When you apply to become a bus driver, we have certain criteria to ensure that you can provide safe services. We assess your medical fitness, driving history, and conduct a check on your criminal background.
Once you receive accreditation, you can work as a CPV or bus driver anywhere in Victoria, including border regions where trips may start within Victoria.
Do I need to be accredited?
A bus driver is only obligated to hold a driver accreditation (DC/DA) if they are operating a commercial bus service, a commercial minibus service, tour and charter service, or a local bus service.
This means driver accreditation is necessary for drivers operating commercial:
· route services – including public service buses or contracted school bus services
· demand responsive service
· tour and charter services
· courtesy bus services with a seating capacity exceeding 13 passengers.
Check your eligibility
Check you’re eligible to apply for an accreditation before you start your application. To be eligible, you must:
- have a full, current Victorian driver licence
- have held a full Australian or New Zealand driver licence for at least six months
- be medically fit to drive a bus
- pass a national criminal history check
The accreditation will not expire provided you continue to meet these requirements.
Do not start a new application if you:
- have a current driver accreditation
- have an expired driver accreditation
- have already started or submitted an application for accreditation
- want to change the type of service you offer – instead email us.
Application process
There are 5 simple steps to apply for your driver accreditation.
- Sign up to the user portal or log in here
- Confirm your identity by uploading a clear and readable selfie of yourself holding your current Victorian driver licence
- Provide clear and readable copies of your identification documents.
You must provide one document from this list:
- full Australian birth certificate
- current Australian passport
- Australian visa (current at time of entry to Australia as a resident or tourist)
- ImmiCard issued by Immigration and Border Protection
- Certificate of Identity issued by Foreign Affairs and Trade to refugees and non-Australian citizens for entry to Australia
- Document of Identity issued by Foreign Affairs and Trade for travel purposes
- a certificate of evidence of resident status.
You must provide two different documents from this list:
- Certificate of Identity or Document of Identity issued by Foreign Affairs and Trade
- convention travel document secondary (United Nations) issued by Foreign Affairs and Trade
- foreign government-issued documents (for example, driver licence)
- Medicare card
- enrolment with the Australian Electoral Commission
- security guard or crowd control photo licence
- evidence of the right to an Australian government benefit (Centrelink or Veterans’ Affairs)
- consular photo identity card issued by Foreign Affairs and Trade
- photo identity card issued to an officer by a police force
- photo identity card issued by the Australian Defence Force
- photo identity card issued by the Australian government or a state or territory government
- Aviation Security Identification Card
- Maritime Security Identification card
- Australian tertiary or secondary student photo identity document
- certified academic transcript from an Australian university
- trusted referee’s report.
Note: Credit or debit cards cannot be used as proof of identity. Make sure the documents are clear and easy to read to avoid delays in processing your application.
If your name is different to those on your documents, you must provide one of the following:
- marriage certificate issued in Australia
- divorce papers showing the name you reverted to
- deed poll (issued before November 1986 in Victoria)
- Change of Name Certificate (issued after November 1986 in Victoria).
- Complete your medical assessment
Your application’s approval or rejection depends on the outcome of your medical check, which must be repeated every three years.
Complete this process via the user portal.
- Pay your application fee
Pay your fee by card through the user portal.
How we process your application and registration
We’ll review your application and let you know as soon as possible if it’s approved. We may ask for more information or documents.
Your application could be denied if your medical or police check doesn’t meet requirements, but you can request a review.
We only use your contact details to contact you about your driver accreditation and the industry.
If your application is successful, the following will also display on our Public Register:
- your name
- driver certificate number (for example, DC12345)
- if you can provide wheelchair accessible services.
For more information, read our privacy policy. You can also read the Victoria Protective Data Security Standards.
If you wish to dispute the outcome of your application result, you must email us at driver@safetransport.vic.gov.au within 28 days of being notified.
Provide as much information as possible to support your dispute.
Fees
Some fees apply for the application process. There are also annual fees you must pay to keep your accreditation.
| Type | Current fee |
| Application for bus driver accreditation | $76.30 |
| Application for dbus river accreditation via mutual recognition | $29.40 |
| Bus driver accreditation annual fee* | $34.00 |