How to become an Uber driver in Australia?

Are you looking to earn a few extra bucks?

Well, becoming an Uber driver might just be the perfect side hustle for you!
All you need to do is drive people around while enjoying free music and just having a good time in general- kind of like going on a long drive every day. And if you enjoy driving, it can actually be a pretty good pastime. Not to mention, it’s not too strenuous and doesn’t require too much effort or labour. The flexibility is also unreal. You work when you want to work, there are no compulsions. You are technically self-employed, and so, you’re your own boss. You just need to get your clients from point A to B-and that’s it!

Hence, it’s a good idea to look into the requirements and rewards if you are interested in how to become an Uber driver. And we’ve just gone and done all the research for you, so you can just relax and read on!

How much can I earn?

When considering how to become an Uber driver, your first priority is probably the salary- and rightly so. But the great thing about Uber drivers is that the service is kind of like a gig service and you’ll get paid as per the effort you put in. You are paid on the basis of km driven per ride, but you get to keep only around 75% of your earnings while the rest goes to Uber as commission. Also, of course, you must really be in the right place at the right time in order to get more rides driving an Uber. For instance, airport pickups and central CBDs are great places and peak hours are usually Friday and Saturday nights. Nevertheless, most Uber drivers in Australia make around $33.15 an hour before cutting out the expenses incurred.

Fortunately, though, Uber drivers in Australia are eligible for certain tax deductions, including car payments (lease, loan interest, depreciation), fuel expenses, insurance or registration costs for the vehicle, car wash or cleaning costs, mobile phone and plan expenses, parking and tolls paid, as well as the fee paid to Uber. However, only the business-use part of these costs are considered, and so, you need to keep a proper logbook or record to make a claim. On the other hand, Uber drivers cannot claim parking or speeding fines, private driver’s license fees, or costs for personal snacks or meals, etc. for obvious reasons.

Do I need my own car to be an Uber driver?

If you want to know how to become an Uber driver, the most important thing is, of course, having a car to drive. But does it have to be your own car? Not really. You just need a car- it doesn’t have to be your own. In fact, you can even get a car for rent from companies like Splend just to drive with Uber. So much so, your Uber-approved car will come with a minimum 6-week contract that entails a personal account manager, advanced driver training, CTP insurance, loss and accident cover, servicing, repair, maintenance, 24/7 roadside assistance, member support centre access, community event, and even a car replacement after an accident. Though, of course, replacement is subject to availability.

Thus, you can successfully drive an Uber as a side hustle without having to worry too much about anything. It’s all sorted. You simply need to show up and drive.

Requirements to be an Uber driver in Australia

The prospects of being an Uber driver are pretty bright, especially in Australia but there are certain requirements as well. So, if you want to know how to become an Uber driver, you should meet all the requirements. Firstly, you should be at least 21 years of age. You should also have access to a vehicle that meets Uber’s vehicle requirements, and of course, a full, valid Australian driver’s license. Moreover, you should have a full license for a minimum of 12 months in any Australian state. Plus, your car should also be fully insured. And if you’re not a permanent Australian resident, you must have a valid visa and work permit.

Requirements of the vehicle

To ensure that their customers always get the best experience, Uber has certain requirements for the vehicle to be registered. Therefore, if you want to know how to become an Uber driver, you must have access to a vehicle that meets all these requirements. Sure, it doesn’t have to be your own, but it still needs to meet the criteria. Nevertheless, the criteria are not too strict and your car probably already meets most of the criteria. You can check these requirements on Uber’s official website too.

The minimum requirements for an Uber vehicle, specifically in Sydney, include:
• Must be fully-functional
• ANCAP 5-star rated
• Should not be older than the maximum age for the Uber vehicle option chosen
• Should be a 4-door car or passenger van
• Should not have more than 8 seats including the driver’s seat
• Must pass a pink slip inspection
• Must be registered and CTP-insured in the New South Wales
• Should be free from any cosmetic damage (such as scratches or damages caused by hailstorm)
• Must be free from commercial branding (such as commercial advertisements posted on the surface or graphics greater than 20 by 20 cm)

However, the requirements can vary depending on the exact type of the vehicle, and of course, the state. Additionally, your car must be covered at least with third party insurance. And to drive with UberX, you should also be listed on the car’s property damage insurance policy, even if you don’t own the car or aren’t the main policyholder. You can read more about how to get insurance for Uber here.

Steps to becoming an Uber driver

Now that you’re familiar with the basics, let’s get into how to become an Uber driver, step by step.

#1 Check the eligibility criteria

First of all, you should check the eligibility criteria and vehicle requirements, as we’ve already mentioned in this article. You can only become an Uber driver if you meet the criteria. Also, don’t worry if you don’t have a car, you can rent one just for Uber!

#2 Upload your documents on the website

Next, you will need to submit your documents to the Uber website after creating your account. Since this is all online, it shouldn’t take too long. You will need to upload your driver’s license, proof of identification, vehicle insurance, and a valid profile picture.

#3 Get authorised for ridesharing

To become an authorised uber driver, you will also have to upload your driving record and apply for a passenger transport license code to be added to your driver’s license.

#4 Get your vehicle inspected

This is super important because it helps Uber ensure the best experience for their clients. Your vehicle will have to undergo a thorough inspection before it can be registered with Uber. This is mandatory regardless of how old your vehicle is. It must meet the criteria in order for you to become an Uber driver.

#5 Get the App

Once you’re finally an Uber driver, you should actually get the app to be able to use the service. When you’re ready to work, you can simply tap ‘Go’ to see the trip details and accept or reject it. Google maps will also be available to guide you throughout the trip from your location to the destination, so you won’t have to worry about getting lost.

Conclusion

If you’ve wanted to know how to become an Uber driver, then this article pretty much sums it up. The most important thing is that you meet the eligibility criteria as well as the vehicle requirements. The vehicle doesn’t have to be your own, though, and you can actually just rent one specifically for this purpose. It would even help keep a record of ‘business use’ which you can claim in tax reductions. Companies like Splend provide cars for both rent and sale specifically for Uber, which means the vehicles will meet all the requirements. Additionally, they usually provide extra assistance in the form of training, insurance, loss and accident coverage, servicing, repair and maintenance. So, it’s really all the benefits with none of the hassle!
As for wages, you won’t become rich driving people around, but it can be a great side hustle. So, if you’re a student, becoming an Uber driver can actually help you make a decent living. It can help you meet your expenses and thus, live a relatively comfortable life in Australia. Australian Uber drivers get paid around 33 dollars per hour, as per the km travelled while paying close to 25% to Uber. And of course, it does cost to repair and maintain your car as well but most of that is redeemable as tax reductions. Thus, overall, we would say it’s a worthwhile job and considering the flexibility, you can even learn to enjoy being an Uber driver.

So, once you’ve decided to become an Uber driver, and looked through how to become an Uber driver, you simply need to sign up on the website and complete your registration details. Upload your documents, get your vehicle inspected, and apply for ridesharing- and you’re good to go!