Taxi subsidy scheme and Vision Impairment Travel Pass
About the scheme
The taxi subsidy scheme is one of our initiatives which aims to improve the mobility of persons with severe disabilities. The scheme is funded and administered by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Are you eligible for the taxi subsidy scheme?
To be eligible for membership of the taxi subsidy scheme you must:
- be a permanent resident of Queensland
- fully meet at least one of the eligibility criteria listed below:
- Physical disability requiring dependence on a wheelchair for all mobility outside the home.
- Severe ambulatory problem that cannot functionally be improved and restricts walking to an extremely limited distance.
- Total loss of vision or severe visual impairment (both eyes).
- Severe and uncontrollable epilepsy with seizures involving loss of consciousness.
- Intellectual impairment or dementia resulting in the need to be accompanied by another person at all times for travel on public transport.
- Severe emotional and/or behaviour disorders with a level of disorganisation resulting in the need to be accompanied by another person at all times for travel on public transport.
Scheme membership is approved for a maximum of five years. All members must reapply for assessment before their current membership expires.
If your disability is of a temporary nature, temporary membership may be granted for a period of 6–12 months. After this time has elapsed, you must reapply if you wish to extend your membership.
How to apply for membership
If you think you may be eligible you must:
- complete Part A of the Taxi Subsidy Application Form
- provide two passport size photographs
- visit your doctor or specialist and have them complete Part B and Part C of the application (and sign the back of your photograph)
- mail the completed application with the photographs to the Taxi Subsidy Unit, Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Your eligibility will be assessed by Queensland Health, or their agent. The Department of Transport and Main Roads will notify you by post of the decision, and if you are approved, information about how the Scheme works will be included.
If approved to membership of the Scheme you will receive your Taxi Subsidy Scheme electronic membership card within two weeks of the date of the letter.
Person with a Vision Impairment Travel Pass
This pass entitles holders to free travel on all participating urban public transport services including bus, rail and ferry within Australia.
Free travel is for the pass holder only, and does not include any other arrangements that might be in place in individual states or territories, such as free travel for carers or attendants.
To apply for a Vision Impairment Travel Pass, fill out an application form. These are available from:
With the application form, you must supply two identical passport photographs of yourself and have a Justice of the Peace or lawyer certify the photographs by signing and dating each photograph on the reverse side.
Additional information can be found in the Frequently asked questions (PDF, 60 KB) document.
Card lost or stolen
If your Vision Impairment Travel Pass has been lost, stolen or damaged, please phone 1300 134 755x or email TSSU@tmr.qld.gov.au to request a replacement card.
Requests for the replacement of lost, stolen or damanged cards require confirmation of the cardholder's full name, date of birth and postal address. You may be required to supply new passport photographs of yourself.
If you have any queries about the pass or wish to enquire about your application's progress, please call the Vision Impairment Travel Pass Scheme on 1300 134 755x.
