TDT training was excellent, I learned a lot about new skills and driving skills all thanks David Allan was an absolute legend and tought me every thing I needed to know about being a safe and responsible truck driver/opoprater TDT is the place to go for all your skill upgrades as they have so many courses to choose from.

Tom Smith

9 October 2026

David Allan is a fantastic instructor; I was nervous at first, but he put me completely at ease and was incredibly helpful in getting my license. Thanks for everything, David.

Baki Öztürk

8 October 2026

Scott was a great instructor, very informative and helpful.

Ben Kyval

6 October 2026

Had an absolutely amazing day with David. He took amazing care the whole way throughout the day. He made me feel at ease and explained everything with his calming and enjoyable personality. I learned so much from him. This is the man!! Time to hit the road.

Ben Gerrard

6 October 2026

I had a great experience with David Allan and Vanessa. Vanessa handled the whole process from start to finish very smoothly and professionally, and she was always helpful and easy to communicate with. David was an excellent HR truck driving instructor. He was very supportive, patient and positive throughout the training. He explained everything clearly and made sure I felt confident behind the wheel. I highly recommend David and Vanessa to anyone looking for professional, supportive and friendly service. Thank you both for making the whole experience so smooth!

Yagnik Kalathiya

5 October 2026

Absolutely awesome service from start to finish! David Allan was an absolute legend of an instructor. I came in very nervous but by the end of the day, I was driving a truck no problem at all. From the tips and tricks that make driving a very large vehicle like you’re handling a car, to his overall personality. 10/10! Celine was also very good making the booking seamless and easy. Kudos to TDT and all staff. Thank you very much!

Michael Seno

5 October 2026

recently completed my HR licence training with TDT Training and had a great experience from start to finish. A special mention to Ron, the instructor, who was extremely knowledgeable, patient and professional throughout the training. He explained everything clearly, took the time to answer questions and made sure I understood what I was doing before moving on. His experience and teaching style made the training much easier and more enjoyable. I feel much more confident in my driving skills and knowledge after completing the course. I would definitely recommend TDT Training to anyone looking to obtain their HR licence, and especially recommend Ron as an instructor. Thanks to Ron and the team at TDT Training for a great experience.

Racheal Koeleman

3 October 2026

Completed HR training and test with Ron H. During training Ron was clear and articulate with instruction, answered questions simply and provided specific feedback about performance. The training period provided me with lots of time behind the wheel, so I could complete the test with confidence. Admin team were also great with communication.

Brandon Isaac

2 October 2026

my trainer scott had me for my hc no synco license he made it so easy explained everything in good detail and helped me process and pass my license

mitchell steer

1 October 2026

Thank you so much TDT! I booked my HR truck license training with Vanessa from TDT and was assessed by David. Smooth bookings - No hassle at all. If you’re anything like me before a test (nervous) don’t be! David is a really knowledgeable trainer with years of experience under his belt. His instructions were very clear and his step-by-step guide will help you gain the knowledge and experience needed! Felt like working with a mate for a day! Do not miss this opportunity to up-skill with TDT. Get in touch with Vanessa, request for David. Happy days ;)

Ata F

29 September 2026

Cheap Forklift Training Risks: Licence, Job, or Life?

Published: September 23, 2026

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A cheap forklift ticket might feel like a win at the time. But cutting corners on forklift training and licensing has landed real businesses with six-figure fines, and in the worst cases, it has cost someone their life.

At a glance

A Victorian company and its director were fined $375,000 combined after an untrained worker was lifted on forklift tines and fell to their death
Other Australian forklift fines in recent years have ranged from $90,000 to $330,000, mostly for licensing and training failures
A forklift licence is called a High Risk Work licence for a reason, the equipment is genuinely dangerous when the person on it has not been properly trained
Employers, not just operators, carry legal liability when training and licensing standards are not met
Checking your training provider's standards before you enrol, or before you put staff through a course, is a small step that avoids a very large risk

A fatal shortcut in Clayton

In a Victorian case, a company director lifted a person at their Clayton facility on a loose pallet sitting on forklift tines. The worker had no forklift licence, and the improvised lift was not secured in any way.

The person fell and died. The Victorian County Court later fined the company $250,000 and fined the director personally $125,000, and refused to reduce the fine despite the director being 82 years old and semi-retired.

