Automatic Mutual Recognition for buses
If you hold an interstate Bus Driver Authority, you may be able to work temporarily in NSW under Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR).
What is Automatic Mutual Recognition?
From 1 December 2022, all states and territories will participate in the Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme except for Queensland.
AMR enables holders of occupational licences, including a bus driver authority, to work in a second state or territory without having to get a licence, or pay fees, in that second state or territory.
Further information about AMR including notification requirements, compliance advice and how to notify NSW is available here.
Working under Automatic Deemed Registration
If a worker is eligible for AMR, they work under an Automatic Deemed Registration (ADR).
To work in a second state under an ADR, workers must hold a valid and current licence in their home jurisdiction. For most people, this is where they live and carry out most of their work.
Transport for NSW (Transport) will recognise all AMR-participating state and territory bus driver authorities. They will also recognise a NSW bus driver authority.
While working in NSW, workers must:
- only undertake activities they are allowed to perform under their home state driver authority
- comply with local regulations.
How interstate bus drivers notify Transport
- From the AMR page, bus drivers will access a list of all the occupations included in the AMR scheme.
- Bus drivers can find their occupation on the list and notify Transport using the link to the notification platform.
- The bus driver will begin a notification by creating a MyServiceNSW account.
- Bus drivers need to provide basic information such as name, address, home state and occupational number and expiry date. They also need to confirm they are not subject to criminal, civil or disciplinary proceedings in any state in relation to the occupation that they are notifying for.
- Transport will verify the information the bus driver has provided with their home state.
Regulating bus drivers working under Automatically Deemed Registration (ADR)
Bus drivers working under ADR in NSW will need to:
- be able to hand over a driver authority card for inspection at the request of an authorised officer (e.g. a NSW Police officer), and
- display a driver authority card, in a holder affixed to the interior of NSW buses, so that it can be easily seen by any passenger in the bus.
Bus drivers working under ADR in NSW will be able to use their home state driver authority card (or equivalent) for this purpose.
FAQs
Yes. Any person authorised by their home state to drive a bus will be entitled to work under ADR to drive a bus in NSW.
No, they will not be eligible for AMR. If a bus driver is a primary resident in NSW and their primary place of work is also in NSW, then they must apply for a substantive NSW bus driver authority under Mutual Recognition.
A bus driver working under ADR would be allowed to drive a bus in NSW while their home state driver authority is current. A driver will be required to notify NSW as soon as they renew their home state driver authority.
A bus driver working under ADR will be subject of the same level of compliance monitoring and enforcement as a substantive NSW bus driver. Home and second states are required to share information regarding any compliance or disciplinary activities undertaken in relation to a bus driver working under ADR.
Criminal, civil or disciplinary action taken in one state or territory could impact the status of their driver authority in any other state or territory; e.g., the person's ADR status could be cancelled in the other state or territory. A home state could also cancel or suspend a substantive driver authority.
Any bus driver working under ADR in NSW must comply with NSW legislation and regulation.
Just like for NSW bus drivers, operators must ensure the bus driver is authorised. For drivers with ADR this means the operator will record their home state licence number.
Any bus driver working under ADR in NSW can use their home state licence as evidence and their ADR through their MyServiceNSW account. This is the same process for other ADR workers such as driving instructors.
Yes. As per current requirements, bus operators should request a NSW Working With Children Check as part of their employee checking/vetting process if this is required.
Any bus driver working under ADR in NSW must comply with NSW legislation and regulation.
Yes. Any bus driver working under ADR in NSW must comply with NSW legislation and regulation.
Yes. Any bus driver working under ADR in NSW must comply with NSW legislation and regulation.