Taxi Driver

A taxi driver operates a licensed passenger vehicle in Australian urban and regional areas, transporting individual customers or small groups from point to point on demand. They navigate routes using local knowledge and navigation technology, manage fare collection and payment systems, and maintain compliance with transport regulations and licensing requirements. The role requires constant attention to road safety, customer service, and vehicle maintenance standards.

Operate a licensed taxi vehicle safely and defensively in accordance with Australian Road Rules and state-based traffic legislation. Navigate routes using GPS technology, street knowledge, and traffic conditions to reach destinations efficiently. Accept passenger bookings via radio dispatch, mobile application, or street hailing whilst adhering to taxi rank and ranking protocols. Collect fares using meters, cash handling systems, or electronic payment terminals and issue receipts where required. Verify passenger identity and destination before commencing journey and confirm pickup and drop-off locations. Maintain awareness of passenger safety and security, including locking doors, taking emergency precautions, and following Taxi Council guidelines on problem passenger behaviour. Conduct daily vehicle safety inspections including lights, brakes, tyres, and windscreens in line with roadworthiness standards. Record trip details including distances, times, fares, and passenger counts in logbooks or digital platforms for compliance and tax purposes.

The standard entry pathway requires a Certificate II or III (ABS skill level 4). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

Your income depends directly on passenger demand and fuel costs, both outside your control. Rideshare apps have cut into steady work in most cities, and you'll spend money on vehicle maintenance, registration, and insurance before you see a profit. Many drivers work 50+ hour weeks just to match a modest salary.

Regional centres have smaller taxi fleets. Most work is urban. Remote work is not possible for this role. Taxi services operate wherever there are enough people to support them.

• Active Listeningcore
• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracycore
• Complaint Handlingcore
• Conflict De-escalationcore
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivitycore
• Customer Needs Assessmentcore
• Empathy and Emotional Intelligencecore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Clean vehicle interiors
• Delivery Scheduling
• Digital Literacy
• Dispatch Documentation
• Incident Reporting
• Invoicing and Billing Administration
• Multitasking
• Risk Identification

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

What Taxi Driver workers move into, from ten years of tax records.

Last updated: 30 October 2026