Last reviewed
Transport and driving licences
An overseas licence is often valid for a short stay, and the state you live in sets the transfer rule after that. Victoria uses a six-month mark, and South Australia lets temporary visa holders keep driving on a current overseas licence while permanent residents are expected to transfer. Public transport tickets are state systems too: South East Queensland uses Translink, and Sydney uses Opal.
Driver licences
How long can you drive on an overseas licence?
In Brisbane, start with the Queensland pages on overseas licences and transfers. Victoria uses a six-month mark, and in South Australia temporary visa holders can drive on a current overseas licence while permanent residents have three months to transfer.
- Queensland GovernmentChecked 24 Oct 2026Overseas licences in QueenslandWhen you can drive in Queensland on an overseas licence, and when you need a local one. (opens in a new tab)
- Queensland GovernmentChecked 24 Oct 2026Transfer to a Queensland licenceTests, translations, and identity documents for transferring an overseas licence in Queensland. (opens in a new tab)
- NSW GovernmentChecked 24 Oct 2026Visiting or moving to New South WalesNSW rules for driving on an interstate or overseas licence after you move. (opens in a new tab)
- VicRoadsChecked 24 Oct 2026Convert an overseas licence in VictoriaVicRoads on the six-month rule, recognised countries, and the tests if your country is not recognised. (opens in a new tab)
- SA.GOV.AUChecked 24 Oct 2026Transfer an overseas licence in South AustraliaTemporary visa holders can drive on a current overseas licence. Permanent residents have three months to transfer. (opens in a new tab)
Tickets
Which public transport ticket does your city use?
South East Queensland, including Brisbane, uses Translink for buses, trains, ferries, and trams. Sydney uses the Opal card and contactless payments from Transport for NSW.
- TranslinkChecked 24 Oct 2026TranslinkPublic transport across South East Queensland, including Brisbane. (opens in a new tab)
- TranslinkChecked 24 Oct 2026Translink tickets and faresgo card and contactless fares for buses, trains, ferries, and trams in South East Queensland. (opens in a new tab)
- Transport for NSWChecked 24 Oct 2026Opal ticketsSydney’s Opal card and contactless payments, from Transport for NSW. (opens in a new tab)
Sources
The answers above use these official pages. If a page and Life in Australia disagree, follow the official page.
- Overseas licences in Queensland (opens in a new tab) — Queensland Government
- Transfer to a Queensland licence (opens in a new tab) — Queensland Government
- Visiting or moving to New South Wales (opens in a new tab) — NSW Government
- Convert an overseas licence in Victoria (opens in a new tab) — VicRoads
- Transfer an overseas licence in South Australia (opens in a new tab) — SA.GOV.AU
- Translink (opens in a new tab) — Translink
- Translink tickets and fares (opens in a new tab) — Translink
- Opal tickets (opens in a new tab) — Transport for NSW