In need of telehandler training in Perth?
In this post, we’ll go over what licence and/or training is required for each machine and the key differentiating characteristics of each machine to help you tell them apart.
In order to operate a forklift in Australia, you are required to obtain a High Risk Work License, either in class LF or LO.
The LF licence is for the offset forklift (most commonly used forklift) and the LO licence is for the Order Picking forklift. The High Risk Work Forklift License will only allow you to operate a Forklift.
To obtain a High Risk Work License, you must complete the training and High Risk Work Assessment through the Registered Training Organization (RTO) and submit your successful High Risk Work License Assessment (NSA) to the WHS regulator of your country or territory. How you submit your ANS depends on where you have completed your assessment. For example, students who complete their NSW forklift assessment are required to submit their assessment paperwork to a post office, while students who complete their QLD assessment are required to submit their assessment paperwork online via their myGov account.
Telescopic Handler (Telehandler) Forklift licence
Telehandler licencing is a bit more confusing, because it varies depending on the capacity of the telehandler you operate, the attachment being used, and the state or territory in which you operate. You will either require a Duty of Care (DOC) training, such as a Gold Card Telehandler License, or you may require a High Risk Work License.
As far as the Duty of Care Training is concerned, we always recommend the Telehandler Gold Card licence because it is issued and regulated by the Australian Telescopic Handler Association (TSHA) and is commonly requested at work sites around Australia.
The Nationally Recognized Competence Unit RIIHAN309E – Conducting telescopic materials handling operations can also be completed on its own or in conjunction with the Gold Card License.
See table below for when training with DOC or Gold Card (GC) is required.
So, if you require a High Risk Work licence to operate a telehandler, which one do you get? Well, according to SafeWork’s licence, the Telehandler actually falls under the Mobile Crane category except when it has an EWP basket attachment with a width of more than 11m. In this case, it is classified as a Boom type EWP and will require a High Risk Work WP licence to operate.
This means that if you hold an HRW Crane License class CN, you are covered to operate a non-swivel telehandler of any size, in any state, with all attachments except the EWP basket with a width of more than 11m. If you hold any of the following HRW Crane Licensing classes CN, C2, C6, C1, C0, you are responsible for operating any slewing or non-slewing telehandler of any size, in any state, with all attachments except the EWP basket with a width of more than 11m.
Forklift to VS Telehandler
So now you know which licence you need for each machine, but it’s not always that easy to tell the machines apart, so we’re going to give you the key to identify the qualities of each machine that will allow you to identify which machine you’re looking at.
Forklift: The forklift will have a vertical mast and a lift truck. The body is fitted with a pair of fork tynes or other load-bearing attachment.
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4 Common Forklift Types and Their Functions