An LF licence is the high risk work licence you need to operate a forklift truck in Australia: the standard sit-down forklift used in warehouses, factories, building supply stores and on loading docks. When a job ad says “forklift licence required”, it means the LF.
In Queensland you get it by passing the nationally recognised unit TLILIC0003 (Licence to operate a forklift truck) with a registered training organisation, then applying online to WorkSafe Queensland within 60 days. At FMS Training (RTO 45189) the course is $499 on a weekday or $599 on a weekend at Lawnton, and your first re-sit is free.
What does “LF” actually cover?
LF is the licence class code printed on your high risk work licence card. WorkSafe Queensland defines a forklift truck as a powered industrial truck with a mast and an elevating load carriage, fitted with forks or other arms that can be raised 900mm or more above the ground.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What machine is it for? | Forklift trucks with a mast and forks that lift 900mm or more |
| Does it cover pallet jacks or walk-behind trucks? | No. WorkSafe Queensland excludes pedestrian-operated trucks and pallet trucks, so no licence class applies to them |
| Does it cover order pickers? | No. Order-picking forklifts need a different licence class |
| Which unit do you complete? | TLILIC0003 Licence to operate a forklift truck |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| How long does it last? | 5 years, then you renew with WorkSafe Queensland |
| Where is it valid? | Every Australian state and territory |
| Government fee (Queensland) | $113.41 for a new licence class, paid to WorkSafe Queensland, separate from the course price |
Do I need an LF licence?
You need one if your work involves driving a forklift truck as defined above, at any workplace, even for a few minutes a day. It is the operator who must hold the licence, and the business that must make sure only licensed people drive. Watching a mate do it, or years of driving without a licence, does not count on its own.
If you are not sure whether your machine needs a licence, read Do I need a licence to drive a forklift in Queensland?
How do you get an LF licence in Queensland?
- Book a TLILIC0003 course with a registered training organisation. At FMS Training this is a two-day course at Lawnton, north Brisbane: a training day and a separate test day, both booked when you pay.
- Watch the pre-course video guides. FMS Training filmed them in its own training centre, on its own forklifts, with its own instructors, so there is no PowerPoint or classroom time on the day.
- Training day. Most of the day is practical: many hours of driving, with the instructor checking safe operation and correcting bad habits.
- Test day. A formal assessment on a real forklift, set by the national standard. If you don’t pass, your first re-sit is free, on a later test day within 4 weeks.
- Apply online to WorkSafe Queensland within 60 days of passing. Once you have applied and paid, your WorkSafe receipt plus your Candidate Assessment Summary is your interim licence until the card arrives.
The full step-by-step, including what ID to bring, is in How to get a forklift licence in Queensland. The unit itself is explained in What is TLILIC0003?
How much does an LF licence cost in Brisbane?
There are two separate payments:
| Payment | Who you pay | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Course and assessment (FMS Training, Lawnton) | FMS Training | $499 weekday, $599 weekend (first re-sit free) |
| Licence application (new class) | WorkSafe Queensland | $113.41 |
More detail, including what changes the price between providers, is in How much does a forklift licence cost in Brisbane?
I have driven forklifts before. Do I still need the course?
Yes, if you have never held a licence. Experience without a licence does not count on its own, but recognition of prior learning is possible once you show your competency on the forklift. Most experienced operators enrol in the same course, and training is competency based: if you are safe and competent, you are not kept longer than you need on the training day. Tell us your experience when you book.
My LF licence has expired. What now?
Expiry is handled by WorkSafe Queensland, not by repeating the course in most cases. Start with Forklift licence renewal QLD and How long does a forklift licence last in Queensland?
Why people choose FMS Training for their LF licence
- Training day and test day booked together when you pay, on weekdays or a weekend.
- Practical from the first hour. The theory is done beforehand in video guides filmed at our own centre, so the day is spent on the forklifts.
- Suits complete beginners and experienced operators. Patient, welcoming instructors and excellent student to forklift ratios.
- Your first re-sit is free if you don’t pass first time.
- Lawnton, north Brisbane, easy to reach from Moreton Bay, Caboolture, Strathpine and the northside. Group training at your workplace is also available.
- Award-winning and well reviewed: Outstanding Education Service winner in the 2025 and 2026 Moreton Bay Local Business Awards, with a 4.9-star Google rating.
Quick answers
Is an LF licence the same as a forklift ticket? Yes. “Ticket” is the everyday word; the official name is a high risk work licence, class LF.
Can I do an LF licence online? No. The theory can be studied online first, but the assessment must be done in person on a real forklift.
Sources: WorkSafe Queensland, forklift truck licence; training.gov.au, TLILIC0003.