$8 million to review Queensland licencing system

• $8 million invested to review a new, digitally enabled licencing and registration platform, following multiple system failures over the last 12 months.
• Current system was first introduced in 1993 and is no longer fit-for-purpose.
• Transport and Main Roads will commence market engagement over the coming months to determine a practical and achievable approach to modernising this critical system.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish has today announced an $8 million investment to explore replacement options for the more than 30-year-old Transport Registration and Integrated Licensing System.

The system, first implemented by in 1993, is one of the Department’s core licensing, registration, and administration platforms, through which more than 4 million licences and nearly 6 million registrations are issued each year.

The Minister has called for the ageing systems replacement following multiple system failures, including the incorrect issue of double demerit points through the Camera Detected Offence Program.

It’s understood the system has become complex to maintain and modify and, as a result of the legacy architecture, maintenance and enhancement are both expensive and time consuming. 

This has led to an increasing number of technical issues being experienced.

A further issue has recently been identified where a number of Queenslanders were prematurely upgraded from a provisional to open licence despite not being old enough or having served the correct provisional licence period.

Approximately 86 Queensland licence holders have been identified, however the issue appears to stem back to 2013 when minimum age requirements for P1, P2 and open licences were introduced by the Newman Government.

Transport and Main Roads are contacting all impacted Queenslanders and reissuing licences. Those previously impacted, who now qualify for an open licence, will not have to have a new licence issued.

It is the Ministers expectation that any new system adopted will not only be future-proof and incorporate world-leading technology but also ensure value for money for the state of Queensland.

Transport and Main Roads is implementing the  recommendations from the reviews progressively, and will ensure there is a renewed focus on system governance.

Quotes attributable to Transport Minister Bart Mellish:

“The current system is not good enough.

“I expect more, and I believe the people of Queensland deserve a 21^st century solution.

“Reviews have been undertaken into the Camera Detected Offence Program and Emergency Vehicle Priority system issues reported in 2023, which identify a need to update the departments systems.

“The system supporting EVP is already on track for modernisation – and today I am putting $8 million on the table to investigate a new, digital solution for Queensland’s registration and licencing system.

“It’s time for a new system, which is easy to use, easy to change, and is fit-for-purpose in today’s digital world.

“Where issues like this are identified, I will always front up and tell Queenslanders. I have said that since day one.”

“I will also be speaking with the Director General of Transport and Main Roads and outlining to her my expectation that senior staff will be accountable for ensuring these types of errors are identified earlier, are eliminated and do not recur”.

Reports are available on request.

Ends.

Media contact:  Lesley Major – 0419 288 284