Taxi vouchers and transport support.

Taxi subsidy schemes are a way of providing accessible transport to people who cannot use public transport because of their disability.

Each Australian state and territory has a taxi subsidy scheme. However, each location has different eligibility criteria and works slightly differently.

We’ve outlined some starting points for the disability taxi vouchers scheme in each state below, along with some other connected supports.

 

Queensland Taxi Subsidy Scheme (TSS).

In Queensland, the Taxi Subsidy Scheme is for people with severe disabilities. It covers half of the total taxi fare, up to a maximum of $30 per trip. The remainder of the fare must be covered by the traveller.

For example, if your total fare is $60, TSS will pay $30. You pay the driver $30 from your own money. 

Eligibility

1. You must be a permanent QLD resident; and
2. Meet a minimum of one of the following eligibility criteria:
   1. Physical disability requiring dependence on a wheelchair for all mobility outside the home
   2. Severe ambulatory problem that cannot functionally be improved and restricts walking to an extremely limited distance
   3. Total loss of vision or severe visual impairment (both eyes)
   4. Severe and uncontrollable epilepsy with seizures involving loss of consciousness
   5. Intellectual impairment or dementia resulting in the need to be accompanied by another person at all times for travel on public transport
   6. Severe emotional and/or behaviour disorders with a level of disorganisation resulting in the need to be accompanied by another person at all times for travel on public transport.

How it works.

Once approved, you will receive a TSS card to use which lasts for up to five years. Shorter memberships may be available for people with temporary disability. TSS members may be accompanied by an assistance animal.

Lift payment.

TSS members using a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) for a trip can also access an additional Lift payment of $25 (including GST). These payments go directly to the taxi booking company or the operator and are not added onto the fare.

Each journey must meet certain eligibility requirements and payments are not available for other personalised transport such as Uber or Ola.

For more information refer to Taxi Subsidy Scheme and Lift Payment.

 

NSW Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS).

In NSW, the TTSS supports residents who are unable to use public transport due to a severe and permanent disability. It provides a subsidy of 50% of a taxi fare up to a maximum of $60.

Eligibility.

1. You must be a permanent Australian residents and normally reside in a NSW; and
2. Not be a member of a similar scheme in another state or territory; and
3. Be over school age (not pre-school age); and
4. Have a severe and permanent disability that falls under one of the following categories: ambulatory/mobility/functional, epilepsy, intellectual disability, vision, speech and/or hearing.

How it works.

To apply for the NSW TTSS, you’ll need to complete an application form and have your  doctor or medical specialist complete relevant sections too. You also need to supply other supporting documentation, such as photos of yourself and medical reports. Successful applicants get a smartcard which can be used to claim the subsidy portion of your fare.

For more information and how to apply, go to Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme.

 

Victoria Multi Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP).

The MPTP in Victoria assists with travel requirements of people with accessibility and mobility challenges by offering subsidised commercial passenger vehicle fares. Members receive a subsidy of 50% of a taxi fare up to a maximum of $60. There is an annual limit of $2180 for the subsidy portion.

Eligibility.

1. You must be a permanent Australian resident living in Victoria; and
2. Have a severe disability that your doctor deems is not likely to improve with treatment; and
3. Be unable to use public transport safely on your own; and
4. Be able to demonstrate financial hardship such as via a Centrelink issued concession card.

How it works.

The MPTP program is available for use in taxis as well as Oiii vehicles, UberX, UberAssist, UberXL, Comfort and Premier services and Get Picked Up.

Lifting Fee

Safe Transport Victoria pays a lifting fee of $30 to the driver for helping MPTP members in wheelchairs or scooters get into wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs). The fee recognises the additional time it takes a driver to safely load and unload a passenger in a wheelchair or on a scooter. 

For more information, and how to apply, visit Multi Purpose Taxi Program. 

 

South Australia taxi fare subsidy scheme. 

The South Australian taxi fare subsidy scheme is delivered as part of the South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme. It has two different tiers:

1. 75% taxi subsidy (max $30 per trip) for wheelchair users (conditions apply)
2. 50% subsidy (max $20 per trip) for other eligible travellers.

Eligibility.

1. Applicants must be a permanent resident of South Australia.
2. Applicants must have a severe and permanent disability which limits capacity to use public transport independently. A functional assessment, not diagnosis or type of conditions is the basis for eligibility.
3. Applicants must also be able to supply evidence of their inability to use public transport independently or with a companion/carer.

 How it works.

The scheme provides members with up to 80 trips for subsidised taxi travel. A member is not eligible for more than 80 trips in a 6 month period. The subsidy applies to the first $40 of a taxi fare. The member must cover the full amount of any fare over the $40 maximum fare limit.

