Uber dominated Australia's rideshare scene for a long time. It was the only player in the space since 2012, but the global rideshare giant paved the way for others.
In 2018 we saw the launch of not one but three competitors: Bolt (Formerly known as Taxify), Ola and Didi (Melbourne).
If you are currently driving with Uber or are looking to sign up as a driver with one or more of these rideshare companies, we've done the hard work for you and compared the platforms for drivers.
Uber drivers in Australia can expect to take home 75% of their weekly Uber income. Uber says you can expect to earn between $35-$40 per hour and will guarantee you this income when you start out. You can use the calculator below to get an idea of how much you will earn minus expenses.
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Bolt (Formerly known as Taxify)
Bolt takes a commission fee of between 10-15% from the final price per order. It also offers a fairly lucrative bonus program designed to encourage drivers to increase more trips.
Ola
Ola offered new drivers that signed up to its platform on or before 15 February 2018 an introductory rate of 7.5%. Its standard commission rate is 15%.
Didi
Didi charges a fee of 5%, which is the lowest driver fee across the board. DiDi also doesn't charge a booking fee.
Use our calculator to work out how much you'll take home each week
Tip: Set your hourly rate based on where you are driving mostly, time of day, suburbs.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this calculator, the results should be used as an indication only. It doesn't take into account your financial circumstances and they are neither a quote or guarantee of your income as a rideshare driver.
What are the requirements to drive for Uber, Bolt and Ola?
Uber
Bolt
Ola
DiDi
Be over the age of 21
Have access to a vehicle that meets Uber's requirements (eg. less than ten years old for UberX)
Have a valid full driver's licence
Have held your driver's licence for at least 12 months
Be listed as an insured driver for your vehicle
Be able to pass a background check
Be at least 21 years old
Be registered for an ABN and GST
Have a valid full driver's licence
Have held a full licence for 12 months
Be listed as an insured driver for your vehicle
Be able to pass a background check
Be authorised to become a rideshare driver
Have a vehicle that meets the requirements
Have a hire car licence or certificate
Have a third-party property insurance policy
Have a valid driver's licence
Be registered for an ABN
Be over the age of 21
Have a registered ABN
Have access to a vehicle that meets DiDi's requirements (less than ten years old, minimum of 5 seats)
Have a valid full driver's licence for the state you are driving in
Have held your driver's licence for at least 12 months
Be listed as an insured driver for your vehicle
Be able to pass a police background check
Is it easy to be removed as a driver?
Uber has become notorious for its stringent customer rating system which has seen drivers complain about not being allowed to drive because of difficult customers. Here's how easy it is to be kicked off the driving platform:
Uber: Uber will start to notice drivers whose ratings slip below 4.6. While it may not automatically block their accounts, they could be called into an Uber centre to discuss any reasons behind the low rating and how they can improve it.
Bolt: Drivers must retain acceptance rates above 70% and cancellation rates below 30%. If drivers don't maintain this they will get automatically blocked. A driver's account may also be blocked due to low ratings, impersonation, incorrect pricing, irregular or suspicious activities or any form of misconduct. A driver's activity score, which is calculated using the last 100 rides, can also see drivers blocked. If drivers accept and complete every ride successfully the score will be adjusted positively as long as they have not rejected or cancelled more than 20% of the rides. If 20% of the last 100 rides have been rejected then the driver will be blocked.
Ola: Ola has not made this information available as of yet. However, in other markets where Ola is operating, such as India, driver incentives are tied to ratings. Anecdotal evidence also indicates that if a driver's rating falls below 3.5 they are not allowed to access the platform.
Didi. Didi is still relatively new to the scene in Australia, to this information hasn't been released yet.
How does the service compare for riders?
Uber
Bolt
Ola
DiDi
Fare calculation
(Base fare + rate per minute + distance) x surge pricing + booking fee
Base rate + rate per km + rate per minute
Base fare + price per km + price per minute
Base fare + rate per km + rate per minute
Minimum fare
Sydney: $9 + $0.50 booking fee
Melbourne: $7.50 + $0.50 booking fee
Brisbane: $7.50 + $0.50 booking fee
Canberra: $8 + $0.50 booking fee
$9
$7 in Perth
$9 in Sydney
$10 in Melbourne
$6.98 + No booking fee
Surge pricing
Yes, has reached 8x normal fare.
Yes, dynamic pricing is capped at 1.5x normal fare.
Elizabeth Barry is the lead editor for Finder. She has over 10 years' experience writing about a range of topics with a focus on personal finance. You’ll find her writing and commentary in a range of publications and media including Seven News, the ABC, MSN, the Irish Times and Singapore Business Review.
Renting a vehicle to drive with Uber gives you an easy way to get an eligible vehicle as well as have your insurance covered. Find out how it works and how to sign up today.
To drive with Uber, your car must be a 2010 model or later, while with Ola, an eligible car must not be manufactured before 2009 and with Didi, the car should be at least 10 years old or less.
Different Uber categories have different vehicle requirements. Please see below list for more information:
UberX: 10 years old or less (from current year)
UberSELECT: 10 years old or less (from current year)
UberXL: 10 years old or less (from current year)
UberASSIST: 10 years old or less (from current year)
UberBLACK: 6 years old or less (from current year)
UberLUX: 6 years old or less (from current year)
UberSUV: 6 years old or less (from current year)
UberEATS (car): 1990 model or newer
i had an overseas since 2006 and in Australia i am driving since January 2018 on it but last week i got a WA Driving License. Will the uber consider driving with my overseas driving license towards their one year drivers license condition or i have to wait for another one year before being eligible to drive as Uber driver
Uber requires that you have your Australian drivers license for 1 year first before being eligible to drive for Uber. Overseas licenses will not be used towards the 1 year condition of Uber. Hope this helps!
I have been working for ola Around 3 weeks and their pay format looks totally dodgy whom should we contact to raise this in Australia and ola is investaigated
I am sorry for the experience you have encountered with OLA. You may reach out to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to make a consumer complaint.
This amount of $35 – $40 per hour is the average income before Uber takes its 25% cut. You may use our Uber driver income calculator to work out how much you can earn as an UberX driver in Australia. This Uber Fare Estimate & Cost Calculator allows you to input your earnings and your costs.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.
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How old does my car have to be in order to drive for Uber, Ola and DiDi?
Thanks.
Hi Nathan,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
To drive with Uber, your car must be a 2010 model or later, while with Ola, an eligible car must not be manufactured before 2009 and with Didi, the car should be at least 10 years old or less.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
Hi, can I drive a car older than 10 years? I have a Honda Accord 2007.
Hi Syed,
Thank you for reaching out to finder.
Different Uber categories have different vehicle requirements. Please see below list for more information:
UberX: 10 years old or less (from current year)
UberSELECT: 10 years old or less (from current year)
UberXL: 10 years old or less (from current year)
UberASSIST: 10 years old or less (from current year)
UberBLACK: 6 years old or less (from current year)
UberLUX: 6 years old or less (from current year)
UberSUV: 6 years old or less (from current year)
UberEATS (car): 1990 model or newer
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
i had an overseas since 2006 and in Australia i am driving since January 2018 on it but last week i got a WA Driving License. Will the uber consider driving with my overseas driving license towards their one year drivers license condition or i have to wait for another one year before being eligible to drive as Uber driver
Hi Sameer,
Thank you for reaching out to finder.
Uber requires that you have your Australian drivers license for 1 year first before being eligible to drive for Uber. Overseas licenses will not be used towards the 1 year condition of Uber. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
I have been working for ola Around 3 weeks and their pay format looks totally dodgy whom should we contact to raise this in Australia and ola is investaigated
Hi Karan,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
I am sorry for the experience you have encountered with OLA. You may reach out to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to make a consumer complaint.
Cheers,
Reggie
The Uber claim of $35 – $40 per hour is overstated. In Brisbane it is more likely to be $25 – $30 per hour.
Hi Paul,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
This amount of $35 – $40 per hour is the average income before Uber takes its 25% cut. You may use our Uber driver income calculator to work out how much you can earn as an UberX driver in Australia. This Uber Fare Estimate & Cost Calculator allows you to input your earnings and your costs.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni