A Victorian forklift licence does not renew itself, and WorkSafe Victoria’s reminder notice is a courtesy, not a guarantee. From a site-compliance perspective, an expired licence becomes a problem from the day after expiry. The fact that the expiry was missed accidentally does not remove the employer’s duty to verify that operators are licensed for the work they perform.
This guide covers renewal before expiry, what happens at each stage of expiry, and what fleet managers need to track.
What Is a Victorian Forklift Licence and When Does It Expire?
A forklift licence in Victoria is a High Risk Work (HRW) Licence issued by WorkSafe Victoria. Victorian HRW forklift licences must be renewed every five years from the date of issue, not from the date of training.
Two classes apply to forklift operators. LF covers forklift trucks, including standard counterbalance forklifts and reach trucks where the operator does not rise with the load. LO covers order picking forklift trucks where the operator’s control elevates with the load. Note that some pedestrian-operated pallet trucks or walkie stackers may not require an LF licence depending on machine design and operation — confirm the licence requirement for the specific equipment.
If an operator holds both LF and LO, check the card or the myWorkSafe record rather than assuming both classes share the same expiry date.
2 Types of Forklift Licences in Australia: LF and LO Explained
The expiry date is printed on the licence card. Check it directly. WorkSafe Victoria sends reminder notices but operators and employers should not rely on this — reminders occasionally do not arrive.
An expired licence means an unlicensed operator from the day after expiry. The 12-month window discussed below is for the renewal application, not for continued operation. Operating on an expired licence carries the same legal consequences as operating with no licence at all.
How to Renew Your Forklift Licence in Victoria?
Renewing a current Victorian HRW forklift licence is administrative. No training or assessment is required if the licence has not expired.
Can you renew forklift licence online in Victoria?
Yes. WorkSafe Victoria offers online renewal at worksafe.vic.gov.au. You will need your licence number, current address, and a payment method. Online is the fastest option and no separate form is required. The L2 Application Form is only needed for Australia Post in-person renewal, not for online submissions. If an online application is approved, the digital licence may be available through myWorkSafe immediately, with the plastic card mailed separately.
Can You Renew Your Forklift Licence at Australia Post?
Yes, bring your current HRW licence card, valid photo ID meeting 100-point requirements (primary: passport or birth certificate; secondary: driver’s licence or utility bill), and the renewal fee. The Australia Post officer will provide the L2 Application Form on-site. Do not sign it before attending, as the signature must be witnessed by the Australia Post officer.
How Much Does It Cost to Renew a Victorian Forklift Licence?
WorkSafe Victoria lists the 2026-27 high risk work licence renewal fee as AUD 58.70. Fees are reviewed annually, so confirm the current amount at worksafe.vic.gov.au before submitting.
How Long Does Victorian Forklift Licence Renewal Take?
WorkSafe Victoria advises that high risk work licence applications may take up to 45 calendar days to process. Online applications that are approved may provide a digital licence through myWorkSafe sooner, with the plastic card arriving by mail within approximately 20 to 25 business days.
Do You Need Refresher Training to Renew Your Forklift Licence?
Refresher training is not automatically required to renew a current Victorian forklift licence. However, the renewal application is not just a payment form. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic), the applicant must declare that they have maintained competency to perform the high risk work.
That declaration matters. An operator who has not used a forklift for a long period, has moved to a different machine type, or is changing from combustion to electric equipment should consider refresher training before signing the renewal declaration.
A valid licence confirms legal authority to operate. It does not, by itself, prove current competency on a specific forklift in a specific workplace.
Can You Transfer an Interstate Forklift Licence to Victoria?
Yes. If you hold a valid high risk work licence from another Australian state or territory and live in Victoria, WorkSafe Victoria allows you to apply for an interstate HRW licence transfer. WorkSafe states that this can be done within 12 months after the current interstate licence expiry date.
The interstate transfer fee is listed by WorkSafe Victoria as AUD 58.70 for 2026-27, the same amount as the HRW renewal fee. Always confirm the current fee and eligibility requirements on the WorkSafe Victoria website before applying.
How to Get a Forklift Licence in Victoria: Step-by-Step Guide
When Should You Start the Renewal Process?
