Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Grant Scheme
The Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Grant Scheme provided assistance of up to $55,000, with a 50 per cent co-contribution from applicants to offset the cost of purchasing and modifying a new wheelchair accessible taxi.
The Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Grant Scheme is closed to new applications as scheme funds have been fully allocated.
About the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Grant Scheme
The Queensland Government’s $21 million Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) Grant Scheme was announced in 2019 to support the taxi industry in replacing aging and written off vehicles. The entire funding of the scheme has now been committed to approved applications.
Since its introduction in 2019, 460 eligible applications for a new wheelchair accessible vehicle have been approved under the scheme. This has supported the continued availability of wheelchair accessible taxi services in a modern fleet of taxis throughout Queensland. To date, 370 new vehicles are operational, meaning more than 57% of the state’s accessible taxi fleet have been replaced under the program, enabling continued services for the most vulnerable in our community into the future.
As of 28 June 2024, the maximum amount of assistance offered under the Scheme for the cost of purchasing and modifying a new wheelchair accessible taxi was increased from $45,000 to $55,000.
Full details of eligibility requirements can be found in the Scheme guidelines.
As funding has been fully committed, the scheme is closed to new applications. Any changes to this status will be updated here and communicated to industry.
QRIDA administers the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Grant Scheme on behalf of the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Related information
Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Grant Scheme guidelines (PDF, 300KB)Frequently asked questions
Yes. You are required to start providing taxi services using your new wheelchair accessible taxi within three months after receiving a grant under the scheme. (A longer period may be approved by QRIDA if required).
If you do not use the new wheelchair accessible taxi to provide a taxi service for a period of at least three years, you will be required to repay assistance received on a pro-rata basis. You must provide the taxi service under a taxi service licence with a wheelchair accessible taxi condition that you either own or lease.
For vehicles approved under Class 4, if you do not use the new wheelchair accessible taxi under the current licence for a period of at least three years, you will be required to repay assistance received on a pro-rata basis.
NB Grant funding has been fully exhausted in May 2025.
Any applications previously submitted may be considered in order of submission should any previously submitted applications be cancelled up to 30 June 2025. The Program Owner (Transport and Main Roads) is aware of supply issues that have impacted the delivery of vehicles and wishes to work with applicants through this process. Further details will be advised shortly.
If your application is successful, you may choose for QRIDA to pay the invoice directly to the service providers, up to the approved amount, or for QRIDA to reimburse funds to your nominated bank account if you have already paid invoices.
NB Grant funding has been fully exhausted in May 2025.
Any applications previously submitted may be considered in order of submission should any previously submitted applications be cancelled up to 30 June 2025. The Program Owner (Transport and Main Roads) is aware of supply issues that have impacted the delivery of vehicles and wishes to work with applicants through this process. Further details will be advised shortly.
No. To be eligible for assistance, all wheelchair-accessibility devices must be purchased new. Any reused equipment will not be eligible.
NB Grant funding has been fully exhausted in May 2025.
Assistance amounts provided under the scheme will be calculated on the invoice amount excluding GST.
(You may be eligible to claim this GST component as part of your normal Business Activity Statement (BAS) submissions).
NB Grant funding has been fully exhausted in May 2025.
Questions concerning your personal taxation circumstances should be directed to your taxation advisor or the Australian Taxation Office on 13 72 86.
QRIDA is committed to ensuring due administrative processes are undertaken with the decisioning of applications for government assistance.
When making decisions on applications, as well as the internal review of a decision, QRIDA follows the QRIDA Decision-Making Policy and Procedure.
You can view this Policy and Procedure on the Reviewing a decision page.
NB Grant funding has been fully exhausted in May 2025.
Any applications previously submitted may be considered in order of submission should any previously submitted applications be cancelled up to 30 June 2025. The Program Owner (Transport and Main Roads) is aware of supply issues that have impacted the delivery of vehicles and wishes to work with applicants through this process. Further details will be advised shortly.
Any applications previously submitted may be considered in order of submission should any previously submitted applications be cancelled. There is no guarantee that any submitted applications will progress. At 30 June 2025, when the scheme formally closes, you will be notified if your application has been able to secure funding due to cancellations, and if not, it will be declined. The Program Owner (Transport and Main Roads) is aware of supply issues that have impacted the delivery of vehicles and wishes to work with applicants through this process. Further details will be advised shortly.
