Delivered at our Stapylton training facility, conveniently located between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Weekly day courses and monthly night intakes available.
TLILIC0003 – Licence to operate a forklift truck
LF (Forklift High Risk Work Licence)
Warehousing, logistics, transport, construction, manufacturing
$65,000 - $75,000* pa or $30-$35* an hour
*SEEK data, Nov 2025
Get licensed to operate a forklift truck and boost your site safety and job opportunities.
TLILIC0003 – Licence to operate a forklift truck is a nationally recognised unit that covers the skills and knowledge required to safely operate a forklift across transport, warehousing, logistics and construction environments.
Training is delivered at OTJT’s Stapylton yard by experienced industry trainers using real forklifts and practical scenarios that reflect real job conditions. You’ll learn to operate safely, efficiently and in full compliance with WHS and licensing standards.
How to plan and prepare for forklift operations, including checking the load, surface conditions and work area hazards.
How to inspect and maintain the forklift before, during and after use, including brakes, steering, hydraulics and safety systems.
How to operate the forklift safely to lift, shift, stack and place loads of various sizes and weights within rated capacity.
How to calculate load weights, centres of gravity and stability limits.
How to travel and manoeuvre the forklift safely around obstacles and in confined areas.
How to communicate effectively with other workers and follow site traffic management plans.
How to complete shutdown procedures, secure the forklift and record any maintenance needs.
Safe pre-start checks and routine maintenance procedures.
Confident, controlled operation of a forklift under real-site conditions.
Correct load handling techniques to maintain stability and prevent accidents.
Clear communication and hazard awareness in shared workspaces.
Full compliance with WHS legislation, manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures.
Successful participants who meet all Elements and Performance Criteria, and demonstrate the required Knowledge and Performance Evidence, will receive a Statement of Attainment for TLILIC0003 – Licence to operate a forklift truck.
This confirms you’ve been trained and assessed as competent in the unit of competency. You’ll then complete a separate licensing assessment under the National Assessment Instruments (NAI) with a SafeWork Queensland approved assessor.
Once both are successfully completed, you can apply to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland for your High Risk Work Licence (LF – forklift truck).
^Blended learning at OTJT means you can knock over your theory online before you arrive, so your time on site is all about getting hands-on and building the skills you need.
Statement of Attainment: Upon achieving competence in this accredited unit of competency, you will be issued a physical and digital copy of a Statement of Attainment for your official records. Please note that USI transcripts are only updated once a year, so keep it somewhere safe. Don’t worry, though, if you do lose it, get in touch and we can issue a new one.
High-risk work licence (HRWL): Upon successful completion of the national assessment instruments (NAI), the assessor will give you a candidate assessment summary (CAS). This summary will legally allow you to use that licence to operate forklift trucks. The Office of Industrial Relations will then invite you by email to apply for a LF Class HRWL, after which you have just 60 days to apply or will need to be reassessed.
Students with HRWL’s from other states will need to apply to Safework Qld then have the option to transfer their qualification to their state HRWL.
1st Day/Night – Welcome: After a site induction, you’ll learn the fundamentals of forklift operating, covering the theory and practical elements of the course, including WHS. All students have the option to complete the theoretical learning online via e‑learning from the moment they are enrolled before course commencement, but it is not mandatory.
In your practical training, you’ll get hands-on with forklift operation under trainer supervision, including manoeuvring, stacking, and load handling.
2nd Day/Night – Put it into practice!: With the guidance of the training team, your new knowledge and practical skills will be honed and you’ll complete the unit of competency phase in a portfolio of work.
2nd Day/3rd Night – Assessment – NAI time: Once you’ve achieved competence in the unit, you will prepare and begin the knowledge, calculation and practical tasks as part of the national assessment instruments (NAI’s).
Please note that you need to successfully complete the knowledge and calculation assessments before moving on to the practical tasks. Once you’ve successfully completed all the NAI’s, you’ll receive a Candidate Assessment Summary (CAS) from your assessor and can then apply for a LF class high‑risk work licence (HRWL) from Workplace Health & Safety Queensland. Use this CAS as proof of your successful assessment until your HRWL arrives in the post.
Reassessments:
Should you not achieve competence in any of the NAIs, then you will be entitled to no more than one reassessment with no charge. At the RTO’s discretion, any additional reassessments will incur further fees of $250 each, including charges for retraining of $500 if required.
Please use this course structure as a guide. Many factors can influence course timings, such as the size of the group, weather conditions or a student’s time to achieve competence in the unit.
Holding an LF high risk work licence can open the door to forklift operator roles across warehousing, transport, manufacturing and construction support environments. Most employers require a current LF licence before considering applicants for these positions.
For a closer look at demand, typical requirements and where forklift roles are advertised in Queensland, see our forklift jobs in Queensland guide.
