Are you a passenger transport driver? Visit Transporting people with disability for more information about working with passengers with disability and your responsibilities under the Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme (PTSS).
What are wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs)?
Wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) are on-demand passenger transport vehicles that are used to transport people with disability, and any mobility aids they may use (including wheelchairs).
WAVs require specific vehicle modifications to safely transport passengers with disability – this may include wheelchair ramps, hoists and other tiedown or restraint equipment. Read the WAV standards and modifications section below to find out the technical requirements.
WAVs are not designed to carry or load/unload passengers while they are seated on a mobility scooter (gopher), and it is unsafe to do so. Read more about working with mobility aids and devices.
WAVs can carry all types of taxi passengers but are obliged by law to give priority to passengers in wheelchairs.
Please note: people who use wheelchairs may still be able to access taxi services in conventional vehicles, depending on their accessibility needs.
Wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) equipment and modifications
WAV standards
WAVs must comply with the below Australian Standards.
- AS 3856.1:2021, Hoists and ramps for people with disabilities — Vehicle mounted, Part 1: Product requirements;
- AS 3856.2:2021, Hoists and ramps for people with disabilities — Vehicle fitted, Part 2: Fitting requirements; and
- AS/NZS 10542.1:2015, Technical systems and aids for people with disability – Wheelchair tiedown and occupant-restraint systems, Part 1: Requirements and test methods for all systems.
These Australian Standards can be viewed in-person by making an appointment request with On-demand Transport: ondemandtransport@transport.wa.gov.au.
WAVs must also comply with the following elements of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002:
- the provisions of Part 9 that apply to taxis; and
- Section 12.5.
A digital copy of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 can be found on the Australian Government Federal Register of Legislation.
Installation of hoists, ramps, tiedowns and occupant-restraint systems are classified as complex vehicle modifications. Complex modifications require approval from the Department of Transport – find out more on the PTV equipment and modification requirements page.
Camera surveillance units for WAVs
As WAVs must be authorised as an on-demand rank or hail passenger transport vehicle (taxi), they must have a camera surveillance unit (CSU) installed that meets current standards. Due to the size and layout of WAV taxis, one camera may not be sufficient to capture all required areas of the vehicle.
Work with your camera installer to ensure that the device you choose for your WAV has sufficient cameras to capture footage of all passengers from the torso up.
For more information about CSUs, visit Camera surveillance units.
Imported wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs)
The Department of Transport (DoT) is aware of several models of vehicle that can be imported to Western Australia, intended to be used as WAV taxis.
Imported WAV taxis must meet the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (see the Wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) modifications section above for more information).
Many models of imported WAV do not meet these standards for certain reasons – for example, the internal dimensions and door sizes are too small.
Vehicles that don’t meet these standards cannot be used to provide WAV taxi services in Western Australia.
If you are trying to establish if a vehicle has been imported, you may be able to tell from the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Some vehicles imported into Australia will have a “surrogate VIN”, which begins with “6ZZ”. You can check your vehicle’s registration certificate or the owner’s manual to find the VIN. For more information about surrogate VINs, visit the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts website.
If you are considering purchasing an imported WAV, please email On-demand Transport at ondemandtransport@transport.wa.gov.au to discuss your options.
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Modification Grant
The Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Modification Grant provides grants of up to $20,000 to assist with the cost of purchasing and installing wheelchair hoist and restraint systems in wheelchair accessible on-demand rank or hail (taxi) vehicles.
Read more about the WAV Modification Grant.
Regional Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Taxi Service Grant Scheme
To encourage and support the provision of wheelchair accessible taxi services in regional Western Australia, the Department of Transport (DoT) administers the Regional Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Taxi Service Grant. This grant aims to ensure that regional wheelchair accessible vehicle taxi services can be accessed where sufficient demand exists.
The Regional WAV Taxi Service Grant offers funding support to regional operators to:
- establish a WAV taxi service where none exist (up to $80,000); or
- replace a WAV or purchase an additional vehicle where demand cannot be met by an existing service (up to $60,000); or
- modify a suitable vehicle to transport passengers who must remain seated in a wheelchair where an established WAV taxi service already exists (up to $20,000).
For more information visit the Regional WAV Taxi Service Grant Scheme page.