How Long Does It Take to Get a Forklift Licence in Queensland?

jorkingtraining
4 days ago
3 min read

If you’re planning to get your forklift licence in Queensland, one of the first things you’ll want to know is how long it takes from start to finish.

The good news? You can now complete your forklift training and assessment in just one day with Jorking Training Group’s new streamlined format — while still meeting all licensing and safety requirements set by WorkSafe Queensland.

Let’s look at exactly what’s involved and how long each stage takes.

The Typical Forklift Licence Process

In Queensland, getting your LF High Risk Work Licence involves:

Completing formal theory and practical training with a registered training organisation (RTO).
Passing both the theory and practical assessments.
Submitting your licence application to WorkSafe Queensland within 60 days.

Traditionally, this took two days or more, depending on how the RTO structured their delivery. But new blended and intensive training models — like ours — make it much faster without cutting corners.

The Jorking Training Group 1-Day Format

Our 1-day course is designed for maximum flexibility, especially for busy workers and employers needing staff licensed quickly.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Complete Your Online Theory (Before the Course)

Before attending, you’ll complete an interactive online theory component at your own pace.

Covers forklift safety, load stability, and WHS responsibilities.
Can be done from your phone, tablet, or computer.
Usually takes 2–3 hours depending on experience.

Once you complete it, you’re ready for your training day.

Step 2: Attend the Full 1-Day Practical Training & Assessment

Your practical day runs from 7 am – approximately 3 pm at our Woombye training facility (or onsite for group bookings).

Morning:

Hands-on forklift training with an accredited assessor.
Pre-start checks, manoeuvring, stacking, and hazard awareness.

Afternoon:

Formal assessment – both theory review and practical demonstration.
Individual finish times vary depending on assessment readiness.

At the end of the day, you’ll know whether you’ve been marked Competent and can apply for your licence.

How Long the Entire Process Takes

Stage	Duration	Details
Online Theory	2–3 hours (self-paced)	Complete before the course day
1-Day Training & Assessment	1 day	Includes both training and testing
Licence Application (WorkSafe QLD)	4–6 weeks	Processing time for physical card

🟢 You can legally operate a forklift immediately once you submit your licence application, using your interim authority.

Why We Moved to a Single-Day Format

At Jorking Training Group, we’ve trained hundreds of students across Queensland. Over time, we noticed most learners preferred:

Faster certification without multiple travel days.
Smaller class sizes for better individual support.
Online flexibility for theory components.

By combining online theory with a structured one-day assessment, we’ve created a format that saves time while maintaining complete compliance with WHS and AS 2359 standards.

What If You Need More Practice?

Not everyone learns at the same pace — and that’s okay.If you’d like extra forklift time before re-assessment, we offer a Free Extra Training Session for eligible students who’ve completed their online theory and attended the full 1-day course.

If you pass the formal theory but don’t pass the practical on the day, you also receive a Free Practical Re-Sit.No stress. No extra fees. Just genuine support until you’re confident and competent.

How to Apply for Your Licence

After you’re deemed Competent:

You’ll receive your AS1 Notice of Assessment from your assessor.
Apply online with WorkSafe Queensland within 60 days.
Pay the licence application fee (around $100).

Your physical card usually arrives in 4–6 weeks, but you can start operating forklifts as soon as your interim authority is issued.

Ready to Get Licensed?

With Jorking Training Group’s 1-day forklift course, you can go from enrolment to licensed operation faster than ever — without sacrificing quality or compliance.

✅ One day of practical training✅ Online theory completed beforehand✅ Free extra training and practical re-sit options✅ Sunshine Coast facility or onsite delivery anywhere in QLD

👉 Book your forklift training today and get licensed fast, safe, and completely compliant.