How to become a Forklift Driver

Also called: Fork Truck Operator, Forklift Operator

Operates a forklift to move bulk materials, containers, crates, palletised goods, cartons and bales.

Main tasks

• Aligns, raises and lowers forks to stack and unstack items in warehouses, factories, timber yards and shipping terminals
• Operates forklifts on rails or using electronic guidance systems to control movement
• Transports goods to designated areas in warehouses, factories, timber yards and shipping terminals using a lift truck
• May operate a vehicle capable of lifting fully loaded shipping containers
• May operate specialised trucks to carry items beneath elevated frames

Ways in

• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $69,680 a year
• About 69,100 people work in this job group now, and about 71,500 are projected by 2035. (+3.5%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Backhoe Operator
• Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator
• Logging Plant Operator
• Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)
• Bulldozer Operator
• Excavator Operator

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Questions people ask

How much does a Forklift Driver earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $69,680 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Forklift Driver a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 69,100 to about 71,500 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Forklift Driver?

Usually not. Only 6% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Forklift Driver?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04