Driving with a New Zealand license in Australia

Australian country road
CC photo by nelsonminar

If you’re a New Zealander visiting Australia, your current drivers license will be sufficent as long as it is valid, current and hasn’t been suspended.

If however you are planning to migrate permantenly or stay in Australia for longer than 3 months, you’ll need to get your license changed over to an Australian one. The rules and process for doing this differs between states.

Victoria

If you’re moving to live in Melbourne or another town in Victoria, you’ll need to phone and make an appointment to change your license over.
Call VicRoads on: 13 11 71. If you’re calling from New Zealand, the international number is: + 61 3 9854 7763.

You will not have to sit any tests to receive your new license but you will need to bring the following:

  • Evidence of Identity. There are quite a few things you need so VicRoads have provided this handy Evidence of Identity Checklist
  • Your completed application form. This can be downloaded from the Vic Roads website.
  • Your New Zealand drivers license. Unfortunately this will need to be surrendered in order for you to receive your new license.

If your New Zealand license is no longer valid, check the Vic Roads website for more information about what you can do to obtain your Victoria license.

Queensland

If you’re moving to Brisbane, the Gold Coast or anywhere else in Queensland you’ll need to apply for your new license through the Queensland Governments ‘Transport and Main Roads’ department if you are staying for longer than three months. As long as your New Zealand license is valid, you will not be required to sit a test.

To get your license you’ll need to:

  • Complete the application form
  • Provide your New Zealand license
  • Show evidence of your identity. More information can be found on the Queensland Government website
  • Pay the license fee

More information can be found on the Queensland Government website.

New South Wales

As in the other states mentioned above, the three month rule applies in New South Wales. This means that you if you stay longer than three months you’ll need to get a NSW license to continue to be able to legally drive. As a New Zealand citizen you will be exempt from sitting a test as long as your license is current and valid.

To get your new license, you’ll need to visit an RTA motor registry (find one here) in NSW and bring the following:

  • Your New Zealand license
  • Your address in New South Wales
  • Proof of your identiy
  • Money for the licensing fee

More information is available on the NSW Goverment Roads and Traffic Authority website.

Western Australia

Like in the states listed above, you are exempt from taking a test if you hold a current, valid New Zealand drivers license. More information is available on the Goverment of Western Australia Department of Transport website.

Northen Territory

Information can be found on the Northern Territory Transport Group website.

Tasmania

Information can be found on the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources website.

Note:

We try to keep all information on Tasman Jumper up to date but the rules for licenses can change from time to time. To double check the rules, visit the website for the area you are moving to:

Melbourne (VIC), Brisbane (QLD), Sydney (NSW), Western Australia (WA), Darwin (NT), Tasmania.

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