What makes the case sting even more is that a safer option was sitting right there. WorkSafe found two scissor lifts in the same factory at the time of the incident, either of which could have done the job safely.

This is not a one-off

Forklift licensing and training failures show up in fines across the country, not just in one state or one industry.

JBS Australia, NSW, 2025. Fined $330,000 after a worker was struck by a forklift in a chilled storage area and suffered severe leg injuries.
Sydney logistics company, NSW. Fined $90,000 after an unlicensed operator caused a collision that seriously injured a colleague.
South Australian processing facility. Fined $180,000 after a worker was struck and pinned by a reversing forklift, with no safe stopping zone and no proper separation between forklifts and pedestrians in place.

Different states, different industries, same root cause. Training and licensing were treated as a formality instead of a genuine safety requirement.

Why forklift licensing is not a box-ticking exercise

A forklift looks simple to operate, and that is exactly what makes it dangerous in the wrong hands. A standard 2 tonne forklift can weigh close to 5 tonnes once fully loaded, and it can cause serious injury or death even at low speed.

That is why forklift operation is classed as High Risk Work under Australian workplace law. Anyone operating one is legally required to hold the correct High Risk Work Licence, known as an LF licence, and that licence has to come from a proper assessment by a Registered Training Organisation.

Skipping proper training does not just risk a fine if something goes wrong. It puts the operator, and everyone working near them, in real physical danger.

What this means for employers

Employers carry the legal responsibility here, not just the operator on the forklift.

You can be fined even if you were not driving. In the Clayton case, it was the director, not the untrained worker, who was personally fined $125,000 on top of the company fine.
A licence check takes minutes, an incident takes years to recover from. Verifying that every forklift operator on your site holds a current, genuine LF licence is a simple step that protects your business and your people.
Site-specific induction still matters, even with a licence. A licence proves someone can operate a forklift safely in general, it does not replace training on your specific site, your specific loads, and your specific hazards.
Cheap or rushed training courses can leave gaps. If an operator's licence came from a rushed assessment, the gaps in their actual skill only show up when something goes wrong, and by then it is too late.

What to check before you enrol staff, or yourself

A few checks before you commit to a forklift training provider can save enormous cost and heartache later.

Ask whether the provider is a properly Registered Training Organisation and ask to see proof. Ask how the practical assessment is run, and be wary of any provider promising a licence in an unusually short time or at an unusually low price.

Once staff are licensed, keep a central register of licence numbers and expiry dates, and make sure every operator gets a proper site induction on top of their licence.

Frequently asked questions

What is an LF licence in Australia?

LF stands for the forklift class of High Risk Work Licence. Anyone operating a forklift in Australia must hold a current LF licence, issued after proper training and assessment through a Registered Training Organisation.

How much can a company be fined for forklift licensing or training failures?

Fines vary by state and severity, but recent Australian cases range from around $90,000 to $375,000, with individual directors and managers also personally liable in some cases.

Do employers get fined if a forklift accident happens, even if they were not driving?

Yes. Employers and company directors can be held personally and financially liable for forklift incidents caused by inadequate training, licensing, or supervision, regardless of who was operating the forklift at the time.

How do I check if a forklift licence or training provider is genuine?

Confirm the provider is a Registered Training Organisation and ask how their practical assessment is run. Be cautious of any provider offering a licence unusually fast or unusually cheap compared to the rest of the market.

Is a cheap forklift course worth the risk?

A rushed or low-cost course can leave real gaps in an operator's actual skill, gaps that often only show up when something goes wrong on site. The cost difference between providers is usually small next to the cost of an incident, a fine, or a licence that does not hold up.

Why this matters at Transport Driver Training

At TDT, we deliver LF forklift training the same way we deliver our heavy vehicle courses, properly assessed, properly documented, and never rushed. You can see what sets our approach apart, and we have also seen firsthand what happens when training gaps go unaddressed, TDT was engaged by a major logistics operator to help resolve exactly this kind of forklift licensing issue, and stepped in to bring their training back up to standard.

If you are responsible for forklift operators on your site, or you are getting your own ticket, it is worth spending a few minutes checking a provider's credentials before you spend a cent on the course.

Chris Davis

Head of Sales & Business Development

Chris writes about trucking, logistics, and transport industry trends.