Australia’s Recognised Country Scheme enables direct license conversion for drivers from specific countries whose licensing standards align with Australian requirements.
Recognised Countries and Requirements
Drivers from these countries are exempt from additional knowledge or practical testing due to equivalent licensing standards:
- Recognised Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man (licenses after April 1, 1991), Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Malta (licenses after January 2, 2004), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States.
Experienced Driver Recognition
Drivers aged 25 or older from certain countries with similar standards can convert their licenses without extra testing:
- Experienced Driver Recognition Countries: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hong Kong (SAR of China), Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Republic of Cyprus, South Korea, Republic of Serbia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Taiwan.
Upcoming Changes: Six-Month Transition Period
On April 30, 2025, Experienced Driver Recognition will end. Affected countries transport authorities are encouraged to apply for Recognised Country Status. A six-month transition period will allow drivers from these countries to convert their licenses without additional testing; after this period, further testing may be required.
For more, see Austroads (2024) Overseas Driver Licensing Policy Review.
