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How much can you really make as an Uber driver?

Find out if signing up as an UberX driver is worth it.

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By

Elizabeth Barry

&

Bria Horne

Updated

Fact checked

How much you can make as an Uber driver is a contentious issue. Try to find an answer and you'll get a few estimated average incomes. You'll also find some debate over how much drivers actually earn. This is largely due to all the other costs that need to be factored in when you become an Uber partner driver.

The guide below can help you find out how much you can expect to make as an Uber driver in Australia before expenses, what expenses you need to deduct and what your take-home pay will be each month. You can also use the calculator on this page to estimate your UberX yearly income.

Average Uber driver earnings in Australia by city

Based on working 38 hours per week

How much can I make as an Uber driver?

Take home earnings from Uber fluctuate massively, depending on the time of day you work and where you're driving.

In Australia and the US, Uber drivers keep just less than 75% of their weekly fare total. According to our figures, drivers in Australia have an average income of $33.15 per hour before Uber takes its 27.5% cut. Keep in mind this is before you take into account any additional expenses you incur as a driver. If you want to start earning money by driving for Uber, click below to find out how you can get started today.

If you drive for Uber in Australia, we'd be interested in learning how much you earn per hour. Extra data points will help make our table above more accurate.

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Find out how to sign up as an Uber driver

Full length of smiling young female student opening car door on roadside

What factors affect how much you can make as an Uber driver?

Wondering how much you could earn from Uber driving? Take these factors into account.

Uber city

Generally speaking, the busier the area you're driving in, the more money you'll make. However, it's also more profitable if you do longer journeys. If your rides are mostly short, you'll spend more time waiting on trips and less time making money.

Top tip – airports are where Uber drivers can boost their profits and make most of their money. If you Uber near a busy airport and are looking to get your day off to a good start, head there first. There are lots of flight tracker apps that let you track incoming passengers, so you know exactly when passenger demand is high.

Your Uber vehicle

To maximise profits, you want a car that's cheap to run. Look for a vehicle with good mileage to keep fuel costs down. Hybrids are really popular with Uber drivers because they're cheap on fuel, plus they often have automatic transmissions installed, making for a more comfortable ride.

You also want a car that's cheap to repair if something goes wrong. Vehicles from manufacturers such as Toyota, Skoda and Kia are good on mileage and are affordable in Australia. Because you're clocking up so many kilometres as an Uber driver, your car will depreciate in value quickly, so don't invest a lot in a new or high-end vehicle.

Your goals

Before you start Ubering, have some goals in mind. Will it be a full-time thing or something you do on the side?

If you're a freelancer or are starting a business, for example, the flexible working hours mean that you can make consistent money while working on your start-up.

It's also good if you want to earn some extra cash at night or during the weekend on top of your main income.

If you live in a busy city, own a car that's cheap to run and are willing to put in the hours, Uber can also be a successful full-time job.

Your strategy

Lots of drivers only work during rush hour, bank holidays and at night on the weekends to make Uber driving as profitable as possible. For many, working at off-peak times might not be worth it. This is because you risk spending most of your time waiting around, earning nothing.

To make the most of Uber driving, it pays to know the area you work in. Popular areas of the city for nights out, airports and the CBD are all prime spots for ridesharing services.

One of the biggest things experienced Uber drivers mention is to look out for surge pricing. These are multipliers that increase your earnings at busy times. Uber also runs promos that could boost your earnings. Uber mentions there's an algorithm for surge pricing, so once you figure that out, you could make way more money per trip. Once an area starts surging, heaps of other Uber drivers are probably going to make a beeline for that area, so staying ahead of the curve is important.

Higher-end services like UberXL and UberSUV can make a lot of money as well. Once again, it pays to know the area you're working in and whether there's a demand for a more expensive and luxurious service.

Other Uber drivers blend ride-sharing with Uber Eats food deliveries to maximise their income and to stay busy, even during lulls in passenger requests. One Uber driver even said sometimes the food orders are within walking distance from the restaurant, so you can park the car and make your way on foot.

Expenses, deductions and taxes

Uber drivers are essentially running a business, so you should hold onto all work-related receipts and invoices as well as keep a logbook. If you have a logbook, you can claim tax back based on the business-use percentage of the expenses, including running costs and a proportionate decline in the car's value.

