Converting an interstate or New Zealand BDA (or equivalent) to NSW

Do I apply for Mutual Recognition or Automatic Mutual Recognition?

If you permanently live in NSW, and want to drive a bus in NSW, and hold a BDA in another state or territory, you must apply through mutual recognition for a new BDA.

If you live interstate and primarily work interstate but want to work in NSW temporarily, then you can notify Transport for NSW (Transport) of your intent to work under Automatic Mutual Recognition.

Regulating bus drivers working under AMR in NSW

Bus drivers working under AMR 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 AMR in NSW will be able to use their home state driver authority card (or equivalent) for this purpose.

Applying for mutual recognition

If you meet certain conditions, Transport will accept your BDA (or equivalent) from another Australian state, territory or New Zealand under an arrangement called Mutual Recognition.

This means Transport may not need you to:

• undertake any further bus driver training
• hold your unrestricted driver’s licence for a longer period.

Eligibility

To convert to a NSW BDA, you must:

• hold a current full driver’s licence issued in Australia.
• hold a current BDA (or equivalent) issued in either Australia or New Zealand.

Complete the Application for an authority to drive a bus.

What you need to apply for mutual recognition

Get your documents ready before you apply online to ensure your application is processed without delay. The best format for your documents is PDF.

You need:

1. A copy of your current NSW driver licence - front and back (scanned as a PDF). 
   If you don't have a valid NSW driver licence, you'll need to upload a digital photo of yourself.
2. A digital copy of your current interstate or New Zealand BDA (or equivalent). You can scan or take a photo of it using your phone.
3. Complete the Mutual Recognition Statutory Declaration (PDF 365.99KB).
4. New Zealand bus drivers must also provide a Certificate of Particulars that includes your BDA history and traffic offence history. A Certificate of Particulars can be obtained from the New Zealand Ministry of Justice by emailing: certificate.ofparticulars@nzta.govt.nz.
5. If you have held an interstate or overseas driver licence in the last 5 years, you will need to get a copy of your licence history and traffic record for each licence held from the relevant authority. Documents not in English must be officially translated.
6. The fee waiver for new Bus Driver Authority applications has been extended for a further 12 months, until 31 July 2026. The fee waiver was introduced on 1 August 2023 by the NSW Government as part of efforts to boost bus driver numbers in NSW.

While you will not need to provide a commercial medical assessment from your doctor when applying for a new BDA under mutual recognition, Transport will continue to assess your fitness to drive. After being issued with a BDA, you will be required to undertake medical assessments at regular intervals.

Transport will also continue to assess your suitability to hold a BDA against the Public Passenger Operators and Drivers Fit and Proper Policy. (PDF 373.14KB)

How long does the application take?

The online application process takes about 30 minutes, and you cannot save your progress.

Do not click on the back button, refresh the web page or close the window. If you do, you will go back to the start of the application and need to resubmit.

Once Transport for NSW receives your application, they will respond within 10 days.

If you have not had a response after 10 working days, please phone 02 8848 8700 or email: busapplications@transport.nsw.gov.au.