A forklift licence is valid for five years from the date it’s issued, but what happens when it expires? WorkSafe Queensland (WHSQ) states that high-risk work licences (a forklift licence, for example) must be renewed every five years.
To ensure forklift operators don’t miss this, WHSQ will send a renewal notice 4–6 weeks before the expiry date. The licence expiry date is also printed in the bottom right corner of a licence card, so you don’t really need to wait for your reminder notice to renew it.
It’s worth noting that while a forklift licence obtained in Queensland is valid across Australia, renewal processes may vary slightly depending on the state.
What Happens When a Forklift Licence Expires?
A forklift licence is a type of High Risk Work Licence (HRWL) in Australia. Across all states and territories, including QLD and NSW, the licence is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. Ideally, it should be renewed before expiry for uninterrupted work. You can easily check your licence’s expiry on your physical card to make sure it doesn’t lapse.
If you apply for renewal after the expiry date, your licence status becomes legally “expired”. You’ll have to wait until your application is approved, meaning you won’t be able to continue performing any high-risk work duties in the meantime.
Remember, there is no grace period for actual forklift use. Even if your licence expired yesterday, driving today means you’re already operating unlicensed.
Renewing an Expired Licence – 12 Month Grace Period
Have you forgotten to renew your forklift licence? Don’t stress. Forgetting to renew your licence can be inconvenient, but it’s not irreversible. Since both WorkSafe Queensland and SafeWork NSW allow a 12-month renewal window after expiry, you can still turn things around. However, you can’t operate forklifts while waiting for your application to be processed.
If more than 12 months have passed since your licence expired, you’ll be required to complete the full forklift licence course and assessment again (TLILIC0003 Forklift Licence) to regain your licence. You may have to retake both the theory and practical components through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) such as Major Training.
How to Renew Your Forklift Licence?
In QLD, WorkSafe provides the High Risk Work Licence Online Services platform for any HRW licence renewal. To process your licence renewal, you’ll need the following details and do the steps below:
- HRW licence number and personal information
- renewal notice number
- Queensland Digital Identification (you’ll be prompted to log into or create a QDI if you haven’t already)
- customer reference number (CRN) from one of the following TMR-issued licence cards:
- driver’s licence
- proof of age card
- marine licence indicator card
- industry authority card, or
- HRW product number provided by TMR from a previous HRW application.
- pay the application fee ($99.63 as of time of writing) using a Visa or Mastercard
What is Forklift Refresher Training?
While a forklift licence is valid for 5 years, that doesn’t mean training stops entirely. Refresher training is a short course meant to update a worker’s existing skills and knowledge for a particular task. It’s not a full course for beginners, more of a way to ensure employees remain competent, safe, and up-to-date with current industry standards and regulations.
In terms of forklift operation, refresher forklift training helps reinforce safe operating practices, correct handling techniques, and awareness of workplace hazards. It may also cover any changes to legislation, codes of practice, or site-specific procedures that affect how equipment should be used.
This isn’t a legal requirement, but it’s a widely adopted best-practice safety standard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Long Does a Forklift Licence Last in Australia?
A forklift licence, officially known as a High Risk Work Licence (HRWL), is valid for 5 years across all states and territories in Australia.
Can I Still Drive a Forklift With an Expired Licence?
No. Once your forklift licence expires, you must stop operating immediately.
Can I Renew My Licence After It Expires?
Yes, but only within a 12-month grace period. During this time, you can renew it without retraining, but you still cannot operate a forklift until the renewal is completed. Renewal will still be done through the HRW licence online services.
What Happens If My Licence Has Been Expired for More Than 12 Months?
If more than 12 months have passed, you’ll need to complete the full TLILIC0003 Forklift Truck Licence course again through a Registered Training Organisation (like Major Training) before you can re-apply.
What Does a Refresher Course Consist of?
Refresher training isn’t legally mandated to renew your licence, but many workplaces require a Verification of Competency (VOC) every 1–2 years to maintain safe operating standards. A refresher course is designed for forklift drivers, so it skips the introductory basics and focuses strictly on safety, compliance updates, and correcting bad habits.
What’s the Difference Between Refresher and Retraining?
Refresher training and retraining are often used interchangeably, but they actually serve different purposes. Refresher training is designed for licensed or already competent operators who just need to update their skills and reinforce safe practices.
Retraining, on the other hand, is required when a person’s licence has expired beyond the grace renewal period (or when they’re no longer considered competent to work). It involves completing the full training and assessment process again, including both theory and practical components, through an RTO.
Is My Forklift Licence Still Active During Renewal?
Yes. Your forklift licence will remain current during the application process, as long as a renewal application has been submitted and paid for prior to or on the expiry date.
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