Huge change coming for thousands of expats living in Australia – as minister slams loophole

International driver’s licence holders from all Australian visa classes may soon be forced to convert to a New South Wales licence after three months in the state, the transport minister says.

New South Wales transport minister Andrew Constance on Thursday announced he was seeking legal advice on a loophole which enabled some visa class holders, such as those on student visas, to avoid switching over to a NSW licence. 

Permanent residents are not among this category.

Road penalties are also applied differently for international licence holders.

Mr Constance said he was infuriated by reports ex-NRL star Sam Burgess racked up more than 30 driving offences in NSW while on a UK licence, and thus did not have his licence revoked.

Burgess, as a permanent resident of NSW, was obliged to switch to a state licence within three months.

The English footballer was this week fined more than $1,000 but spared a conviction after drug driving in an unregistered BMW on a highway south of Sydney.

He also pleaded guilty to driving without a NSW driver’s licence while a resident.

‘It’s really disappointing when we have someone people look up to as a footballer have this kind of record,’ Mr Constance said.

‘I’m actually disgusted at the regime in relation to international driver’s licences and the fact he can rack up more than 30 offences. That’s disgusting.’

Mr Constance called on Burgess to avoid getting behind the wheel and said he’d also liaise with police on the matter.

‘I’m absolutely hellbent on making sure this regime is back in place before we see the resumption of international travel back into Australia,’ Mr Constance said.

Burgess retired in 2019 due to a chronic shoulder injury, having amassed a 270-game NRL and English Super League career and stints with England’s national rugby union and rugby league sides.