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Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Modification Grant

The Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Modification Grant provides grants of up to $20,000 to contribute to the cost of purchasing and installing wheelchair hoist and restraint systems, to modify on-demand rank or hail (taxi) WAVs.

About the WAV Modification Grant

The WAV Modification Grant is available to taxi operators in the Perth metropolitan area. If you are operating in regional WA, you may be eligible for the Regional WAV Taxi Service Grant.

Applications open Friday 1 August 2025 and close 5.00pm, Friday 12 September 2025.

This will be the only application round for the 2025/26 financial year.

Eligibility

As an applicant, you must meet the below eligibility requirements.

  • The grant can only be used for vehicles that have or will hold a passenger transport vehicle (PTV) authorisation in the rank or hail category.
  • If you have received a WAV Modification Grant in the last three years, you are not eligible to apply for another grant.
  • You must be able to demonstrate ownership, or consent from the owner, of the vehicle that is to be modified.
  • You must have obtained a written quote from a vehicle re-fitter for the modifications to be made to the vehicle.
  • If you operate within the Perth Metropolitan Area, you must provide proof of affiliation with the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure’s (DTMI's) contracted WAV-dedicated taxi booking service (currently Black & White Cabs).

How to apply

Applications for the WAV Modification Grant will open on Friday 1 August 2025 and close 5.00pm, Friday 12 September 2025.

All applications and supporting documentation must be submitted via a Transport WA Grants account.

1. Purchase vehicle

Before applying for the WAV Modification Grant, you must purchase a new vehicle that complies with the WAV standards, as outlined in the Transport (Road Passenger Services) Regulations 2020. Learn more about WAV standards on the Wheelchair accessible vehicles page.

You must be able to provide proof of purchase or delivery date to submit an application.

Note: purchasing a vehicle will not guarantee that you receive a grant. You must consider any financial implications before purchasing the vehicle.

Imported WAVs

DTMI is aware of several models of vehicle that can be an imported WAV, intended to be used as WAV taxis. Many models of imported WAV do not meet the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 and cannot be used to provide WAV taxi services in WA.

Visit the Wheelchair accessible vehicles page for more information about imported WAVs.

2. Select a vehicle re-fitter and obtain a quote

Once you have confirmed your purchase of a new vehicle that complies with the WAV standards, you will be required to obtain a written quote from your chosen vehicle re-fitter, for the purchase and installation of a wheelchair hoist and restraint systems. 

It is important that you obtain a quote before submitting a grant application, as all submissions require a copy of the quote.

3. Submit an online application

Visit Transport WA Grants to register for a Transport WA Grants account, and complete an application for the WAV Modification Grant.

The application will ask for:

  • your personal details;
  • the VIN and registration details of your vehicle;
  • details of your preferred vehicle re-fitter and a written quote from them; 
  • evidence of your affiliation with the metropolitan WAV-dedicated taxi booking service (currently Black & White Cabs); and
  • submission of a business plan, scoping document or similar written evidence demonstrating the ongoing viability of the business.

You are encouraged to discuss your proposal with the On-demand Transport team, before you submit an application – email odtgrants@transport.wa.gov.au or call us on 13 11 56.

Assessment process

When submissions close, all applications will be assessed for their eligibility. 

The WAV Modification Grants Committee will evaluate applications and make recommendations for approval to the Minister for Transport. 

What to do when your application is approved

Once DTMI has approved your application, follow the below steps.

1. Get your vehicle modified and inspected

DTMI will advise your chosen vehicle re-fitter that your application has been approved. Work with your re-fitter to complete the modifications. 

Once the vehicle re-fitter has completed the modifications, your vehicle must be inspected at an Authorised Inspection Station (AIS) or Vehicle Examination Centre. DTMI will be informed if your vehicle passes the inspection.

2. Obtain a PTV authorisation

When your vehicle’s modifications are complete and it has passed inspection, you can apply for a PTV authorisation in the on-demand rank or hail (OD-RH) category, if not already done so, via DoTDirect.

During the PTV authorisation application process, you must nominate the vehicle as a WAV. This will enable you to make subsidy and co-payment claims for Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) journeys.



Once the PTV authorisation application process is complete, a plate collection letter will be generated (if the vehicle does not already have taxi plates), allowing you to collect your taxi plates.

Visit Apply for a PTV authorisation: OD-RH (taxi) for more information.

3. Payment to the vehicle re-fitter


Once the above steps are completed, the vehicle re-fitter will invoice DTMI, and DTMI will pay the grant funds (up to $20,000), directly to the re-fitter. 

The re-fitter will then invoice you for the cost of modifications, minus the grant amount. You will be required to pay this invoiced amount directly to the vehicle re-fitter

Grant conditions

The WAV Modification Grant is only payable for:

  • New WAV equipment. Second-hand equipment and partial installations are ineligible for this grant.
  • A vehicle intended to operate as a WAV, that meets all the criteria to be authorised as an on-demand rank or hail PTV.
  • Hoists, restraints, WAV equipment and modifications, which comply with the WAV requirements prescribed in Regulation 18 of the Transport (Road Passenger Services) Regulations 2020.

The Grant will only be paid where the eligible applicant provides:

  • a declaration undertaking to apply for or having obtained, an on-demand rank or hail PTV authorisation for the modified vehicle;
  • a signed Grant Agreement;
  • certification from the vehicle re-fitter that the vehicle meets the standards prescribed in the Transport (Road Passenger Services) Regulations 2020; and
  • evidence of affiliation with DTMI’s WAV-dedicated taxi booking service (currently Black & White Cabs).