If you don't keep a logbook, you won't be able to claim work-related expenses like your phone bill (if you use it for Uber), car insurance, servicing costs, cleaning costs, lease payments and more. You would have to use the cents per kilometre method, which only allows you to claim 68 cents per kilometre, up to a maximum of 5,000 business kilometres per car.

Staying on top of your expenses is also the best way to work out how profitable Uber is for you.

What expenses do I need to take into account?

Becoming an Uber driver has its fair share of expenses that can eat into your weekly pay:

  • Car loan repayments

    Is your car under finance? You'll need to take your car loan repayments into account.

  • Insurance

    Uber requires you to have compulsory third party (CTP) and third party property damage cover. However, you might want a higher level of cover. You need to make sure your insurer covers rideshare use. Get quotes from Uber and rideshare car insurers. You'll need to factor in the cost of this cover.

  • Petrol

    This will be relative to how many hours you work, your car's fuel economy and how much you use your car outside of Uber. You can only claim for what you use while working.

  • Super contributions

    As these won't be made by UBER Driver, you have to make the decision whether you want to make these voluntarily.

  • Phone plan

    While you can claim this on tax as a work expense, you still need to have a plan that gives you a fair amount of data, calls and GPS use each month. That's because Uber uses the "Uber Driver" app to manage rides.

  • Car maintenance

    This includes car repairs, tyre replacement and servicing, like oil and filter changes. This will differ depending on how old your car is, what type of car it is, how often you drive it, where you drive it and how hard you drive it.

  • Parking

    Will you have to pay for parking during your daily Uber driving? Factor this into your expenses.

  • Tolls

    If a trip takes you through a toll, Uber will automatically reimburse you, but you'll need to make the payment first. Make sure you have a toll account and don't forget to pay before the deadline!

  • Extras

    If you've ever ridden in an Uber, you'll note that they're generally quite clean. You might even notice a few extras such as gum, water or even magazines. If you want to keep your Uber partner rating up (drivers with a rating of less than 4.5 can't work), you might want to consider offering your passengers a few extras. Cleaning regularly is a must, especially if you're working the early hours when passengers are a bit merry and spillages happen.

Taking all of your expenses into account can help you manage your budget and even reduce what you're spending. Remember, any of the above is tax-deductible.

Other benefits to driving with Uber

Aside from how much you can make as an Uber driver, there are a number of other benefits to driving with Uber. These include the following:

  • Safety for drivers

    Safety is a key advantage to driving with Uber as opposed to other forms of taxi driving. Because transactions are cashless, drivers don't risk unpaid fares and don't need to carry large amounts of cash. That should deter potential robbers. Drivers also rate their passengers, meaning that aggressive or disruptive passengers can be blocked from using the platform.

  • Safety for society

    There's evidence to suggest that the accessibility and affordability of the Uber platform may go towards helping keep drunk drivers off the road.

  • Flexibility

    As mentioned previously, Uber drivers pick their own hours and are not subject to shift work. This means that drivers can work with Uber alongside another part-time or even a full-time job. This can be useful for people saving for a substantial life purchase such as a house, holiday or wedding. That flexibility will also be popular with those starting their own business.

Compare your options for renting an Uber-ready vehicle

Even if you don't own your own car, you can rent one to be an Uber driver.

1 - 6 of 6
Updated regularly
Name Product Price Per Week (from) Insurance Included? Membership Fee Excess Distance Cost
Splend Flexi
Splend Flexi
$188
Yes
$275 (26 week rental period)
$0.10 per km
Get access to fuel discounts, referral bonuses and member only benefits when you rent a rideshare car with Splend. Flexi and Flexi own options available.
More Info
DriverLend
DriverLend
$77
No
$0
$0 per km
Driverlend is a finance broker. Lease or buy a car with Driverlend and you could get up to 20% discount on dealership prices for a new vehicle.
More Info
DriveMyCar Uber Rentals
DriveMyCar Uber Rentals
$160
Yes
$0
$0.10 per km
Get insurance, maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance in the all-inclusive price. Discounts available for longer rental periods.
More Info
Europcar Uber Rental
Europcar Uber Rental
$195
Yes
$0
$0.25 per km
Benefit from 24/7 roadside assistance, a wide range of vehicles and no signup fee to start driving with Uber. A minimum four-week rental period applies.
More Info
Hertz Uber Rental
Hertz Uber Rental
$217
Yes
$0
$0 per km
Benefit from 24/7 roadside assistance, no lock-in contracts and no joining fees. Rego and comprehensive insurance are included in the cost.
Splend Flexi own
Splend Flexi own
$319
Yes
$990 (Joining fee)
$0.10 per km
Rent a car and pay it off as you go with no lock-in contract, membership benefits and flexible rental options
More Info
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56 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    LeonApril 9, 2019

