Applications for the 2026-27 Regional WAV Taxi Service Grant are open from 8.00am, Thursday 27 August and close 5.00pm, Thursday 1 October 2026. Visit Transport WA Grants to apply.
About the Regional WAV Taxi Service Grant
The Regional Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Taxi Service Grant (the grant) is designed to support eligible on-demand rank or hail (taxi) passenger transport vehicle operators in regional Western Australia to:
- establish a new WAV taxi service in a regional area, or
- ensure continuation of current services in areas where a WAV taxi service is being provided, but is absent, insufficient or at risk of the service being discontinued.
The grant is used to directly offset the costs of setting up a WAV taxi service in a regional area, including:
- purchasing a suitable vehicle (new or used)
- purchase and installation of wheelchair modifications and taxi equipment
- passenger transport authorisations
- inspections, and
- acquiring and maintaining on-demand transport authorisations.
The grant also supports other Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) accessible transport initiatives, including the Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme (PTSS).
If you’re operating in the Perth metropolitan area, you may be eligible for the WAV Modification Grant.
Grant objectives
There are regional towns in WA that have very limited or no WAV services available. The grant is specifically designed to target those regional towns to address accessibility gaps with these services.
The grant aims to:
- Establish WAV taxi services in areas of regional WA, where an accessible taxi service is not currently available.
- Support existing WAV taxi services in regional WA, to meet demand and ensure continuity of service.
- Ensure eligible people who use wheelchairs in regional WA have access to PTSS, via the provision of WAV taxis.
Grant guidelines
The Regional Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Taxi Service Grant guidelines 2026-27 outline requirements for applicants and successful recipients (grantees).
This page outlines key information from these guidelines. For more information, read the guidelines document.
Funding
The grant provides funding to cover the costs involved in establishing a new regional WAV service or expanding an existing regional WAV service.
The grant offers up to $100,000 to support the establishment of a WAV service in a regional area.
Note: Grant offerings may not cover the full costs of establishing or expanding a WAV service, including purchase of a suitable vehicle and installation of equipment. Grant funding will only be paid to grantees after the WAV taxi service is operational and the final acquittal report has been approved by DTMI.
Grantees will be required to maintain the WAV taxi service and continue to provide reports to DTMI for a minimum of 3 years after being awarded the grant.
Successful grantees will need to hold the following passenger transport authorisations:
- passenger transport vehicle (PTV)
- passenger transport driver (PTD), and
- on-demand booking service (ODBS) or an affiliation with an authorised ODBS.
Funding delivery
The method of funding delivery is dependent on the way the WAV is sourced. Payments will only be made to grantees after the successful acquittal of the grant, as outlined in Grantee responsibilities and obligations.
See the Regional Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Taxi Service Grant guidelines 2026-27 for more information, including details about funding delivery.
Sourcing a suitable vehicle
When sourcing a suitable vehicle, the Grantee may either:
- obtain a fitted-out WAV up to five years from the date of manufacture, that complies with all applicable legislation and standards;
- purchase a vehicle up to five years of age from the date of manufacture, and modify it in line with the applicable legislation and standards; or
- install WAV equipment that meets the applicable legislation and standards in a previously purchased vehicle up to five years from the date of manufacture.
Vehicle equipment requirements
In line with Regulation 18 of the Transport (Road Passenger Services) Regulations 2020, the grantee must provide evidence that the below Australian Standards have been met:
- 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.
WAV taxis 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.
The Grantee must provide evidence that these standards have been met before the funding can be paid.
For more information about WAV equipment and requirements, visit Wheelchair accessible vehicles, or read the Regional Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Taxi Service Grant guidelines 2026-27.
More information
If you have any questions about the grant, email odtgrants@transport.wa.gov.au.
Successful grant recipients
2025-26 grant recipients
| Location | Operator |
|---|---|
|
Exmouth |
Exmouth Bus Charter |
2024-25 grant recipients
| Location | Operator |
|---|---|
|
Dunsborough and Vasse |
South West Taxis |
|
Kalgoorlie |
Abdullahi Shuke (18 Cabs) |
|
Geraldton |
Stanley Yokwe (Associated Taxis) |
|
Port Hedland |
Dreamtime Taxis |
2023-24 grant recipients
| Location | Operator |
|---|---|
|
Albany |
Albany Wheelchair Taxis |
|
Kimberley |
Derby Taxi Service |
|
Margaret River |
South West Taxis |
2022-23 grant recipients
| Location | Operator |
|---|---|
|
Albany |
Albany Wheelchair Taxis |
|
Collie |
Mario's Taxis |
|
Geraldton |
Associated Taxis |
|
Kalgoorlie |
Twin City Cabs |
|
Northam |
Avon Taxis |
Media statements:
- Cook Government grants boost accessible on-demand transport (25 February 2026)
- New round of regional wheelchair accessible taxi grants opens (4 September 2025)
- New round of grants to boost accessible on-demand transport (19 September 2024)
- Significant boost for wheelchair accessible taxis in regional WA (28 July 2023)
- Boost for wheelchair accessible taxi services around the State (28 April 2022)