Driver authorisation and operator accreditation fees
Driver authorisation fees and operator accreditation fees must be paid in person when lodging your application. Driver authorisation and operator accreditation can be valid for up to 5 years.
Driver authorisation fees
All new applicants must pay a criminal history check fee of $49.30. A criminal history check fee is not required when you renew your driver authorisation.
Booked hire/taxi driver authorisation
| Term* | Eligibility assessment fee | Card fee | Authority term fee | Total cost as at 1 July 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $45.00 | $10.45 | $113.60 | $169.05 |
| 2 years | $45.00 | $10.45 | $207.40 | $262.85 |
| 3 years | $45.00 | $10.45 | $294.85 | $350.30 |
| 4 years | $45.00 | $10.45 | $382.35 | $437.80 |
| 5 years | $45.00 | $10.45 | $469.95 | $525.40 |
*Pro-rata fees apply when the term is not a full year.
General driver authorisation
There are no term fees for general driver authorisation.
Refunds
Criminal history checks
- The criminal history check fee is only refundable if your application is withdrawn before the close of business on the same day the application was lodged.
- Applicants are not entitled to a refund of the criminal history check fee if the application is refused.
- The criminal history check fee is not refundable if your driver authorisation is suspended or cancelled.
Booked hire/taxi driver authorisation
- The assessment fee is not refundable if you withdraw your application or your application is refused.
- The card fee is not refundable if the card has already been issued.
- Unused term fees are not refundable if your driver authorisation is suspended or cancelled.
- If you voluntarily surrender your driver authorisation in writing, a refund of the unused term fees may be approved where you have evidenced compassionate or compelling circumstances.
- If you are issued driver authorisation for a shorter term than you paid for, you are entitled to a refund for the unused term fee.
Dishonoured payments
- If we become aware that your payment has been dishonoured after lodging, we will notify you and provide an opportunity to make the payment. Your application will be refused if you do not pay the required fee.
- If your driver authorisation has already been issued, you will not be able to use your driver authorisation until the payment is made.
Operator accreditation fees
All new applicants for operator accreditation must pay a criminal history check fee of $49.30, the fee is exempted for driver authorisation holders. A criminal history check fee is not required for renewals.
| Operator accreditation category/service type | 3-month provisional application fee | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| Urban and minor scheduled services | $51.40 | $205.50 |
| School scheduled services—government contract services | Nil | Nil |
| School scheduled services—unfunded/non-declared area | $51.40 | $205.50 |
| School scheduled services—unfunded/declared area | $51.40 | $205.50 |
| Long distance scheduled services | $51.40 | $205.50 |
| General services—1–10 vehicles * | $102.95 | $411.85 |
| General services—11 or more vehicles * | $515.40 | $2061.50 |
| Motorcycle tourist services—1–10 vehicles | $102.95 | $411.85 |
| Motorcycle tourist services—11 or more vehicles | $515.40 | $2061.50 |
| Courtesy transport services ** | $51.40 | $205.50 |
| Community transport services ** | $51.40 | $205.50 |
* General services include any non-defined public passenger services.
** Fees for courtesy and community transport services are waived for charitable and community organisations receiving a registration concession.
Operator accreditation fees on application (form F4539) (PDF, 167KB).
Operator accreditation fee schedule and vehicle declaration (form F3858) (PDF, 56KB).
Refunds
Application and renewal
If an organisation is recognised by the department as a charitable organisation and the organisation has paid its full operator accreditation application or renewal fee, the organisation may be refunded the full application or renewal fees paid.
Criminal history check
The criminal history check fee is refundable:
- if the application is withdrawn before the close of business on the same day the application was lodged
- if an applicant has applied for driver authorisation in the last 3 months
- if an applicant holds existing driver authorisation.
Annual fees
Where there are compassionate and or compelling circumstances, unused annual fees paid may be refunded on request.
Dishonoured payments
- If we become aware that your payment has been dishonoured after lodging, we will notify you and provide an opportunity to make the payment. Your application will be refused if you do not pay the required fee
- If your operator accreditation has already been issued, you will not be able to use your operator accreditation until the payment is made.
How to apply
Check how to apply for driver authorisation or operator accreditation in Queensland.
More information
For more information on driver authorisations and operator accreditation fees, you can contact a: