Transfer a Foreign Driver Licence to Australian.
When migrating to Australia, a driver must consider the validity of their Driving Licence
People from most countries will need to pass knowledge and driving tests, in the Australian state that they are moving to, before they are able to get an Australian Driver Licence. However, there are some countries that are considered to have equivalent driving tests to Australia, and these licence holders may be able to just swap their licence for an equivalent Australian one, with no extra testing.
Most new Permanent Resident migrants are allowed around 3 months driving on their old countries licence, (to allow time for tests etc) before needing to have obtained an Australian licence.
Six Months Validity for Foreign Drivers in New South Wales.
Temporary visa holders will need to convert to a NSW licence within six months if they intend to reside continuously in NSW for six months or more and wish to continue to drive.
Applicants should give themselves enough time to meet all the relevant requirements to obtain their NSW driver licence.
Six Months Validity for Foreign Drivers in Victoria.
From October 2019, an Overseas Driver Licence holder in the state of Victoria, is only allowed to drive for up to 6 Months, on their foreign licence, irrespective of Visa held.
During that 6 months, they must prepare to obtain an Australian driver licence, if they plan to stay for over 6 months.
After the 6 months period is finished, their overseas licence is no longer valid for driving in Australia.
The following is an example for Foreign Drivers in New South Wales.
Licence holders from the following countries, do not have to pass knowledge and driving tests when applying for a NSW car (class C) or rider (class R) licence:
Austria
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Canada
Croatia
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Guernsey
Ireland
Isle of Man (licences issued since 1 April 1991)
Italy
Japan
Jersey
Luxembourg
Malta (licences issued or renewed since 2 January 2004)
Netherlands
New Zealand, (except for paper licences)
Norway
Portugal
Singapore
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States of America
Licence holders from the following countries, who are 25 years of age or older, do not have to pass knowledge and driving tests when applying for a NSW car (class C) or rider (class R) licence:
Bulgaria
Republic of Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Hong Kong (Important: Hong Kong licence holders must have held a Hong Kong licence for a minimum period of 12 months)
Hungary
Latvia
Lithuania
Poland
Romania
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea (Republic of Korea)
Taiwan
Sources: