If you’re someone who has to operate forklifts as part of their job description, obtaining a forklift license is more than a formality—it’s a legal necessity. This license will be valid for a period of five years, by the end of which you are required to have it renewed. However, what would happen if you had failed to renew your license? In this post, we as a forklift license Melbourne training center will be taking a look at what happens when your forklift licenses expire, the legal consequences, and what you can do to remedy the situation.
What are the types of forklift licences in Australia?
In Australia, a person who has to operate forklifts as part of their work is legally required to obtain a specialised forklift licence. The two main types of forklift licences in Australia are named LF, or “Licence to Perform High-Risk Work—Forklift Truck,” and LO, or “Licence to Perform High-Risk Work—Order-Picking Forklift Truck.
LF licences are the most common type of forklift licence. They allow individuals to operate standard forklifts, including reach, counterbalance, and side-loading forklifts. On the other hand, LO licences are specifically for the operating of order-picking forklifts, also known as stockpilers. Operators in warehouses that stockpile goods and containers on rack systems are those with LO licences.
What are the consequences of failing to renew your forklift licence?
As we mentioned above, having a valid forklift licence is more than a formality; it is an absolute necessity. When your forklift licence expires, you are legally not allowed to operate forklifts until you get it renewed. Operating forklifts without a valid licence will be in violation of workplace safety standards, and the authorities may issue substantial fines.
As an employee whose job description requires you to operate forklifts, not having a valid licence can be a significant threat to your job security. In the event that you are injured in a workplace accident, not having a valid licence could be interpreted as negligence and result in a significant reduction in compensation.
How long are high-risk work licences valid?
Both LF and LO licences fall under the category of high-risk work licences. As such, these licences are typically valid for a period of 5 years.
How long do I have to renew the forklift licence after it has expired?
If you are looking to renew your forklift licence in Melbourne, you have up to 12 months from the date of expiry to complete the renewal process. In Victoria, you can renew your licence online through your myWorkSafe account. The documents you will need in the renewal process are
- Your current high-risk work licence number
- Contact information
- A valid credit/debit card
- A digital passport-sized photograph.
What would happen if I missed the 12-month renewal period?
If you miss the 12-month licence renewal period, you will have to retake your forklift training course with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and complete the assessment to be eligible to obtain your new high-risk work licence.
Conclusion
If you’ve missed your licence renewal deadline and are now looking for a trusted and reliable registered training organisation to complete your forklift training in Melbourne and get back on track, then look no further than Australia Wide Forklift Training Centre Pty Ltd (AWFTC). We are a nationally recognised training and assessment centre and have been helping individuals obtain their forklift licences since 1999. Rest assured, when you choose AWFTC, you are in capable hands.
