Taxi fares annual review
The Department of Transport and Main Roads determines maximum fares for taxi services in Queensland under section 91ZR of the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994.
Maximum fares apply to all rank and hail taxi services. In addition, booked hire services are subject to maximum fares only if the service is for a member of the Taxi Subsidy Scheme or is provided in a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi to a person using a wheelchair. Maximum fares do not apply for all other personalised transport services that are booked.
Find out more about taxi fares and service areas.
Current taxi fares
On 1 July 2023, maximum taxi fares increased by 8.4%. Current maximum fares are published in the Queensland Government Gazette—No. 42, 30 June 2023 pages 336-338.
New taxi fare stickers are printed for distribution to taxi operators throughout the state via the Department's Passenger Transport Offices. Updated taxi fare stickers are required to be displayed in all taxis by 31 July 2023.
Annual fare review process
We review maximum taxi fares annually, with changes taking effect from 1 July.
We use a cost-based model that tracks changes in the cost of providing taxi services to review maximum taxi fares.
This approach ensures that maximum taxi fares reflect the cost of providing taxi service and excludes other items that are not relevant to the operation of a taxi in Queensland.
The annual taxi fare review considers changes to economic measures between March quarters each year, with an implementation date of 1 July. This is to ensure changes in fares respond in a timely manner to cost increases affecting the taxi industry.
Cost categories and weightings
The cost-based model incorporates a range of measures, including:
- vehicle operating costs, including fuel
- cost of driver and operator labour
- cost of repairs and maintenance
- cost of parts and panels
- cost of comprehensive insurance
- other industry costs.
Weighted percentages represent the approximate proportion of taxi operating costs associated with that specific cost component in the model.
| Cost components | Weighting1 | Category reference source |
|---|---|---|
| Driver and operator labour | 55% | QLD Wage Price Index |
| Repairs and maintenance | 5% | QLD Wage Price Index |
| Parts and panels | 10% | Brisbane Consumer Price Index – Spare Parts (Motor Vehicle) |
| Fuel | 15% | Brisbane Consumer Price Index – Fuel |
| Vehicle costs | 5% | Reserve Bank of Australia – Small Business Loans |
| Comprehensive insurance | 5% | Brisbane Consumer Price Index – Insurance |
| Other industry costs | 5% | Brisbane Consumer Price Index |
1All weightings have been rounded to the nearest 5% for all cost components.
- Last updated 20 July 2023