The 2025 event set to be held on 28 October, with participants vying for a share of A$5,000 prize pool
The Forklift Operator of the Year event returns to the Brisbane Markets in 2025, marking the tenth anniversary of this highly-anticipated safety initiative.
The Forklift Operator of the Year - affectionately known as Footy to the Brisbane Markets community - is a regular highlight on the annual calendar, coinciding with the end of National Safe Work Month every October.
“As the third largest Central Market in Australia with around 700mn kilograms of produce coming through the gates every year, the Brisbane Markets has one of the highest concentration of forklifts on site in Queensland,” said Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) managing director and CEO, Andrew Young.
“Raising awareness of safety procedures and encouraging safe forklift practices is fundamental to Market’s operations.”
Each year, the Brisbane Markets invites registered forklift operators on site (those with a valid Forklift Operators Permit issued by BML) to take part in the event. By enrolling in the event, the forklift drivers are observed and evaluated over several weeks. Points are awarded or deducted based on driver behaviours.
“This event is a great opportunity to highlight safe forklift driving practices over an extended period of time,” said Young. “The forklift operators look forward to showcasing their skills and the Grand Final has become a prestigious event.”
Over its ten-year history, the Forklift Driver of the Year event boasts over 500 registrations and more than 12,000 observation scores.
This year’s finalists have been announced and the grand final will be held in the Brisbane Markets Central Trading Area on Tuesday, 28 October 2025.
Ten finalists will compete as they navigate a specially designed course to test their expertise, accuracy and safe driving practices. The event will commence at 8am, including a sausage sizzle as Brisbane Markets Tenants and employees cheer their colleagues on to a share of the $5,000 prize pool.
