Registration and Licensing

All States and Territories have developed, or are in the process of developing, accreditation systems for operators and drivers of buses, coaches and other passenger systems. This report, Mutual Recognition of Bus Drivers and Operators, arises from the differing systems in place around Australia and the need to develop processes for the mutual recognition of bus driver certification and bus operator accreditation. Currently, commercial bus operators and drivers who operate outside their own jurisdiction are often required to obtain separate authorisation or accreditation from the new jurisdiction. Because these requirements vary significantly between States and Territories, major cost and time burdens are imposed on the bus industry. This report provides a summary of current State and Territory systems in relation to the authorisation of drivers and the accreditation of operators. In addition, this report examines how mutual recognition, for both drivers and operators, might be applied nationally, and recommends uniform practices for key transitional issues that are not clearly specified within the MRA. This report makes a number of recommendations to facilitate the mutual recognition of bus drivers and operators.