Apply for recognition of your non-WA PTD authorisation

The Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme is an Australian Government-led initiative (JobPass) and now applies in all Australian states and territories excluding Queensland. 

The AMR scheme makes it easier for workers who need to be licensed or registered for their job to work in other states and territories. Those eligible for AMR will not be required pay for a second licence if they are already licensed to perform the same activities in their home state. You may only work under AMR in Western Australia if your home state is participating (and vice versa).

How will AMR work in WA?

The Transport (Road Passenger Services) Act 2018 allows interstate PTD authorisation holders to transport passengers for hire or reward in WA for a continuous period of three months from the date they enter WA.  Please see the “Notifying the Department of Transport of your intent to operate under automatic mutual recognition” section below.
During this period, interstate PTD authorisation holders must notify DoT of their intent to operate under AMR by attending in-person at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) Centre, regional DoT centre or agent. If not, AMR will not apply. 

Are you eligible?

The automatic mutual recognition scheme is not available to people who:

• are subject to disciplinary proceedings (including any preliminary investigations or action that might lead to disciplinary proceedings) in relation to the occupation and, in respect to the AMR scheme, activities covered by that occupation. In the case of AMR, disciplinary proceedings also include preliminary investigations or action that might lead to criminal, civil or disciplinary proceedings.
• preliminary investigations or action would reach the relevant threshold when there is a realistic possibility (not necessarily likelihood) the investigations or action will lead to criminal, civil or disciplinary proceedings. 
• have conditions on their registration as a result of disciplinary, civil or criminal proceedings. 
• are personally prohibited from carrying on the occupation and (in respect to the AMR scheme) activities.
• have a suspended or cancelled registration (including interim deemed registration or automatic deemed registration).

If you are not subject to any of the above, you are eligible to apply for automatic mutual recognition if you:

• are not resident in Western Australia;
• hold an equivalent PTD authorisation from another Australian (excluding Queensland) state or territory that is current, valid and unrestricted; and 
• you have not yet transferred your driver’s licence to Western Australia.

If you have already been issued a WA driver’s licence, you must apply for a regular PTD authorisation. Visit How to apply for a PTD authorisation for more information.

How to apply

You must notify DoT of your intent to operate under AMR by showing your interstate equivalent PTD authorisation in-person at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) Centre, regional DoT centre or agent. You must:

• present your interstate driver’s licence (excluding Queensland);
• present your current and valid interstate equivalent PTD authorisation; and
• complete the E33: Mutual Recognition Registration form;

Remember – if you have already been issued a WA driver’s licence, you must apply for a regular PTD authorisation.

Requirements under AMR

Registered persons have a responsibility to be aware of, and understand and comply with, laws where they are working or where they are providing a service. A person who does not comply with the laws where they are working may be subject to disciplinary measures prescribed in those laws.

DoT shares information with other Australian jurisdictions under AMR. 

For more information on the legislation governing the passenger transport industry please see: Passenger transport driver responsibilities.

On-demand Booking Service (ODBS) providers have a safety duty to ensure the health and safety of their passengers and drivers. A chain of accountability framework, establishes that ODBSs have an obligation to ensure they meet their safety duties. In addition to their general safety duty, ODBSs must ensure that all drivers and vehicles they dispatch work to, or have association agreements with, meet the applicable safety standards outlined in the Act and associated regulations.