On this page: How do I apply? | Categories of accreditation | Assessment of application | How long does accreditation last? | How to check if an operator is accredited
Under the Public Transport Competition Act 1995, people who operate buses in Victoria are required to be accredited. A bus is defined to be a vehicle with 13 seats or more (including the driver). The accreditation regime does not, however, cover services that are covered by the hire car and special purpose vehicle licensing scheme administered by the Victorian Taxi Directorate (e.g. limousines).
Operators of commercial passenger vehicles that are not covered by the bus operator accreditation scheme may need to have their vehicles licensed by the Victorian Taxi Directorate.
If you require further information, please contact us or the Victorian Taxi Directorate.
How do I apply?
Applications for accreditation must be made on the approved application form and submitted with the accreditation fee. The Bus Operator Accreditation Help Kit provides a step-by-step guide on applying for accreditation.
Depending on the type of accreditation sought, bus operators applying for accreditation need to have:
- Evidence of completion of a transport management course approved by the Safety Director (non-commercial operators may be exempt from this requirement)
- A maintenance management system which includes programmed vehicle maintenance, vehicle inspections and defect reporting, and
- A management information system.
Categories of accreditation
There are five categories of accreditation.
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Category of accreditation: | | | |
Some examples: | |
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Scheduled Service | | | |
- A service available to the general public, such as set route bus services
- School bus services
- Some community bus services
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| Tour/Charter Service | | | |
- A charter service
- A tourist/sightseeing tour
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| Private Bus Service | | | |
- A bus service for a sporting team
- A service that isn’t operated for reward, such as a community service bus
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| Courtesy Service | | | |
- A service provided by a business for their customers or employees
- A service that isn’t available to the general public
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| Hire and Drive Service | | | |
- Driven by the hirer or person on behalf of the hirer
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Assessment of application
Applicants for accreditation need to be able to demonstrate the:
- ability to provide service to passengers
- ability to manage the safety of passengers and the public, and
- safety of vehicles and equipment
How long does accreditation last?
Accreditation lasts for five years. The Safety Director may renew an accreditation if a bus operator applies to the Safety Director for a renewal.How to check if an operator is accredited
Accredited operators must clearly display their operator's accreditation number next to the passenger loading door and accreditation number plates applicable to their accreditation category.
If the bus does not have the accreditation number displayed and/or its accreditation number plates fitted, then you should contact us.
If an operator is no longer accredited, they are not permitted to display the accredited bus number plates.
If a bus service is sold or transferred and the new owner is not accredited, or accredited under another category, then the new owner must apply for accreditation in the category required for the type of bus or service that is to be operated.
More information on number plates is available from the VicRoads website.