Uber Driver Requirements in Australia: Licence, Documents and Background Checks

The three layers of requirements

If you're researching what it takes to drive with Uber in Australia, it helps to separate the requirements into three layers. The first layer is what Uber requires of everyone. The second is what your state or territory regulator requires — usually a driver authorisation or accreditation. The third is the paperwork you have to assemble to satisfy both.

Most confusion arises because the layers use similar words for different things. Uber talks about "requirements" and "documents"; your regulator talks about "accreditation", "authorisation" or a "licence code". They are not the same, and you generally need both. This article separates them so you can see what applies where.

National requirements Uber sets

Uber's Australian drive requirements page (checked 9 October 2026) lists the baseline that applies across the country. Applicants must:

• be at least 20 years old (21 in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania);
• hold a valid full driver's licence in their state or territory;
• meet the state or territory licence-tenure requirement;
• have access to a vehicle that meets Uber's vehicle requirements;
• be listed as an insured driver for the vehicle; and
• provide the documents required in their state or territory.

Note the wording: a full licence, not a provisional one. If you're still on a learner or provisional licence, the age and tenure rules mean you generally won't qualify yet.

Licence tenure and regulator rules: state by state

The licence-tenure requirement is where the states and territories diverge most. The table below draws only on Uber's requirements page and the named regulators, as published and checked on 9 October 2026. Treat it as a starting point and confirm your own case with the relevant regulator — the New South Wales rule in particular is in transition.

Documents you'll be asked for

Uber's Required Documents page (checked 9 October 2026) lists the core documents it asks for:

• a valid, full driver's licence for your state or territory;
• proof of identity / right to work in Australia (exceptions apply in some states);
• vehicle registration;
• a driver profile photo; and
• any state or territory-specific documents.

Uber notes that original documents are required and that review can take up to about 2 hours once submitted. That 2-hour figure is Uber's review step only — it does not include the weeks a state authorisation or background check may take.

Background checks

Uber requires a criminal background check, and the provider and process vary by city. In New South Wales, the check runs through National Crime Check (NCC) and is usually processed within about 14 days (Uber NSW get-a-licence page, checked 9 October 2026).

Some states also require you to hold separate police clearances as part of your accreditation — South Australia, for example, lists relevant police clearances alongside a commercial vehicle driver certificate of fitness. If you've lived or worked across borders, allow extra time for clearances from more than one jurisdiction.

Tax: ABN and GST

Uber states that all rideshare drivers on its platform must register for an ABN, and the ATO requires rideshare drivers to be registered for GST because rideshare is a taxable supply (Uber help and ABN setup guide; ATO, checked 9 October 2026).

An ABN is free to apply for through the Australian Business Register, and a sole operator would typically use the "Sole Trader / Individual" structure. GST registration applies even below the usual $75,000 turnover threshold, because the ATO treats rideshare differently from many other small businesses. These are tax obligations, not optional extras, and they sit alongside — not instead of — your state accreditation.

Vehicles

Uber states that vehicles must have a 5-star ANCAP rating or meet Uber's vehicle exemption policy, and that a vehicle inspection confirming roadworthiness is required (Uber, checked 9 October 2026). On top of that, several states impose their own vehicle rules: Queensland requires a Booked Hire Service Licence (BHSL) and a current Certificate of Inspection unless exempt, and Victoria requires registration as a commercial passenger vehicle plus inspection through RedBook Inspect. Check both layers before choosing a car.

Related reading

Start with how to become an Uber driver in Australia, then read the Queensland starter guide. Also useful: referral offers and eligibility, planning your first 100 passenger trips, driving in the major cities, EVs for rideshare and your first month. Browse getting started, vehicles and cities, or return home. See our editorial policy and about page.