forklifts, reach trucks or order pickers, the racking height and the goods handled. Say whether work includes loading trucks, yard movements and cold storage, the shift pattern including nights and weekends, and any pick-rate targets. Your induction should cover pre-start checks, site traffic management, pedestrian separation, load limits and the warehouse system. A licence proves competence on the class, not knowledge of your site, so plan site-specific training and supervision for the first shifts.
Which award applies to forklift operators?
Warehouse operators are commonly covered by the Storage Services and Wholesale Award [MA000084], transport businesses by the Road Transport and Distribution Award [MA000038], and factories by a manufacturing award or an agreement. Large distribution centres often have enterprise agreements with their own shift penalties. We do not publish pay figures here. Confirm the instrument, set the classification and cost rosters using the Fair Work Pay Calculator, including the penalties for the shifts you need to fill.
What does a good forklift induction include?
A licence shows competence on the class, not on your site. Cover the layout, traffic routes and pedestrian zones, speed limits, racking rules and load capacities. Walk through the pre-start checklist for the specific machine, battery or gas handling, and how defects are reported and tagged. Run supervised shifts before the operator works unsupervised, and record the induction. Explain pick-rate expectations and how they relate to safety. Sites that invest here reduce damage to stock and racking and protect their people.
Before you brief a recruiter: forklift operator checklist
Checklist
- Sight the licence card and check the class covers your equipment
- Record the licence number and expiry
- Describe equipment, racking, goods and shift pattern
- Plan site-specific induction and supervised first shifts
- Confirm the award or agreement and classification
- Diarise licence renewal dates
Tell us the role, location and start date
The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to check the licence class?
Yes. The LF class covers forklift trucks, and order-picking forklifts have their own class. Match the class to your equipment.
Can a new operator start before their licence is issued?
They cannot operate a forklift truck until the licence is issued. You could employ them in other duties in the meantime.
Who pays for licence training?
It depends on the arrangement. If you require a licence as a condition of the job, state in the offer who pays and whether paid time is given for assessment.
How does CrossNation charge to recruit a forklift operator?
The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds, and placements carry a 90-day placement guarantee. There is no charge to send a brief. CrossNation recruits forklift operators for employers across Australia, and you can send the role, location and start date through the employer enquiry form.
Can I recruit an overseas forklift operator through CrossNation?
CrossNation recruits sponsorship-ready overseas candidates for employers that want them. The high risk work licence is issued by the state regulator and is separate from any visa. The employer holds or obtains its own approval, and CrossNation cannot promise a visa, an approval or a job. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.
What should I verify before I offer a forklift operator the job?
A high risk work licence is required to operate a forklift truck. The LF class does not cover order-picking forklifts. For a forklift operator, the award that commonly applies is the Storage Services and Wholesale Award (MA000084), but coverage depends on your industry and the person's duties, so confirm it with the Fair Work Ombudsman before you set the offer. Keep a copy of any licence, registration or check you sight for your forklift operator, and confirm their right to work in Australia before they start.