    I am a registered Uber driver based in Adelaide. Currently, I only do roughly 10 or 20 hours a month. I have been thinking about doing Uber as a full time job. It’s less stress than my current job. Wondering if it’s too big risk to leave my current job for Uber.

    Reply
      AvatarFinder
      JeniApril 10, 2019Finder

      Hi Leon,

      Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.

      This is really tough to answer. I suggest that you speak to a family member or close friends on this matter to help you decide which way would be more beneficial to you. You may also go through Uber drivers forums online to find out more on the pros and cons of being a full-time Uber driver. It is also essential to analyse the benefits or privileges you have or possible growth in your current job. Take your time to consider which way suits you more since you may drive full time or not with Uber while still employed.

      I hope this helps.

      Thank you and have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Jeni

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    SrdjanMarch 6, 2019

    I have a license for a motorcycle supply of food.
    I’m waiting for a uber taxi license.
    Can i use both occasionally a taxi and sometimes a motorcycle food delivery? I am living in Brisbane Australia.
    Thank you very much for your response

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      NikkiMarch 7, 2019

      Hi Srdjan,

      Thanks for your question! You can have both licences active but you have to use the specific licence for the designated purpose and not for the other. Hope this clarifies.Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.

      Best,
      Nikki

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    ViviFebruary 16, 2019

    How much does UberSelect drivers makes in Sydney weekly?

    Reply
      AvatarFinder
      JoshuaFebruary 18, 2019Finder

      Hi Vivi,

      Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. :)

      The answer to your question would depend on different factors, Vivi. For example, UberSelect drivers can earn depending on how many hours they are willing to work, hourly rate, and expenditures such as car loan repayments, insurance, petrol, car servicing, and parking, to name a few.

      You can use the free calculator above this page to get an idea of how much an UberSelect driver can make in Sydney.

      I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.

      Have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Joshua

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    JulianJanuary 2, 2019

    i was uber driver in other country at least 1 year, now I’m in Sydney but I’ve already had full driver license, Can I drive uber here?

    Reply
      AvatarFinder
      JohnJanuary 2, 2019Finder

      Hi Julian,

      Thank you for reaching out to finder.

      Please note on the Uber driver requirements below:

      Be at least 21 years old
      Have access to an Uber-approved vehicle
      Hold a full NSW driver’s licence: No Provisional (P) or Learners (L) licences are permitted
      Have held a full driver’s licence in any state or territory for at least 12 months
      Hold comprehensive or third party property insurance for the vehicle you’ll be driving, and consider specialized rideshare insurance for extra protection. Your name, vehicle make and registration, policy expiration and type of cover must be visible on the document.
      Hold a Private Hire Vehicle Authority issued by the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS). Uber helps all new drivers apply for their Driver Authority Card as part of the sign-up process.
      Complete a free vehicle inspection at a registered Uber inspection site
      Pass a background check.

      So this would mean that you need to hold a full Australian driver’s license for 12 months prior to driving with Uber. Hope this helps!

      Cheers,
      Reggie

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    AlexJanuary 2, 2019

    1.Is the driver get paid for the traffic time?
    2. If the customer ask to go to the other destination, before the nominated one
    Will the driver got paid for the extra kilometers or time?

    Reply
      AvatarFinder
      JohnJanuary 2, 2019Finder

      Hi Alex,

      Thank you for reaching out to finder.

      Uber drivers are paid according to time and distance. If an Uber Driver makes multiple stops, the rider pays more and the driver makes more. However, it should be noted Uber drivers will frequently balk when those stops include wait times. The price per minute is minuscule and those waits can cost the drivers money. The Uber app can now add multiple stops when hailing for a ride. This should be available to the driver once the ride has been accepted. Hope this helps!

      Cheers,
      Reggie

      Reply
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