Bus service accreditation

To operate a bus service in the ACT you need accreditation.

The types of bus services which need accreditation in the ACT include:

• long distance or interstate bus services that pick up passengers in the ACT
• regular route bus services which operate to a timetable
• demand response bus services
• tour and charter bus services which collect passengers within the ACT.

Bus services that don’t need ACT accreditation are those:

• entering the ACT and setting down and picking up the same interstate passengers
• privately contracted or complimentary bus services to the public for free. These bus services still need to meet the disability access requirements under the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Cth).

To drive a bus in the ACT you need a public vehicle driver licence.

Read about public driver licences.

If you are a bus service operator in another state or territory, you may be eligible to work in the ACT under the Automatic Mutual Recognition Scheme.

Read about automatic mutual recognition.

Eligibility

Only applicants considered a ‘suitable person’ are eligible for accreditation.

The suitable person requirement applies to each:

• director, partner or office holder
• operations manager
• person responsible for the day-to-day management of the service.

What you’ll need

As well as meeting the requirements for a suitable person, you will need to:

• provide your proof of identity
• provide proof of qualifications
• provide results of a national police check or an ACT Working with Vulnerable People check
• register, insure and licence your vehicles.

The Bus Service Accreditation Application Package [PDF 880 KB] [DOCX 1.0 MB] includes:

• a checklist to see whether you are a suitable person
• authorisation for Access Canberra (the Road Transport Authority) to release records
• the minimum service standards for operating a bus service. The minimum service standards are what you’ll be audited against as part of Access Canberra's Audit and compliance programs
• information about record keeping
• information about accreditation approval and refusal
• the application forms.

Qualifications

If you operate more than 5 buses under your accreditation, a person involved in the daily management of the bus service must hold one of:

• Certificate of transport management
• Certificate of transport management (NSW).

Minimum standards

You will need to meet the minimum service standards set out under the Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) Regulation 2002. 

Police checks

In addition to meeting the requirements of a suitable person. You also need to provide:

• a police check results report or National Police Certificate
• a clear copy of photo identification.

Apply for a National Police Check.

Alternatively, you can provide one of the following:

• a current Working With Vulnerable People card (non-restricted)
• a National Police Certificate or police check results report which is less than 6 months old from the date of your application.

Insurance

• You need to maintain a current public vehicle licence policy at a minimum value of $5 million at all times when operating your bus service.
• Your insurance policy needs to be in the name of the accredited bus service operator and should detail the registration number of the vehicles you operate.

Driver licensing

Whomever operates the buses will need an ‘O’ endorsement on their ACT driver licence.

Read about public vehicle driver licences.

Apply for accreditation

The accreditation package includes the application forms and a checklist to help you put together your application.

1. Complete the Application form and the Authorisation form in the Bus Service Accreditation Application Package [PDF 283 KB] [DOC 5.26 MB].
2. Include all relevant documents listed in the Applicant checklist. If you’re applying as a business entity you also need to provide:
   • a certificate of registration of corporation
   • an extract of Australian Securities and Investment Commission documentation listing details of partners and directors
   • if using a 'trading as' name, a copy of the certificate of registration of business name.

3. Submit your application by:
   • email to bus_accreditation@act.gov.au
   • post to Public Transport Regulation, Access Canberra, PO Box 582, Dickson ACT 2602.
4. Pay the fee. You can do this online.

If approved, your accreditation is valid for up to 6 years and can be renewed using the same forms.

Fees

The fees are:

Pay an accreditation application fee

Accredited ACT operators

These are accredited operators in the ACT.