Western Australia's Taxi User Subsidy Scheme offers real financial relief for people with severe mobility restrictions who can't board a conventional bus or train. It's a practical, card-based system that reduces the cost of taxi travel — useful whether you live in WA or are planning an extended visit. The details change periodically, so the scheme rewards those who take a few minutes to confirm what's current before they need it.
What Is WA's Taxi User Subsidy Scheme?
The Taxi User Subsidy Scheme — known simply as TUSS — is a Western Australian government programme designed to make taxi travel genuinely affordable for people whose mobility prevents them from using conventional public transport. Think buses, trains, ferries: if a person cannot access these services due to a severe and permanent disability or mobility restriction, TUSS steps in to reduce what they pay for a taxi instead.
The scheme works through an electronic card that registered members present to participating taxi operators. A set percentage of the fare is subsidised, up to a capped amount per trip. The card system replaced older paper vouchers and is more straightforward to use — swipe, travel, pay the reduced portion. The operator claims the subsidy directly from the scheme.
It's worth being clear about what TUSS is not: it's not a free taxi service, and it doesn't cover the full fare. It's a partial subsidy that meaningfully reduces the cost of necessary travel. For someone who depends on taxis as their primary transport, that reduction adds up to real savings over weeks and months.
Who Is Eligible — and How Is That Determined?
Eligibility is based on a medical assessment, not age alone. The core requirement is a severe mobility restriction that prevents the use of conventional public transport — and that restriction must be certified by a registered medical practitioner. Conditions that commonly support eligibility include significant ambulatory limitations, severe neurological conditions, and other permanent disabilities that make boarding a bus or train physically impossible or medically unsafe.
Age itself doesn't qualify you. A 70-year-old who can walk to a bus stop and board safely would not meet the threshold. A 55-year-old who cannot, would. The scheme is needs-based, which is the right approach — and it means the application process asks for honest medical detail, not simply a statutory declaration of difficulty.
For couples travelling together where one partner holds TUSS eligibility, it's worth confirming with the WA Department of Transport whether a companion travelling in the same taxi is covered under the same fare subsidy. Rules on this have varied over time and are worth clarifying before you rely on an assumption.
How Does the Application Process Work?
Applications are made through the WA Department of Transport. The process requires a completed application form and a medical certificate signed by your treating doctor or specialist. The medical certificate needs to confirm the nature of the mobility restriction and why it prevents conventional public transport use — vague language tends to slow things down, so it helps to discuss the specific requirements with your GP before the appointment.
Once approved, the department issues an electronic TUSS card. Processing times can vary, so applying well ahead of when you'll need the card — particularly if you're planning a longer visit to WA from interstate — is sensible. There's no fee to apply.
Interstate visitors should note an important reality: TUSS is a WA state scheme. If you hold a similar subsidy card in Victoria, New South Wales or another state, that card almost certainly won't be accepted by WA taxi operators. You would need to apply for TUSS specifically. Given processing times, this is something to organise weeks before travel, not on arrival in Perth.
What Does the Subsidy Actually Cover?
The scheme subsidises a percentage of each taxi fare, up to a set cap per trip. As of the time of writing, the indicative subsidy has historically covered around 50 per cent of the metered fare up to a per-trip cap — but these figures change with government reviews, and quoting a specific number here would do you a disservice. The WA Department of Transport publishes current rates on its website, and a quick phone call to the department before your first trip is always worthwhile.
The subsidy applies to metered fares with participating taxi operators. Not every taxi company or rideshare service participates — this is an important practical point. Confirm that your chosen operator accepts TUSS cards before you book, particularly in regional WA where operator options may be limited. In Perth, major operators including 13CABS and Black & White Cabs have historically participated, but confirm current participation directly.
Tolls, booking fees and extras may or may not be included in the subsidised portion — again, the current scheme rules from the department are the definitive source. Keeping a record of your trips and what you've paid is good practice, both for personal budgeting and in case of any queries with the scheme.
Using TUSS Across Western Australia — Perth and Beyond
In Perth, the scheme is straightforward to use. The city has a reasonable taxi network, and most major operators participate. For someone based in suburbs where bus routes are infrequent or inaccessible, TUSS can make the difference between independence and reliance on others for every appointment, outing or errand.
Regional WA is a different story. Taxi availability in country towns varies enormously — some towns have no taxis at all, and others have limited hours. TUSS is only useful where participating taxis operate. If you're planning to travel through the Kimberley, the Wheatbelt or the South West, research local transport options before assuming a TUSS card will solve every getting-around problem. The WA Department of Transport can advise on regional coverage.
