Operator accreditation categories, fees and exemptions

Requirement to hold operator accreditation

Operator accreditation is a requirement if you provide road-based public passenger services that meet the service definitions provided below. Accreditation ensures that operators meet safety, reliability, and service quality standards. An operator must hold the category of operator accreditation relevant to the services they provide.

If you arrange bookings for a personalised transport service (such as a taxi, limousine or ride-booking vehicle with no more than 12 seats, including the driver) you must obtain a booking entity authorisation. However, if you also provide a service that meets one of the service definitions below, you may be required to hold both operator accreditation and booking entity authorisation.

Community transport services

A community transport service provides passenger transport that is:

• funded or subsidised by public money (provided by a Commonwealth, state or local government) or a charity
• provided for the benefit of a particular group, such as illness or injury

A particular group shares an identifiable characteristic like being sick or injured. A charity is a fund, foundation or institution devoted to the private or public relief of unfortunate or needy persons.

Community transport services can operate on scheduled, pre-booked or demand-responsive basis and fees may be charged.

Some community transport services are exempt from operator accreditation if they meet the criteria.

Courtesy transport services

A courtesy transport service provides free passenger transport using a vehicle owned or leased by an entity (for example, an organisation, person, or unincorporated body). If another bus operator provides the service on behalf of the entity it is not a courtesy transport service.

It is considered free if there is no:

• payment or other consideration
• required levy, donation or monetary contribution
• sign or container that indicates a payment is expected

Examples of courtesy transport service include:

• a car dealer providing transport using their owned/leased vehicles
• a hotel or resort courtesy bus, or an airport transport service.

Some courtesy transport services are exempt from operator accreditation if they meet the criteria.

School scheduled services

A school service, is a scheduled passenger service that is:

• only or primarily for the transport of school children to and from school
• operated on days when schools are open for instruction
• excludes services provided for school excursions.

There are different types of operator accreditation for school services:

• Prescribed services: Required if a funding or contractual arrangement with the department.
• Unfunded / non-declared and declared services: Required if school services are provided without funding or contractual arrangement.

Long distance scheduled services

A long-distance scheduled service is a scheduled passenger service where passengers are carried on an established route:

• for an average distance of at least 40km
• between non-adjoining service contract areas or routes.

Minor scheduled services

A minor scheduled service is a scheduled passenger service that is:

• not provided under a service contract
• provided under a service contract in an area or on a route with a population of 15,000 people or less

Urban scheduled services

An urban scheduled service is a scheduled passenger service provided under a service contract in an area or on a route with a population greater than 15,000 people.

Motorcycle tourist services

A tourist motorcycle service is a pre-booked tourist service using a motorcycle, motorcycle and sidecar, or motor tricycle. The service must be operated on a public itinerary to a common scenic or tourist attractions.

General services

Passenger transport service requiring operator accreditation that do not fit into any other category of operator accreditation and is not a booked hire service. This category typically applies to charter bus services.

Fees for operator accreditation

Current fees for operator accreditation and refund policy are available at Driver authorisation and operator accreditation fees.

Exemptions from operator accreditation

In Queensland, most passenger transport services must be provided by operators who hold accreditation and drivers who hold authorisation. However, some passenger services are exempt from these requirements.

Exemptions for taxi and booked hire services

Taxi and booked hire service (including limousines), are exempt from operator accreditation requirements.

However, this exemption does not apply if you use your vehicles to provide services other types of services. For example:

• if you’re a taxi operator with a government contract to provide a service, such as a school service or an on-demand transport service, you must hold operator accreditation.

Read more about taxi, limousine and booked hire for authorisation and service licence requirements.

Exemptions for community or courtesy transport services

Community and courtesy transport services are exempt if they meet one of the following conditions:

• no more than 2 vehicles available at any time, and each vehicle can be driven with a Class C (car) driver licence.
• the service is not available to the general community, regardless of the number and type of vehicles used.

If your community or courtesy transport service is exempt, you don’t need to hold operator accreditation or use authorised drivers.

Deciding if your community or courtesy service is not available to the general community

Your service is considered not available to the general community if it’s restricted to specific groups, such as those based on age, disability, medical condition or memberships.

Examples of services not available to the general community include:

• Transport for people with a disability and their carers.
• Services exclusively for residents or clients of specialised facilities, such as aged care homes, respite care facilities or nursing homes.
• Transport provided by as a sporting club for officials, team members, and their parents or guardians to attend training or events.
• Services solely for refugees or veterans.

Deciding if your community or courtesy service is available to the general community

A service is considered available to the general community, if it is open to everyone or serves a broad group within the community.

Examples of services available to the general community include:

• Courtesy transport for bowls club members if the membership is open to the general community.
• Transporting a wide group within a community to meet their needs unless specific conditions restrict who might use the service.
• Transport for members of a sporting or surf lifesaving club to attend social activities at the club.
• Transporting members of the public to a local community or medical centre.
• Pick-up and drop-off transport service for guests using a bus operated by a hotel, tourist resort, or backpacker hostel.

Exemptions for locally significant event services

You don’t need operator accreditation or authorised drivers if you provide transport for a locally significant event, and meet all the following conditions:

• The service operates in or near a local government area with a population less than 2500 people, based on the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data
• The service provides free transport to or from an event that is held no more than twice a year in or near the area. These events must be open to the general public, either free or with an entry fee (for example, an annual show day or race day).
• No more than 2 vehicles available at any time to provide the service.

If your locally significant event service is exempt, you don’t need to hold operator accreditation or use authorised drivers.

Providing more than one service category

If you operate multiple services, each service is assessed separately. Some services may require accreditation while others may be exempt.

References

Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994

• Section 14: Operator accreditation requirements.
• Section 15: Operator must hold operator accreditation.
• Schedule 3: Dictionary (for example, authorised booking entity, booking entity authorisation, community transport service, courtesy transport service).

Read the full Act on the  Queensland Legislation website.

Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Regulation 2018

• Section 19: When the requirement for operator accreditation does not apply.
• Section 69: When the requirement for driver authorisation does not apply.
• Schedule 8: Fees
• Schedule 9: Dictionary (for example, prescribed operator, tourist service, relevant service).

Read the full Regulation on the  Queensland Legislation website.