How to become an Uber driver in Australia

Uber has transformed the way we think about personal transportation. Just 10 years ago the company was a startup that nobody had heard about, and today we already use the word “Uber” as a verb. By the end of 2022, the number of Uber drivers has reached 5.4 million in 72 countries around the world. In Australia, Uber is officially the most popular means of private transport, having overtaken taxis. Several years ago, less than 7% of Australians had used Uber over a three-month period — now this figure is approaching 23% and the demand is still growing. If you want to become an Uber driver, this blog post is your one-stop-shop with short answers to all your questions.

How to become an Uber driver in Australia?

If you’re not already an approved Uber driver, the process starts with a bit of paperwork. Since 2020, Uber support and sign-up process has moved mostly online. Get familiar with the platform and start preparing your personal documents that you’ll need to upload in order to start driving with Uber in Australia.

What are the Uber driver requirements in Australia?

The regulations regarding Uber driver requirements in Australia have small differences in each state, but the process is more or less the same, regardless of where you live in the country.

Here’s what you need to get started with Uber:

To be at least 20 or 21 years old (depending on the state)
An Uber-approved car
A full AU driver’s licence, issued in your state - see more on Uber licence requirements
A special driver's license or accreditation that allows you to transport passengers
VEVO check - proof of your right to work in Australia.

State	Special licence	Required driving experience
NSW	Passenger Transport licence code	12 months
VIC	Driver Accreditation	6 months
ACT	D-condition licence	No minimum experience
WA	PTD authorisation	12 months
QLD	Driver’s authorisation	12 months
SA	Driver Accreditation	6 months

Read more about each state's Uber driver and car requirements:

What are the Uber car requirements in Australia

Uber inspects every single car before signing them up to their platform, and their requirements are getting stricter by the minute as the law requires higher and higher standards in passenger transport. Here are the requirements that apply to all Uber vehicles in Australia:

Furthermore, even if it’s not an official requirement, the best cars for Uber also have generous legroom, luggage space and a good fuel economy. Lately, many drivers switched to hybrid or fully-electric cars for on-demand driving, for the benefits and lower running costs they offer. If you're thinking about making the switch, learn how much fuel a hybrid car saves or how much it costs to charge an electric car in Australia.

What are the car requirements for each Uber ride type?

In Australia, there are several Uber service types available — UberX, Uber XL, Uber Comfort, Uber Premier, Uber Assist and Uber Pet. All Uber cars have to meet the standard requirements stated above and each service comes with additional eligibility criteria.

Ride type	Car requirements
Uber X	-Four-door model -Licensed to carry four to seven passengers
Uber XL	-4-door SUV or large passenger van -Licensed to carry six or seven passengers
Uber Comfort	-Mid-sized vehicle -7 years old or less -Comfortably seating 4 passengers -Extra legroom in the rear seats -Minimum 500 trips completed -Driver rating of 4.85 or above
Uber Premier	-Four-door model high-end model -Comfortably seating 4 passengers -Extra legroom -Minimum 20 trips completed -Driver rating of 4.6 or above
Uber Assist	-Four-door easy-access model -Seating for 4-7 passengers -Accommodate folding wheelchairs, walkers, collapsible scooters and other assistive devices;

Check the list of eligible vehicles for each Uber service type in your city.

What car insurance do I need to drive for Uber?

In order to drive for Uber, your car needs to be CTP-insured in the state you'll be driving. It must also be insured for a minimum of third party property damage and you have to be the insured driver. The cost of rideshare insurance generally depend on various factors that are unique to you, such as your gender, age, car type, driving history, and even where you park your car at night. All Splend cars are CTP-insured and you are nominated as the insured driver, ensuring both you and your subscription car are covered.

What are the steps to become an Uber driver in Australia?

If you meet the eligibility criteria and want to start driving with Uber, here are the steps you need to follow.

The first step is creating a driver account and signing up on Uber website. You can sign up here.

2. Upload your documents

To become an Uber driver, you need to upload the following documents:

Drivers licence
ID, Passport or birth certificate
Vehicle registration
Driving record
Background check
Profile photo

3. Get a vehicle inspection

Last, but not least, your car needs a roadworthy certificate before you start driving it for Uber. Vehicle requirements for the car inspection vary each state, so make sure to check them beforehand.

4. Start driving

After your application has been approved by Uber, all you need to do is start using the Uber Driver app to get ride demands, get on the road and start earning. If you already have a full AU driver’s licence and the minimum experience necessary, it can take 3-7 weeks to start driving Uber. Your application for one of the special licences mentioned above usually takes 2-6 weeks to process and approve, depending on the state you live in. Once you have that, you can sign up to Uber via the Uber Driver app by uploading the required documents, which takes a further 1-3 days to approve, and around 7 days to complete the security check.

TIP: At Splend we're ridesharing specialists. We can lead you through the steps to get started with ridesharing and set you up with an Uber-ready car. Get free Uber sign-up support

How can I get a car for Uber?

The general thought is that all you need to earn an income with Uber is a car and a smartphone. This is 100% true, and it's actually even simpler — you don’t need to have a car, or at least you don’t need to be a car owner to drive Uber. If your car doesn’t meet all of these requirements or it’s approaching nine years of age, check out the other options you have, such as car subscription, before considering to buy a new one.

Uber car subscriptions

Getting on a car subscription plan for Uber has a number of benefits, the minimal commitment and low barrier to entry are perhaps the main reasons many drivers choose subscription plans lately. If you don’t plan to drive Uber for years and years to come, it gives you peace of mind to know that our Flexi plan allows you to hand back the car at no cost after a six-week minimum period.

However, the perks of car subscription go way beyond that. Driving a car that’s part of a fleet makes paperwork, maintenance, and time management in general much more streamlined. And this means one thing — you can focus all of your energy on driving and earning an income.

If you want to own a car and also enjoy the flexibility of a subscription plan, Flexi own car subscription may be just what you need. This option has all the features that make subscriptions so convenient, and more. Our Flexi own is tailor-made for Uber drivers who want to work towards owning their car. You get a maintenance pack with all the essential replacement parts you’ll need for the duration of your contract, as well as the possibility to buy out up to 12 months sooner. Your car also comes with comprehensive rideshare insurance. Your excess km fees also count as early repayment, so you can think of them as an investment rather than an expense—the more you drive, the sooner you own the car.

About Splend

Splend makes car ownership easier, more affordable and more accessible for rideshare drivers by building everything they need to earn more, pay less and worry less into one affordable weekly payment. It’s smooth driving, with no surprises and the lowest total ownership cost you’ll find – which is how car ownership for rideshare drivers should be. For more information about Splend, make an appointment and drop by to your local Splend Hub, email us, or say hello on 1800 775 363.