Forklift Drivers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Forklift Drivers operate forklifts to move bulk materials, containers, crates, palletised goods, cartons and bales.
Also known as: Forklift Operator or Fork Truck Operator.
Specialisations: Reach Truck Operator.
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Forklift Driver. Some workers have Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications in areas such as warehousing operations.
Tasks
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operating controls to align forklifts and raise and lower forks to stack and unstack items in warehouses, factories, timber yards and shipping terminals
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operating forklifts which run on rails or use electronic guidance systems to control movements in narrow aisles
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transporting goods to designated areas in warehouses, factories, timber yards and shipping terminals
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ensuring goods are stored in correct areas so that they can be easily located when orders are made up
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monitoring equipment operation visually through gauges and instruments and through computerised monitoring equipment
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inspecting and controlling equipment to identify wear and damage
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servicing and performing minor repairs and adjustments to forklifts
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may operate specialised trucks to carry items beneath elevated frames
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Administrative
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Light
-
Medium
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers in this occupation is likely to remain stable.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 59,500 |
2012 | 60,100 |
2013 | 53,500 |
2014 | 61,700 |
2015 | 59,300 |
2016 | 57,600 |
2017 | 49,700 |
2018 | 68,300 |
2019 | 72,300 |
2020 | 58,200 |
2021 | 67,000 |
2026 | 68,300 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 86% of people employed as Forklift Drivers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 20 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Median full-time earnings are $1,286 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,077
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,657
Median hourly earnings are $31, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Forklift Drivers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,286 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
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Forklift Drivers work in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Forklift Drivers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 31.6 | 31.6 |
VIC | 31.4 | 25.6 |
QLD | 17.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 9.4 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.6 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.4 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.2 | 1.9 |
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Around 69% of Forklift Drivers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Forklift Drivers is 42 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 4% of the workforce. This is 44 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Forklift Drivers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.8 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 8.0 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 24.1 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 24.4 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 24.6 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 10.0 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 42 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Forklift Driver. Some workers have Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications in areas such as warehousing operations.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Transport and Logistics Training Package VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Forklift Drivers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.7 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 3.3 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 4.2 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 20.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 26.3 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 10.8 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 34.5 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Forklift Drivers who are reliable, work well in a team and are hardworking.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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48%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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43%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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39%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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39%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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34%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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34%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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34%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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34%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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30%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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30%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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29%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
29%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
27%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
27%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
27%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
27%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
-
25%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
-
25%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
25%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
44%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
42%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
41%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
38%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
38%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
37%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
37%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
34%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
30%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
29%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
28%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
27%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
25%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
24%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
22%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
22%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
22%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
-
21%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
20%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
12%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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57%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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57%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
-
52%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
48%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
-
48%
Response orientationQuickly choose the right movement of the hand, foot, or other body part when there are two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures).
-
46%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
-
45%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
43%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
43%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
43%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
-
43%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
43%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
43%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
-
43%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
41%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
41%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
39%
Spatial orientationKnow where things are around you.
-
37%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
36%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
77%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
66%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
61%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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61%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
61%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
59%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
59%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
58%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
57%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
55%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
54%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
53%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
52%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
51%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
50%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
49%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
48%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
44%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
-
42%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
-
40%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
67%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
43%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
24%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
-
62%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
62%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
43%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
36%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
33%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
33%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
-
94%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
93%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
92%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
91%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
90%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
90%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
89%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
87%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
87%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
86%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
85%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
84%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
83%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
81%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
80%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
80%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
79%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
77%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
-
76%
In an open vehicle or equipmentWork in an open vehicle (e.g., a tractor).
-
72%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 53-7051.00 - Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.