Uber Driver Requirements Australia 2026 (All States)
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To drive for Uber in Australia, you need a valid Australian driver’s licence, an ABN (Australian Business Number), GST registration, comprehensive car insurance that covers rideshare, and a vehicle that passes your state’s roadworthy inspection. Most new drivers are approved within one to two weeks of starting the application — if they have everything ready upfront.
Here’s exactly what’s required, state by state.
National Requirements Every Uber Driver Must Meet
These apply across every Australian state and territory. Get these sorted before you open the Uber Driver app.
Driver’s licence. You need a full Australian driver’s licence that has been held for at least one year. International licences are not accepted. Learner or probationary licences are not accepted.
Minimum age: 21 years. This applies nationally. There are no exceptions.
ABN (Australian Business Number). All rideshare drivers operate as sole traders, and Uber will not activate your account without a valid ABN. Registration is free and takes about 15 minutes at abr.gov.au. Choose “Individual / Sole trader” as your business structure and select “Taxi travel” or “Ride-sourcing” as your business activity.
GST registration. This catches almost every new driver off guard. Unlike most small businesses, Uber drivers must register for GST from their very first trip — the usual $75,000 annual turnover threshold does not apply to rideshare. Register for free through business.gov.au or via myGov when you get your ABN.
Background check. Uber runs a national criminal history check on all applicants. They initiate this themselves and cover the cost. The check typically clears within two to five business days. Serious traffic offences in the past three years, or certain criminal convictions, may disqualify you — Uber assesses these on a case-by-case basis.
Rideshare-endorsed car insurance. Your standard comprehensive policy almost certainly excludes commercial passenger activity. Contact your insurer specifically and ask about rideshare cover before you drive a single trip. Driving unendorsed puts your vehicle — and every passenger — at serious financial risk.
Vehicle Requirements for UberX
The requirements below apply to UberX, Uber’s standard service. Higher-tier services (Uber Comfort, Uber Black) have stricter rules — check the Uber website directly for those.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Doors | 4-door vehicle minimum |
| Age | No more than 10 years old (varies by state — see below) |
| Seats | Minimum 4 passenger seats |
| Air conditioning | Mandatory |
| Condition | No visible damage, stains, or strong odours |
| Registration | Must be registered in your Australian state |
| Signage | No commercial signage or heavy modifications |
Vehicle age rules vary between states. NSW and Victoria both enforce a 10-year maximum strictly. Check your state authority’s website for the current rule — Uber’s app sometimes lags behind state regulation updates.
State-by-State Accreditation Requirements
This is the part most new drivers miss. On top of Uber’s requirements, every Australian state and territory requires its own separate driver accreditation for rideshare. You need to apply for this independently — Uber does not do it for you.
| State | Regulatory Authority | Accreditation Required |
|---|---|---|
| NSW (Sydney) | Transport for NSW | Point to Point Transport driver accreditation |
| VIC (Melbourne) | Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria (CPVV) | CPVV driver accreditation |
| QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast) | Dept. of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) | Booked transport authority (driver and vehicle) |
| WA (Perth) | Dept. of Transport WA | Omnibus passenger transport licence |
| SA (Adelaide) | Dept. for Infrastructure and Transport SA | Accredited passenger transport driver |
| ACT (Canberra) | Access Canberra | Public passenger vehicle driver authorisation |
| TAS (Hobart) | Transport Tasmania | Hire car operator accreditation |
Apply for your state accreditation as early as possible — it’s frequently the longest step in the process. NSW and Victoria both typically take five to ten business days. Queensland can take longer, particularly if your vehicle inspection needs to be booked through an approved station.
Documents You’ll Need to Upload
When you apply through the Uber Driver app, you’ll be asked to submit:
- Driver’s licence (front and back photo)
- Vehicle registration certificate
- Proof of rideshare-endorsed car insurance
- Profile photo (clear headshot, no sunglasses, plain background)
- State accreditation certificate once approved
- ABN confirmation
The most common cause of delays is blurry or incomplete document photos. Take them in good light against a plain background. Uber’s app will flag any issues, but fixing them adds days to your approval timeline.
How Long Does Approval Take?
A realistic timeline for a prepared applicant:
- Day 1–2: Create Uber account, upload documents, ABN and GST registration sorted
- Day 1–5: State accreditation application submitted
- Day 3–7: Background check clears
- Day 5–10: Vehicle inspection booked and completed
- Day 7–14: State accreditation approved, Uber account activated
Drivers who have their documents ready and apply for state accreditation on day one are typically on the road within a week. Those who apply for state accreditation after Uber approves them — which is a common mistake — add another week to the process.
Practical Tips for Getting Approved Faster
- Get your ABN and GST registration on the same day. They’re on the same government platform and take 20 minutes combined. Don’t leave GST for later — it’s a legal requirement from your first trip, and some states require proof of registration as part of the accreditation process.
- Apply for state accreditation the same day you create your Uber account. Don’t wait for Uber’s background check to clear first. Run both processes simultaneously.
- Book your vehicle inspection early. In Sydney and Melbourne, approved inspection stations fill up quickly. Check availability before you think you’ll need the appointment.
- Take your profile photo seriously. A poor photo is the single most common reason for avoidable delays. Use natural light, a plain background, and no hat or sunglasses.
- Check your state authority’s website directly for current rules. CPVV, Transport for NSW, and TMR all publish up-to-date requirements. Uber’s app doesn’t always reflect recent regulatory changes.
- Confirm your insurance covers rideshare in writing. Some insurers offer verbal confirmation over the phone that doesn’t hold up at claim time. Get it in your policy document.
Ready to start? You can begin your Uber driver application here #affiliate — it takes about 15 minutes to create your account and start uploading your documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive Uber on a temporary visa in Australia?
Yes, provided your visa allows you to work in Australia. Student visa holders can generally drive Uber within their work hour limits (typically 48 hours per fortnight during study). Working holiday visa holders (subclasses 417 and 462) can usually drive without hour restrictions. Always check your specific visa conditions at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before applying — conditions vary by visa subclass and individual circumstances.
Do I need a special inspection for my car to drive Uber?
Yes, in most states. NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and the ACT all require a separate rideshare vehicle inspection at an approved inspection station. This is in addition to your regular registration roadworthy check. The inspection covers things like seat condition, air conditioning function, tyre depth, and overall vehicle presentation. Costs vary by state and inspection provider — budget roughly $50–$100.
What happens if I drive Uber before my state accreditation is approved?
Don’t. Driving for hire without the required state accreditation is illegal and can result in significant fines under state transport legislation. It also voids your rideshare insurance cover. Uber’s platform may technically allow you to go online before the state check is confirmed on their end — but the legal and financial risk is yours, not Uber’s. Wait until you have everything in order.
Last reviewed: 01/09/2026
