Authorised officers

Public transport operators employ staff to perform the role of Authorised Officers under the Transport Act 1983 and transport regulations. The Victorian Government’s Department of Transport authorises these officers. They are trained in the relevant law and procedures, and have passed a security check and interview.

If you travel on public transport without a valid ticket, and an Authorised Officer believes you had a reasonable opportunity to buy a short term ticket or top up a myki and/or touch on, the Authorised Officer should inform you in clear terms what offence she or he believes has been committed.

This also applies if you are detected or observed committing another offence under the Transport Act or regulations. The officer may inform you that they intend to report the matter to the Department of Transport and that you may receive an infringement notice in the mail.

The Authorised Officer will then ask you to state your name and address. You can respond orally, in writing or by producing documents confirming your details. Authorised Officers and police are empowered by section 218B of the Transport Act to obtain the name and address of a person reasonably believed to have committed an offence against the Transport Act or regulations.

Failure or refusal to give your name and address or giving false details to an authorised officer is also an offence. The authorised officer can also request evidence of your name and address.

For more information about Authorised Officers, visit the Department of Transport's website.