The following information was updated in December 2016

This is a question that many people still ask today. The short answer is yes, Uber is legal in almost every Australian state and territory.

The confusion about the legalisation of Uber stems from the fact that each state has handled rideshare regulation very differently. Check out our updates on Uber’s legal status in each state.

 

Australian Capital Territory

ACT was the first Australian state to legalise Uber in October 2015. The rideshare regulations in the ACT include background checks, car inspections, and insurance requirements.

Uber drivers must pay a $65 application fee and a $100 annual fee to operate in the ACT.

Related: How do I become an Uber driver in Canberra

New South Wales

NSW was the second Australian state to legalise ridesharing on the 17th of December 2015. Uber drivers were initially restricted from Sydney Airport, but recent changes mean that they can now pick up passengers from a designated pick up zone.

NSW law requires Uber drivers to have criminal and car safety checks.

Related: How do I become an Uber driver in Sydney

Western Australia

Western Australia became the third Australian state to legalise Uber, just one day after NSW. A new licence category was created for Rideshare services.

Related: How do I become an Uber driver in Perth

Victoria

Following a deal that allowed the Andrews government’s lawmakers to deregulate the taxi/rideshare industry, Uber was legalised in Victoria in August 2017.

Related: How do I become an Uber driver in Melbourne

Queensland

Ridesharing was legalised in QLD in September 2016, allowing Uber to grow its market share further by expanding into the Sunshine State.

Related: How do I become an Uber driver in Brisbane

South Australia

In April 2017, the South Australian government and Uber reached an agreement, making the rideshare provider fully accredited in Adelaide.

Related: How do I become an Uber driver in Adelaide

Tasmania

On Tuesday the 8th of November 2016, rideshare was legalised as the government exempted drivers from needing a special licence to carry paying passengers.

Uber officially launched in Hobart on Friday 2 December, with 70 driver-partners on board.

Northern Territory

Uber is not yet operating in the Northern Territory (NT), making Darwin the only Australian capital city that misses out on Uber.

Uber and the NT government are in discussions about launching the rideshare service, which is only likely to occur after conducting a review of the hire car industry in the state.

Early indications are that Uber launch in the Northern Territory in 2017.

About Splend

Splend offers more than just a car for Uber. We’ll help steer your career.

In addition to new-model cars and all the essentials to start earning money with Uber as quickly as possible, our customers enjoy driver training and dedicated support, as well as customer benefits such as partner discounts and exclusive events.

For more information about Splend, drop by to your local Splend Hub email us or say hello on 1800 775 363.