Does a Forklift Licence Expire in Queensland? How to Renew Yours

Most people get their forklift licence, put the card in their wallet and don’t think about it again. Then a supervisor checks the card during a site audit and finds the date in the corner has already passed. Renewing is simple. The catch is that you have to do it before that date.

Does a forklift licence expire in Queensland?

Yes. A forklift licence (LF class for standard forklifts, LO class for order-picking forklifts) is a High Risk Work Licence issued by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, and it has to be renewed every five years. The expiry date is printed on the bottom right corner of your licence card.

That five-year cycle is what separates it from training like a White Card or Working at Heights, which are Statements of Attainment with no legislated expiry. If you’re unsure which class your card covers, our guide to forklift licence types explains LF and LO.

Will I get a reminder before it expires?

You should. WorkSafe Queensland sends a renewal notice 4 to 6 weeks before the expiry date, by post to your last known residential address and by email. The notice includes a renewal notice number you’ll need for the application.

The notice only reaches you if your details are current. If you’ve moved since the licence was issued, update your address through High Risk Work Licence Online Services or by calling 1300 362 128. If your expiry date is close and no notice has arrived, call that number rather than waiting.

How do I renew my forklift licence?

You renew online through WorkSafe Queensland’s High Risk Work Licence renewal page. Australia Post outlets and Transport and Main Roads customer service centres don’t process renewals.

Have these ready before you start:

• Your licence number and personal details as printed on the card
• The renewal notice number from your notice
• A Queensland Digital Identity (you can create one during the application)
• A customer reference number from a TMR-issued card, such as your Queensland driver’s licence
• A Visa or Mastercard for the application fee

The fee is set by the regulator, not by training providers, so check the current amount on WorkSafe’s page when you apply.

Do I need to redo the course to renew?

Not usually. Renewal is an application, not a reassessment. What it does involve is a legal declaration that you have maintained your competency for each class on the licence, and WorkSafe states it is unable to renew a licence if you haven’t.

That declaration is worth taking seriously. If you’ve been driving a forklift every week, it’s straightforward. If you haven’t operated one in years, you’re signing a legal statement that you’re still competent, and that’s where a refresher earns its place. EDB recommends refresher training roughly every 12 months for current licence holders, and you can see the current forklift refresher price on the course page. It’s a short session, not the full multi-day licence course.

What happens if my forklift licence has already expired?

Stop operating until it’s sorted. Your licence stays current during the renewal process only if you lodge and pay on or before the expiry date. If you apply after it has expired, you are not licensed and can’t operate a forklift until WorkSafe approves the application.

If the licence lapsed a while ago, call WorkSafe on 1300 362 128 before you assume a renewal is still open to you. If you can’t honestly make the competency declaration, the answer is to train and be assessed again rather than to sign it anyway.

I’ve moved interstate. Can I still renew my Queensland licence?

Yes. A Queensland licence holder living interstate can renew either in Queensland, through the same online service, or in their new state or territory. If you don’t have a TMR customer reference number, you can still lodge the application and WorkSafe will email you about getting one.

What should employers check?

Businesses carry the duty to make sure anyone operating a forklift holds a current licence for that class of machine. A licence that was current at hiring can run out five years later without anyone noticing. Our guide on how to audit your team’s licences and tickets walks through recording expiry dates so renewals don’t slip.

EDB can also run refresher training on-site for a whole team, which is often the easiest way to keep everyone’s competency current before their renewals fall due.