Forklifts are classified as high risk work in Australia. Completing TLILIC0003 – Licence to operate a forklift truck and holding a current LF licence allows you to legally operate a forklift in workplaces where high risk licensing applies.
To understand what forklift operators do day to day, see our forklift job description guide. For more detail on licensing requirements in Queensland, read our forklift licence explained page.
Forklifts are classified as high risk work in Australia. Completing TLILIC0003 – Licence to operate a forklift truck and holding a current LF licence allows you to legally operate a forklift in workplaces where high risk licensing applies.
To understand what forklift operators do day to day, see our forklift job description guide.
For more detail on licensing requirements in Queensland, read our forklift licence explained page.
The table below summarises the level of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ASCF)* (and DigComp) required for this course.
Learning | Reading | Writing | Oral Communication | Numeracy | Digital Literacy |
ACSF 2 | ACSF 3 | ACSF 3 | ACSF 3 | ACSF 3 | DigComp A2 |
We hear that. Our experience is that students often find the numeracy component a challenging part of this course and HRWL courses in general.
If numeracy is a challenge for you, then we suggest you get started with the trainer video tutorials that walk you through some calculations you’ll need to learn related to load chart and pad sizing calculations. You’ll be sent a link to our ‘Training Tid Bits’ portal as soon as you’re enrolled so you can get ahead before you start training on site.
Check out our FAQ’s on this page below for some more info about our learning resources designed to set up all students for success, regardless of their capabilities, or find our Student Support Policy here.
For more information about the ACSF visit the DEWR website: https://www.dewr.gov.au/skills-information-training-providers/australian-core-skills-framework
Skill Type | ACSF Level |
Learning | 2 |
Reading | 3 |
Writing | 3 |
Oral Communication | 3 |
Numeracy | 3 |
Digital Literacy | DigComp A2 |
We hear that. Our experience is that students often find the numeracy component a challenging part of this course and HRWL courses in general.
If numeracy is a challenge for you, then we suggest you get started with the trainer video tutorials that walk you through some calculations you’ll need to learn related to load chart and pad sizing calculations. You’ll be sent a link to our ‘Training Tid Bits’ portal as soon as you’re enrolled so you can get ahead before you start training on site.
Check out our FAQ’s on this page below for some more info about our learning resources designed to set up all students for success, regardless of their capabilities, or find our Student Support Policy here.
For more information about the ACSF visit the DEWR website: https://www.dewr.gov.au/skills-information-training-providers/australian-core-skills-framework
For those who are CFMEU members and have an account with BERT. Members commonly access BERT Training Funding to cover part of the ‘out of pocket’ cost in conjunction with CSQ funding, which covers the rest. The member may also need to make a further contribution.
When CSQ Funding is not available, then BERT members often access this fund as an alternative to support the cost of their training.
Should the participant not achieve competence in any of the NAIs, then they will be entitled to no more than one reassessment with no charge. At the RTO’s discretion, any additional reassessments will incur further fees of $250 each, including charges for retraining of $500 if required.
Please use this course structure as a guide. Many factors can influence course timings, such as the size of the group, weather conditions or a student’s time to achieve competence in the unit.
| Item | Full Price | CSQ Funding | Evening Surcharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forklift Ticket (LF) | $650 | No longer a CSQ funded course | +$200 (evening course) |
Small Training Provider of the Year
Small Training Provider of the Year
plus live-machine practice—real skills, real fun.
means personalised coaching.
and night classes every 4-5 weeks to fit in with your schedule.
including a 101t crawler, 25 t truck crane, 14 t Franna, telehandler and 2 tower cranes for hands‑on training.
midway Brisbane ↔ Gold Coast—easy access.
access to online course materials as soon as you enrol.
leaving your days free to get on with the job.
split your training across days or nights, even multiple weeks.
face-to-face and e-learning elements available.
of students would recommend our training to others.
Source: OTJ Training ASQA Learner Survey 2024
of students said that the training prepared them well for work.
Source: OTJ Training ASQA Learner Survey 2024
Yes – you must hold an LF High Risk Work Licence.
2 days or 3 nights including assessment. The industry standard is 3 days, but we operate longer days so you can get done sooner and have less time off work!
Yes – over 3 nights including assessment. Evening intakes are usually available every 4-5 weeks.
No – unfortunately this course is no longer available as part of the CSQ Short Course program.
Steel cap boots, PPE, 100 pts of ID, and your USI.
Yes – popular bundles include Telehandler, EWP, Vehicle Loading Crane and Integrated Tool Carrier.
*SEEK Data, Nov25
^Blended learning at OTJT means you can knock over your theory online before you arrive, so your time on site is all about getting hands-on and building the skills you need.
Request a chat with our friendly
team to inquire about your study options.
