Getting a motor vehicle recycler licence

Businesses that need a motor vehicle recycler licence

You will need a motor vehicle recycler’s licence if your business involves:

buying or obtaining, demolishing or dismantling motor vehicles or parts or accessories of motor vehicles

buying and selling major body and mechanical components or prescribed parts of motor vehicles or major car accessories.

You must also hold a licence to work on written-off light vehicles that have been registered in NSW or interstate.

Businesses that do not need a motor vehicle recycler licence

A motor vehicle recycler’s licence is not required for certain types of vehicles, including:

• vehicles that do not transport goods or passengers on public roads (for example, agricultural equipment)
• vehicles that are not eligible for registration in NSW (for example, quad bikes, segways, motorised wheelchairs and battery powered bikes).

Eligibility

Who can apply

To apply for a motor vehicle recycler licence, you must:

• be at least 18 years old
• be a ‘fit and proper person’ to hold a licence
• not be a controlled member of a declared organisation
• not be disqualified from holding a licence
• not be an undischarged bankrupt
• not, as an adult, have been found guilty in the past 10 years of motor vehicle stealing or dishonesty offences
• have sufficient financial resources to carry on the business
• have approval from the local council to run a motor vehicle recycling business at your nominated business address.

Applying for a motor vehicle recycler licence

What you need before you make an application

Before you begin your application make sure you have:

• proof of identity
• personal details (name, address and date of birth) of either the individual or business partners
• business details, including the registered name of your business, the address, and incorporation date
• Australian company number (ACN)/Australian business number (ABN) number
• documentation with conformation the nominated premises has approval by local council to operate a motor vehicle recycling business
• payment for the licence fee.

You can apply for a 1, 3 or 5-year licence.

If you have a business manager

If you are employing a manager to run your business, you need to nominate them and tell NSW Fair Trading.

The manager will need to complete the Manager’s consent form included within your application.

A corporation must nominate an individual to be manager of the day-to-day business of the licensee. An individual can manage the business themselves or nominate another person to manage the business.

Where there is more than one manager, complete a separate  Manager's consent form for each manager to include in your application.

Apply now for a motor vehicle recycler licence

Apply online at the Service NSW website.

To begin, select the ‘Apply now’ button below.

Your application will take about 20 minutes to complete.

This is for new applicants only.

Apply for a motor vehicle recycler’s licence

To apply in person as an individual, download and complete the  Individual application form.

To apply in person as a corporation, download and complete the Corporation application form

Take your completed application form and any supporting documents to your  nearest Service NSW Centre.

What happens after you make an application

Review application

We aim to assess your application within 30 business days.

We might contact you by email if we need more information.

You will get a copy of your licence if your application is successful

We will send an email to advise you if your application has been successful.

If your application is successful, the email will include a copy of your licence, and your details will be added to the public register.

If your application is unsuccessful, we will provide you with the reasons in writing including other options that may be available to you.

Unsuccessful applications

If your application is unsuccessful, you can apply for a review.

A review involves another officer from NSW Fair Trading, who was not involved in the original decision, reviewing the decision on your application.

Renewing your licence

You need to renew your motor dealer licence before it expires. You must not conduct business without a valid licence.

We will send you a renewal form about 4 weeks before the expiry date with details of how to renew.

If you’ve received your renewal notice, you can renew your licence online.

If your licence is not renewed by the due date it will expire, and you will no longer be authorised to conduct business.

Restoring your licence after expiry

If your licence has been expired for less than 3 months (92 days), you may be able to restore it (for a fee) at a Service NSW Centre.

You can use the details on your renewal form to apply to restore your licence.

If your licence is renewed or restored, you’ll be able to use your existing licence number. In this instance, your licence is considered to have been renewed from the day the licence expired.

If your licence has been expired for more than 3 months, restoration may not be an option. In this case you may need to reapply for a new licence.

To check the status of your licence, you can search the public register.

Change of licence details

As a licence holder, it is your responsibility to tell us within 14 days if your name, address or other details change.

To change your name or contact details, download and complete the Change of details form.

You can change your licence details in person at a Service NSW Centre, or by email to businesslicensing@customerservice.nsw.gov.au

Changing the details of your premises

‘Notified premises’ are places (excluding trade shows) where you intend to conduct business.

To change the details of your notified premises, download and complete the Change to Notified Premises form.

You must change your details:

• at least 20 business days before operating at your new premises
• within 20 business days of ceasing business at your premises.

You can change your licence details in person at a Service NSW Centre, or by email to businesslicensing@customerservice.nsw.gov.au

Working interstate 

There are several ways of working across borders and you can find information on each of these at our Working interstate and in New Zealand page. 

Automatic mutual recognition 

Under the Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme it is easier for occupational licence holders to work across state borders without having to apply for a second licence and pay fees. 

Under the scheme some interstate licensees can start work automatically in NSW and others will be required to notify us of their intention to work here. This does not include workers from Queensland as that state is not participating in AMR. 

To be eligible for the AMR scheme, you must hold a current licence or registration in your home state or territory for the activity covered by an occupation that you intend to do in the second state or territory. 

Visit the NSW Government website for more information about the AMR scheme.

Ask a question

If you need help with your application or have a question, please call 13 32 20.