Forklift driver jobs in Melbourne start with one question: does your high risk work licence cover the machine on the floor? Sites look closely at the licence class, and a driver with the right class and a clear account of the machines they have run is easier to shortlist.
This guide is for drivers and people training to become one. It covers the licence classes, what sites check beyond the card, equipment differences and how to apply.
What forklift jobs in Melbourne actually look like on site
Forklift driver jobs in Melbourne are rostered wherever pallets move: distribution centres, warehouses, factories and loading docks. The duties usually combine unloading inbound trucks, putting stock into racking, replenishing pick faces and loading outbound orders, with a pre-start check at the start of the shift.
Some ads and searches shorten the title to FLT, so FLT driver jobs in Melbourne generally mean the same work. Listings may also read as forklift and driver roles, where the driver also picks or loads by hand, so read the duty list.
The wider picture, from shifts to application tips, is in the companion guide to warehouse jobs in Melbourne. For the employer side, the post on employer forklift hire checks shows what a host looks for when booking an agency operator. Pay comparisons sit in a separate post on forklift driver salary in Melbourne and Sydney, so this guide leaves figures aside.
High risk work licence classes in plain English
A high risk work licence is the WorkSafe Victoria licence that allows you to work with certain high risk plant, and WorkSafe lists 30 classes. Two of them cover most forklift jobs.
- LF, forklift truck operation. Safe Work Australia describes this class as use of a forklift truck other than an order picking forklift truck.
- LO, order-picking forklift truck operation. Safe Work Australia describes this class as use of an order picking forklift truck.
So LF and LO are separate classes with separate codes. WorkSafe's forklift guidebook backs this up, because its definition of a forklift for the high risk work rules leaves out order-picking forklift trucks. The same definition also leaves out pedestrian-operated trucks, tractors fitted with fork arms and pallet trucks that cannot raise their forks 900 mm or more above the ground.
WorkSafe also lists telehandlers over 3 tonnes (TV) and reach stackers (RS) as their own classes, so a role that mentions either is not covered by LF alone. A reach stacker is a different machine from the reach trucks described below. The host-side guide to high risk work licence classes shows how employers match each machine to a class, which is useful to read before you apply.
To get a licence, WorkSafe says you complete training through a registered training organisation and pass the assessment, and you will need photo identification when you register. You then lodge your application with your assessment results within 60 calendar days, or you must complete the assessment again at your own cost. WorkSafe says the licence is valid for five years. Confirm the class and the steps on the WorkSafe high risk work licence page.
What employers check beyond the plastic card
Employers check that the licence class matches the machine, then check that you can run that machine in that building. WorkSafe's guidebook says the forklift on site may differ from the one you used for training and assessment, so operators need familiarisation with the model they will use.
That familiarisation should cover:
- safe operation of the forklift and its safety features
- capacity and load limits
- how to read the forklift information plate
- pre-start inspection requirements
WorkSafe adds that familiarisation should be provided for any attachments used with the forklift, and that operators should be trained on site matters such as the traffic management plan, pedestrian safety and exclusion zones, plus reporting for breakdowns, collisions and damage.
If you arrive through an agency, the host has duties too. WorkSafe says a host employer is taken to be the employer of a labour hire worker, and its host guidance includes making sure the worker has the licences relevant to the job and providing training and supervision. The forklift guidebook notes that additional supervision may be required for vulnerable workers, a group that includes labour hire workers.
You can make the check easier. Carry your licence, keep a short list of the machines and attachments you have operated, and say plainly where you have not used a type of truck.
Counterbalance, reach and other equipment notes
Ads often use trade terms such as counterbalance or reach, and these describe the machine type and not the licence class. If you are unsure which class an ad needs, ask the employer for the make, model and any attachments, then confirm the class with WorkSafe.
- Reach trucks. WorkSafe's guidebook has a section on them. It says reach truck operators usually stand or sit sideways at the rear and that seat belts are not normally fitted.
- Pedestrian-operated trucks. WorkSafe's guidebook leaves these out of its forklift definition for the high risk work rules, so ask the employer which class, if any, the role needs.
- Electric and gas-powered machines. The guidebook says only trained and authorised people should charge and change batteries or exchange LPG cylinders.
- Attachments. Each attachment needs its own familiarisation, so mention any you have used.
Designs differ between manufacturers, so a switch between sites can mean a short learning period. Ask about it before your first shift.
How to apply for forklift shifts
A good forklift application is short and states the facts a roster planner needs. Put your licence class first, followed by the machines you have run, the sites or sectors you have worked in and the shifts you can cover.
- Licence line. Write the class exactly as it appears on your card and add the expiry date.
- Machine line. List the truck types and attachments you have used, with the most recent first.
- Availability line. Give the shifts you can work and how soon you can start.
- Reference line. Name a supervisor who has watched you drive.
Current openings are listed on the job board, and the job seeker resources explain how to register. The forklift driver role page describes the work Chandler Personnel recruits for, and its warehousing labour hire page covers the wider sector. Chandler Personnel is a Melbourne labour hire and permanent recruitment business, so both short placements and permanent roles are part of the picture.
Pay depends on the award or agreement that covers the role. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that Fair Work awards are legal documents that outline minimum pay rates and conditions of employment, so ask which one applies before you accept a shift.
Related Resources
- Warehousing and logistics recruitment
- Forklift driver role
- High risk work licence classes
- Forklift driver hire through an agency
- Forklift driver salary in Melbourne and Sydney
- Job board
- WorkSafe high risk work licences
Common Questions About Forklift Driver Jobs in Melbourne
1. Do I need a high risk work licence for forklift driver jobs in Melbourne?
Yes. WorkSafe Victoria says an employer must not allow an employee to perform high-risk work unless the employee holds an appropriate high risk work licence, and that this includes using a forklift. Check the class named in the ad and confirm it on the WorkSafe page.
2. What is the difference between LF and LO?
They are separate WorkSafe licence classes. LF is forklift truck operation, which Safe Work Australia describes as use of a forklift truck other than an order picking forklift truck. LO is order-picking forklift truck operation, which has its own code, so check which class the role asks for.
3. Can I drive a forklift on a learner arrangement at work?
WorkSafe's guidebook says direct supervision is required for an unlicensed trainee working towards a licence. The supervisor must hold a licence for the type of forklift in use and should have direct line of sight and verbal control. The employer arranges this, so ask before you rely on it.
4. What experience do warehouse forklift jobs want?
It varies by site and ad. Most will ask for the right licence class, and many will ask about machines, attachments and the type of racking or dock work you have done. Even experienced operators need familiarisation on the specific forklift, so be ready to say what you have and have not used.
5. Are agency forklift jobs different from permanent roles?
The licence rule is the same. With an agency, you are placed at a client site, and WorkSafe treats the host as your employer for health and safety. Agency work can start with shifts or a short run, while permanent roles are set up as ongoing positions. Read the employment type in the listing.
Carry the Class That Matches the Mast
Forklift driver jobs in Melbourne go to people who can name their licence class, describe the machines they have run and show they are happy to be familiarised on a new truck. The class on your card should match the machine in the ad.
Check the WorkSafe page, list your machines and attachments honestly and apply for the shifts that fit. If a class is missing, training through a registered training organisation is the route WorkSafe sets out.
