Accessible Point to Point Transport Initiatives
Implementation of the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) $15 million Emergency Funding Package
The NSW Government committed a $15 million emergency funding package to implement immediate actions over the next 12 months to stabilise the current decline in WAT services and improve the customer experience.
Details about the WAT Roundtables and the NSW Government response to the Key Findings Report are outlined on this page.
The increase to the WAT Driver Incentive Scheme (WATDIS) was introduced on the 31 March 2025. Transport is now implementing the following initiatives committed to in the emergency funding package.
WAT Operational Support Grant Program
Overview
The Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) Operational Support Grant Program (the Program) aims to improve availability of WAT services. The Program provides grants for eligible Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) operators to offset the higher costs to operate and maintain a WAT on the road compared to a standard taxi.
The Program is an initiative funded under the NSW Government’s $15 million Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) Emergency Funding Package announced in December 2024 as part of the NSW Government's response to the Key Findings Report on WAT availability NSW Government Report (PDF, 1.21 MB). A total of $2 million has been allocated for this grant program in 2025–2026.
The Program will be delivered in two rounds during the 2025 /2026 financial year:
- Round 1: Operational Support Grants - $2,500 per eligible WAT vehicle open from 5 August 2025 to 5 December 2025. A separate application is required for each WAT vehicle owned
- Round 2: Grant value to be determined based on uptake of Round 1 and expected to be open in 2026. Further information about the scope of Round 2 will be shared with industry in late 2025.
Round 1 – Applications now open
One-off $2,500 payment per eligible WAT vehicle is available.
To receive a grant, applicants must meet all eligibility criteria and submit a completed application by the closing date. Full details are available in the program guidelines.
Applications must be submitted through the NSW Government SmartyGrants system accessible via the portal here.
Closing date: 5 December 2025.
Instructions for applicants
Before applying:
- Read the full grant program guidelines
- Confirm that you meet all eligibility requirements
*Please note: Incomplete or late applications will not be assessed.
Documents and resources
- Grant program guidelines (PDF, 151.97 KB)
- Eligibility requirements checklist (PDF, 180.53 KB)
- Transport guide to completing the application form (PDF, 4.66 MB)
- Funding Agreement (DOCX, 238.76 KB)
- Transport guide for completing the Funding Agreement (PDF, 4.06 MB)
- Frequently asked questions (PDF, 3.85 MB)
- Wheelchair Book and Ride User Guide link: Centralised Booking Service | NSW Taxi Council
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding grant program or require assistance, please contact us:
Email: WATgrants@transport.nsw.gov.au
Additional support information on SmartGrants can be found at: SmartyGrants Applicants FAQs.
WAT Loan Scheme
The WAT Loan Scheme is designed to assist taxi operators in NSW with placing new and additional WATs into operation. The interest-free loans fund the cost of purchasing, modifying and/or retrofitting a vehicle for use as a compliant WAT.
As part of the NSW Government’s emergency funding package, an additional $5 million was made available for the WAT Loan Scheme and the maximum interest-free loan value was increased to $125,000.
Please note that the Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Regulation 2017 sets out the measurement requirements for WATs and other authorised point to point accessible vehicles. To obtain a WAT licence, the Point to Point Transport Commissioner’s website contains information on wheelchair accessible taxi licences.
The latest round of the WAT Loan Scheme is now open. Download the Application Form and Guidelines (PDF, 309.09 KB).
Applications for this round of the WAT Loan Scheme will close at on Friday 12 September 2025. Please ensure that your application form is readable, that all sections are complete and that all the necessary attachments are included. A detailed list of the items that are covered by a loan and those items that are not included are contained within the Application Form and Guidelines document.
If you have any questions about the latest round of the WAT Loan Scheme, download the FAQs August 2025 (PDF, 811.42 KB).
Wheelchair Accessible Services Roundtables and NSW Government Response to Key Findings
A series of roundtable discussions on the availability of wheelchair accessible services were held in Sydney, Ballina, Orange and Wagga Wagga between November 2023 and July 2024. Transport heard from a wide range of stakeholders on ways to improve the availability of wheelchair accessible services, while ensuring these services are safe and affordable for passengers who need them and are economically viable for service providers and drivers.
A Key Findings Report was developed, outlining four key areas of action for the NSW Government to consider.
- Availability of Wheelchair Accessible Services Roundtables Key Findings Report, October 2024 (PDF, 817.2 KB).
- Letter from the Minister for Transport, the Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Inclusion, and the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, October 2024 (PDF, 258.52 KB).
In response, the NSW Government announced a $15 million program over 12 months as a first step to address the current decline of wheelchair accessible services and support improvements in customer experience. The NSW Government Response to the Key Findings Report offers a holistic approach aimed at reforming policy in this area to address critical concerns raised by industry, advocates and wheelchair passengers. During this period, the NSW Government will be seeking legislative change to secure long-term funding for ongoing reforms outlined in the Government Response.
- NSW Government Response to the Key Findings Report, December 2024 (PDF, 1.21 MB).
- Letter from the Minister for Transport, the Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability inclusion, and the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, December 2024 (PDF, 744.79 KB)
Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme
The Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS) provides support for NSW residents who are unable to use public transport because of a disability. Further details can be accessed on the TTSS Information Webpage.