Forklift Operator (NSW)

Forklift Operator (NSW/ACT)

Education and Training:

To become a forklift operator you usually have to obtain a licence to Perform High Risk Work issued by WorkCover NSW or WorkSafe ACT. To gain a licence, you will need to register with an approved Registered Training Organisation and work under the supervision of a licensed operator. You will also need to keep an approved logbook to record competencies achieved during training. Assessment by an independent assessor will then be required. The Perform High Risk Work Licence is issued under the National Standard for Licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work.

You can also become a forklift operator through an apprenticeship or traineeship in Transport and Logistics (Warehousing and Storage) or Warehousing and Storage. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10. Ask your career adviser about the possibility of starting some of this training in school.

Additional Information:

You must be 18 years of age to be eligible to obtain a Perform High Risk Work Licence. However, training may commence at a younger age.

Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Transport and Logistics or Resources and Infrastructure Training Packages that will expand your career opportunities within this industry.

Related Courses:

While the following courses are related to this occupation, they may not necessarily lead directly to employment, nor provide the most direct pathway to the occupation. Courses which provide preliminary or informal training, as well as those which provide additional job skills following initial qualifications may also be listed.

*Course is offered by more than one institution. Click link for details.

Employment Opportunities:

Forklift operators work in warehouses in the wholesale, manufacturing, freight forwarding and primary industries. Federal, state and territory government departments also employ forklift operators. Some forklift operators also perform other tasks such as stores or clerical work. Promotion to positions such as supervisor may be possible in larger firms.

The safety training requirements for forklift operators have increased in an effort to improve safety and productivity, as well as reduce the costs of downtime due to injury.