For the first time in its history, the Australian Forklift Championships will be open to single-entrant qualifiers, allowing individual competitors the opportunity to earn a place in the official CeMAT Australian team.

Registrations are now open for the 2025 Australian Forklift Championship which will be held between July 22 and 24 as part of CeMAT Australia at Sydney’s Olympic Park, The Dome.

The Australian Forklift Championships have been designed to showcase the skill, speed and technical expertise of some of the country’s best forklift operators. Winners will share in cash and other prizes as well as the prestige.

The event consists of an obstacle course and head-to-head challenges as well as live demonstrations.

Mike Nissen, commercial director with Hannover Fairs Australia, which organises CeMAT Australia, says the forklift championships are “more than just a competition”.

“They’re a celebration of the unsung heroes who keep our industries moving,” Nissen adds. “This is their moment to shine, proving that forklift operation is an art as much as it is a science.”

Competition for the championships will start with single entrants and CeMAT team selection, followed by the corporate teams competition and then additional corporate teams and live demonstrations. The Australian Forklift Championships are sponsored by Hyundai, Dexion, Genie Grips, ForkPro, Axelent Australia and Healthy Heads; Forkliftaction is a media partner.