Things to know before applying

An applicant may be any of the following:

  • an individual person
  • a body corporate (company, registered incorporated association, co-operative or other body corporate)
  • a partnership
  • an unincorporated body or association.

Before applying, you:

  • should determine whether you need to be accredited
  • must be able to demonstrate you have the competence and capacity to operate a commercial or local bus service safely
  • should consider the accreditation eligibility factors relating to criminal offences, previous bus operator accreditation and insolvency
  • must prepare and provide the supporting documentation required as part of the application. This includes competency and capacity documents, police checks, proof of identification, bus roadworthy certificates and certificates of business registration.

If you’re unsure how the requirements and eligibility relate to your bus service and circumstances, you can contact us on 1800 223 022 for advice.

Application form

Please note this form is to be used for individual applicants ONLY.

Group applicants must submit their application via email or post using our Bus Operator Accreditation form.

Safe Transport Victoria will send you an acknowledgement that your application has been received.

You may be required to provide more information.

When all information has been received and payment has cleared, ST VIC will commence assessing the application and determine whether to approve your accreditation. The Safety Director has up to three months to determine and may extend the determination if necessary.

If your application is approved, you will receive a bus operator accreditation certificate. Your accreditation is ongoing unless cancelled, suspended or surrendered.

If refused, you will be notified in writing, stating the reasons for refusal and your right to appeal the decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Safe Transport Victoria (ST Vic) collects and holds the personal information provided in this application to assist the Director, Transport Safety (Safety Director) to administer the Bus Safety Act 2009 (Vic) and Bus Safety Regulations 2020 (Vic).

ST Vic is committed to protecting personal information in accordance with its obligations under the Bus Safety Act 2009 (Vic). The personal information provided in this application may be disclosed to other government agencies in accordance with the Bus Safety Act 2009 (Vic) and the Transport Integration Act 2010 (Vic).

It is an offence under the Bus Safety Act 2009 (Vic) to give information that is false or misleading in relation to an application.

The individuals whose personal information is collected on this application have a right to seek access to this personal information and to seek correction of any error in the personal information held. All individuals whose personal information is included with this application should be informed of this fact.

For more information on privacy please refer to ST Vic’s privacy statement at safetransport.vic.gov.au/privacy.