For grey nomads or couples doing an extended WA road trip — one partner driving, the other with mobility restrictions — TUSS might be most relevant for urban stops: Perth, Broome, Albany, Geraldton. Knowing the card is in your wallet for those stretches is reassuring, even if the open road between them doesn't require it.
Practical Tips for Travelling Couples and Visitors
For a couple visiting WA from Victoria or another state, the planning sequence matters. If one partner has a mobility restriction that would qualify for TUSS, start the application process at least four to six weeks before the trip. Download the application form from the WA Department of Transport website, book a GP appointment to complete the medical certificate, and submit everything together. Follow up if you haven't heard within two weeks.
Once the card arrives, test it on a short local trip before relying on it for something important — an airport transfer, a medical appointment, a day out to the Swan Valley. That first use confirms the card is active and that the operator's terminal is reading it correctly. Small practical checks like this prevent frustration on days that matter.
Travel insurance is a separate but related consideration. If mobility restrictions are a factor in your travel, ensure your policy covers pre-existing conditions honestly declared. The cost of taxi travel in WA without any subsidy can be significant over a long stay — TUSS helps, but it's one layer of a sensible travel plan, not the whole picture.
Where to Get Current Information and Support
The WA Department of Transport is the single authoritative source for TUSS. Its website carries the application forms, current subsidy rates, the list of participating operators and contact details for the scheme team. Phone enquiries are welcomed — the team can clarify eligibility questions, interstate visitor situations and regional coverage in a way that a website page sometimes can't.
Advocacy organisations including Disability Connect WA and similar community groups can assist with navigating the application if the process feels complicated. A GP or specialist who knows your medical history is your best ally for the medical certificate component — they can describe your condition in the specific terms the scheme requires.
Keep the department's contact details saved on your phone alongside your TUSS card. If a taxi operator's terminal has trouble reading the card, or if you have a question mid-trip about what's covered, being able to reach the scheme team quickly is genuinely useful. Small preparation, significant peace of mind.
Key takeaways
- TUSS subsidises a percentage of taxi fares in WA for people with severe mobility restrictions who cannot use conventional public transport — confirm current rates with the WA Department of Transport.
- The scheme uses an electronic card with participating taxi operators; not all operators or rideshare services accept it.
- A medical certificate from a registered doctor is required to apply — eligibility is needs-based, not age-based.
- Interstate visitors with mobility restrictions need to apply for TUSS specifically; cards from other states are not accepted by WA operators.
- Regional WA has limited taxi coverage, so confirm participating operators in country towns before relying on TUSS outside Perth.
- Apply at least four to six weeks before a planned visit to WA to allow processing time for the card.
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Indicative prices only — always confirm with the operator before booking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Taxi User Subsidy Scheme in Western Australia?
The Taxi User Subsidy Scheme (TUSS) is a WA government programme that subsidises a percentage of taxi fares for people with severe mobility restrictions who are unable to use conventional public transport such as buses and trains. It operates via an electronic card used with participating taxi operators. Current subsidy rates and caps are set by the WA Department of Transport and change periodically — confirm the latest details before applying.
How do I apply for TUSS in Western Australia?
Applications are made through the WA Department of Transport. You'll need a completed application form and a medical certificate from a registered doctor confirming your mobility restriction and why it prevents you from using conventional public transport. There is no application fee. Allow several weeks for processing, particularly if you're applying ahead of a planned visit to WA from interstate.
Can I use my interstate taxi subsidy card in Western Australia?
No. TUSS is a WA-specific scheme, and subsidy cards issued by other states — including Victoria's Multi Purpose Taxi Program — are not accepted by WA taxi operators. If you have a qualifying mobility restriction and are visiting WA, you'll need to apply for a TUSS card directly through the WA Department of Transport before your trip.
Does TUSS cover companions travelling in the same taxi?
The rules around companion travel have varied over time. Contact the WA Department of Transport directly to confirm whether a travel companion sharing a taxi with an eligible TUSS cardholder is covered under the same subsidised fare. Do not rely on assumptions — this is one detail worth clarifying before you travel.
Does TUSS work in regional Western Australia?
TUSS applies wherever participating taxi operators are available, but taxi coverage in regional WA is patchy. Some country towns have no taxis at all, or very limited operating hours. If you're travelling through regional areas, contact the WA Department of Transport to find out which operators in your destination participate in the scheme before you rely on TUSS for transport away from Perth.
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