❓ This Question on Notice from Hon Steve Martin probes the WA government's involvement in an Austroads review of overseas driver's licence recognition, particularly concerning the ending of the EDR category and the Recognised Country Scheme. The answer indicates WA's participation in a taskforce but defers to Austroads for review details and documentation.
AnsweredQoN 1638Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to changes to the recognition of overseas drivers licences coming for WA residents advertised on the Department of Transport website on 16 October 2025 (https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/changes-to-overseas-drivers-licences) due to Austroads ending the EDR category, and the review of the Recognised Country Scheme advertised on the Austroads website (https://austroads.gov.au/drivers-and-vehicles/overseas-drivers/overseas-driver-licensing-policy-review) with an "early 2026" finalisation date, and I ask:(a) what is the status of the review and the finalisation of the update framework;(b) what involvement has the WA government had in the review;(c) has the WA government offered a view in the review process on the need for changes to the Recognised Country Scheme or related matters, and if so, what views were offered;(d) in relation to (c), can the Minister please table the relevant letters or representations made or any other related materials; and(e) in relation to (b), which office or body within the DOTMI was responsible for this work and how FTEs are employed within that office?
I refer to changes to the recognition of overseas drivers licences coming for WA residents advertised on the Department of Transport website on 16 October 2025 (https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/changes-to-overseas-drivers-licences) due to Austroads ending the EDR category, and the review of the Recognised Country Scheme advertised on the Austroads website (https://austroads.gov.au/drivers-and-vehicles/overseas-drivers/overseas-driver-licensing-policy-review) with an "early 2026" finalisation date, and I ask:
(a) what is the status of the review and the finalisation of the update framework;
(b) what involvement has the WA government had in the review;
(c) has the WA government offered a view in the review process on the need for changes to the Recognised Country Scheme or related matters, and if so, what views were offered;
(d) in relation to (c), can the Minister please table the relevant letters or representations made or any other related materials; and
(e) in relation to (b), which office or body within the DOTMI was responsible for this work and how FTEs are employed within that office?
I refer to changes to the recognition of overseas drivers licences coming for WA residents advertised on the Department of Transport website on 16 October 2025 (https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/changes-to-overseas-drivers-licences) due to Austroads ending the EDR category, and the review of the Recognised Country Scheme advertised on the Austroads website (https://austroads.gov.au/drivers-and-vehicles/overseas-drivers/overseas-driver-licensing-policy-review) with an "early 2026" finalisation date, and I ask:
(a) what is the status of the review and the finalisation of the update framework;
(b) what involvement has the WA government had in the review;
(c) has the WA government offered a view in the review process on the need for changes to the Recognised Country Scheme or related matters, and if so, what views were offered;
(d) in relation to (c), can the Minister please table the relevant letters or representations made or any other related materials; and
(e) in relation to (b), which office or body within the DOTMI was responsible for this work and how FTEs are employed within that office?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
9 June 2026
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport
Response time
5 days
(a) Austroads is yet to finalise its review of the national recognition of overseas driver’s licences.
(b – c) WA participates in the Austroads Registration and Licensing Taskforce, which includes an expert panel assessing country recognition applications against criteria set by Austroads-appointed experts.
(d) Austroads should be approached for request of release of papers as Austroads has engaged external consultants and may be subject to certain contractual agreements around confidentiality.
(e) Policy Officers from within the Driver and Vehicle Services’ Policy, Standards and Knowledge unit, are engaged in numerous WA and national driver and vehicle policy matters.
(b – c) WA participates in the Austroads Registration and Licensing Taskforce, which includes an expert panel assessing country recognition applications against criteria set by Austroads-appointed experts.
(d) Austroads should be approached for request of release of papers as Austroads has engaged external consultants and may be subject to certain contractual agreements around confidentiality.
(e) Policy Officers from within the Driver and Vehicle Services’ Policy, Standards and Knowledge unit, are engaged in numerous WA and national driver and vehicle policy matters.
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