Applicants who are under 65 and may be eligible for the NDIS must complete an NDIS access request first.

For more information, and how to apply, visit Taxi fare subsidy scheme.

 

Tasmania taxi subsidy program.

In Tasmania, eligible people can apply for subsidised taxi travel which includes different discounts for wheelchair users and non-wheelchair users.

1. A 50% discount of up to $25 a trip for non-wheelchair users 
2. A 60% discount up to $30 per trip for wheelchair users (conditions apply).

Eligibility.

1. You must live in Tasmania; and
2. Have a permanent and severe physical disability; and
3. Meet the low income test (be the holder of a current relevant concession card) or be wheelchair dependent.

How it works.

Eligible applicants are provided with a Taxi Subsidy Smartcard which can be scanned at the taxi payment terminal at the end of each trip.

For information and how to apply visit Taxi Subsidy Program.

 

Western Australia taxi user subsidy scheme (TUSS).

TUSS is a subsidy available to eligible people with disability travelling in taxis. There are a few different tiers depending on your disability and the vehicle you travel in.

Eligibility.

1. You must be a permanent resident of Western Australia; and
2. Have a mobility, vision and/or cognitive or intellectual disability that will always prevent you from using public transport; and
3. Be over 10 years old or less than 10 and use a wheelchair.

How it works.

A successful applicant may be granted temporary or permanent access to the TUSS. A standard subsidy of 50% of the fare up to a maximum of $25 is provided for non-wheelchair users.

For wheelchair users, subsidies vary depending on whether you’re travelling with a wheelchair and whether you’re in a standard or wheelchair accessible taxi. Interstate travel voucher books are also available.

For information and how to apply visit Taxi user subsidy scheme.

 

Northern Territory transport subsidy scheme (TSS).

The TSS provides subsidised travel in any taxi, minibus, private hire car and rideshare vehicles where TSS processing is available.

Eligibility.

1. Applicants must be a resident of the Northern Territory and be able to provide evidence of residency; and
2. Not able to safely travel on a public bus; and
3. Be assessed by a medical practitioner or allied health professional as having a permanent or long term disability which prevents you from accessing the public bus network.

How it works.

The scheme provides eligible persons with a subsidy of half of the total fare. The other half of the fare is paid by the member. Each user gets an electronic smartcard that can be used to make a partial payment on an EFTPOS machine. 

Lift incentive scheme (LIS) for wheelchair users.

If eligible, for every journey you complete while using a wheelchair accessible vehicle, the LIS will provide a $20 incentive to the driver. The lift incentive is not transferable or redeemable for cash and can’t be used as part of the fare.

For information and how to apply visit Transport subsidy and incentive schemes.

 

ACT taxi subsidy scheme (TSS). 

The ACT TSS provides financial support to residents with a disability or mobility restriction that prevents the use of public and community transport. 

The scheme provides several subsidy levels to members: 

• 50% (to a maximum $29 subsidy per trip)
• 75% (to a maximum $44.50 subsidy per trip).

Eligibility is not income tested.

Eligibility.

1. You must be a permanent resident of the ACT or an asylum seeker; and
2. Have a severe or profound activity limitation that prevents you from using public transport; and
3. Not be a member of an interstate taxi subsidy scheme.

How it works.

Eligible members are allocated a smartcard which can be presented to process the fare. Proof of identification may also be required. There is a maximum limit of 854 trips per financial year. The trips are pro-rated depending on when the membership starts and ends

For application details and more information, visit Taxi subsidy scheme.

 

Top tip: Travelling interstate? While standard taxi subsidies in your home state cannot be used in other states or territories, most programs offer a limited number of vouchers for use interstate if you ask for them. Ensure you apply several weeks before travelling so they can be processed in time.

 

State taxi subsidy schemes and the NDIS.

If you’re on the NDIS and cannot use public transport without substantial difficulty due to your disability, you may be able to access funding through the NDIS for transport assistance if it meets the NDIS spending criteria. 

Keep in mind that from 3 October 2024, the NDIS will only fund supports related to the impairments that led to your acceptance onto the scheme. This means you can only spend money in your NDIS plan on supports that relate to the impairment identified during your initial access request.

Where transport funding is included in your NDIS plan, you may be able to claim the full cost of the taxi fare rather than just a proportion claimable through state-run schemes.

It’s important to mention membership of any taxi subsidy schemes when you first join the NDIS as any NDIS funding for transport will take into account other transport supports.

For more information, view our story, Travel and transport funding under the NDIS.

Originally published 28 January 2019, updated 27 February 2023 and 17 October 2024.