Recognised Countries for a Driving Licence in Australia: It's a State List, Not National
There's no single national list of recognised countries for converting an overseas driving licence in Australia — each state sets its own. This video covers Queensland's 27-country list (updated 29 May 2026), New South Wales' 28-country list, and what happens if your country isn't on either. Figures as at September 2026.
Read the full guide, with official sources →
Watch
Chapters
- 0:00 Do you need a driving test?
- 0:12 Queensland's list:
- 0:24 New South Wales' list:
- 0:43 On the list?
- 1:01 12 more jurisdictions agreed
- 1:13 Experienced Driver Recognition
- 1:24 Not recognised?
- 1:34 Check your own state's
- 1:45 Where to read more
Transcript
Whether you need to sit a driving test in Australia doesn't come down to one national list — it comes down to which state or territory is issuing your licence.
There is no single Australia-wide recognised-country list. Queensland's list has 27 countries, last updated on 29 May 2026.
New South Wales runs its own list, separate from Queensland's — 28 countries, and it includes New Zealand, which Queensland's list does not.
So the two biggest states already disagree on the count and on who's included — check the list published by the state issuing your licence, not a general figure.
If your country is on the list your state uses, you can transfer to that state's licence without sitting the knowledge or practical test.
If your country isn't recognised — including India and the Philippines — you sit the same knowledge and practical tests as a new driver.
In July 2026, authorities agreed to recognise 12 more jurisdictions, but that rolls out progressively from late 2026 — an announcement isn't the same as it operating in your state yet.
Experienced Driver Recognition also ended across every state and territory in early 2026, so an older reason for skipping the test may no longer apply.
If you're not recognised, you can usually keep driving on your valid overseas licence — with a translation or International Driving Permit — while you prepare for the tests.
The one mistake to avoid is assuming another state's list, or an old list, applies to you. Check the current page for the state issuing your licence.
The full guide, with the official sources, is on migratio.com.au. The link is in the description.
Short versions
- There's no single 'recognised countries' list (0:29)
- What happens if your country isn't recognised (0:28)
- 12 more jurisdictions are coming — but not yet (0:30)
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