You should renew 30 to 60 days before expiry. Waiting until the week before creates unnecessary risk if processing takes longer than expected.
| Scenario | Cost |
|---|---|
| Current licence renewal | AUD 58.70, excluding GST, based on WorkSafe Victoria.’s 2026-27 fee schedule. |
| Expired within 12 months | WorkSafe renewal fee if WorkSafe accepts the renewal pathway |
| Expired more than 12 months | May require retraining and reassessment plus a new WorkSafe application fee; RTO course fees vary by provider |
What Happens If Your Licence Has Already Expired?
The outcome depends on how long ago it expired.
Expired within 12 months
Under Regulation 490(3)(a) of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic), WorkSafe Victoria allows licence holders to apply for renewal up to 12 months after expiry. The process is the same as renewing a current licence. No retraining is required, though a refresher is recommended if the operator has not been actively using a forklift during the expired period.
The operator must not operate during the renewal processing period. Submitting a renewal application does not restore operating authority for an expired licence. The operator must wait until the new licence is confirmed before returning to the machine.
Expired more than 12 months
If the licence has been expired for more than 12 months, WorkSafe Victoria requires proof of exceptional circumstances that prevented the renewal application. If WorkSafe does not accept the renewal pathway, the operator may need to complete training and assessment again and apply for a new HRW licence. Contact WorkSafe Victoria directly to understand the current options for your specific situation.
The difference between 11 months and 13 months expired is significant. One is an administrative renewal. The other may require a full course.
Can you operate while waiting for renewal to be processed?
If the licence has not yet expired: yes. The existing valid licence covers continued operation while the renewal is processing.
If the licence has expired: no. Even with an application submitted and processing, the operator cannot legally return to the machine until the new licence is confirmed. Keep a copy of the submitted application for records, but this does not constitute operating authority.
What Must Employers Check Before Letting Operators Use a Forklift?
The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) places the duty on the employer to ensure workers hold valid licences for the work they perform. This includes verifying licence class and expiry date, not just confirming a licence was obtained at some point. Significant penalties may apply under the OHS Act for employers who fail to meet these obligations.
The practical system: maintain a licence register for every operator covering name, licence number, class (LF and/or LO), and expiry date. Set calendar reminders 60 days before each expiry. For operators holding both LF and LO, track each class separately. Review the register when a new operator joins and whenever a new machine is added to the fleet.
For mixed fleets that include EP Equipment counterbalance units alongside order pickers, the LF and LO class check must be done separately for each machine type. An LF licence does not cover the order picker, and an LO licence does not cover the counterbalance. Assigning the wrong class to either machine is a compliance breach regardless of the operator’s experience or tenure.
Conclusion
Renewing a current Victorian forklift licence is straightforward and inexpensive. The complexity and cost increase significantly once a licence expires, and the options narrow further beyond the 12-month window.
For operators: set a personal reminder 60 days before expiry and renew online at worksafe.vic.gov.au. The process takes minutes online. The compliance problem caused by missing it takes considerably longer to resolve. For fleet managers: a licence register matched against your machine register is the simplest risk control available.
When EPower delivers new EP Equipment forklifts, licence and operator-readiness checks form part of the practical onboarding discussion. EPower cannot renew a licence for an operator, but it can help fleet managers identify which licence class is required for each machine type and what should be checked before the equipment enters service. Contact EPower team today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Responsible for Tracking Forklift Licence Expiry Dates?
The operator should track their own licence expiry, but employers should also maintain a licence register. For fleet managers, the register should include operator name, licence number, licence class, expiry date and renewal reminder dates.
Does an LF Forklift Licence Cover an Order Picker?
No. An LF licence covers forklift trucks such as counterbalance forklifts and reach trucks where the operator does not rise with the load. An LO licence is required for order-picking forklift trucks where the operator is elevated with the load.
Should Employers Check Forklift Licences Before New Equipment Is Delivered?
Yes. Before a new forklift enters service, employers should confirm that assigned operators hold the correct licence class and that the licence is current. This helps avoid delivery delays, compliance issues and operators being assigned to equipment they are not licensed to use.
