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Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Subsidy Scheme

The Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Subsidy Scheme is part of an ongoing commitment to expand and maintain the accessibility of WAV services in urban, regional and country Victoria. The scheme subsidises the purchase costs of a WAV to make it similar in cost to a conventional vehicle that provides unbooked (taxi) services.

This page provides information about the scheme and how to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

Before being approved for a subsidy, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • you have owned and operated an urban, regional or country WAV (taxi) licence prior to 9 October 2017, and have continued to provide WAV services in these areas with a current CPV registration
  • be replacing a WAV that is older than 5 years
  • be able to accept and process Multi Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP) payments, and
  • do not owe a previous unexpired subsidy to CPVV (if a previously subsidised vehicle has been sold or written off, and CPVV have instructed you to repay some of the subsidy payment).

Important: WAVs that only operate, or will only operate, in the Melbourne Metropolitan area cannot be subsidised. Subsidised WAVs are required to, almost exclusively, operate in the region nominated on the application. WAVs conducting trips starting and ending in the Melbourne Metropolitan area are not eligible for the WAV subsidy.

Application, assessment and scheme guidelines

We will endeavour to review subsidy applications and notify you in writing of our decision to approve or refuse your application, within 14 days of receiving a complete and valid application.

We will contact you if it requires additional information. If you don’t respond to our request for further information within 30 days, we will process your application based on the information provided. This may result in your application being refused.

Please note that the application form is within the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Subsidy Scheme Guidelines below.

Instructions on how to apply can be found within the guidelines.

The subsidy scheme guidelines include:

  • information about the scheme
  • the schedule of subsidy payments
  • the application form.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Subsidy Scheme Guidelines PDF, 468.3 KB

Timelines

If you are applying for a subsidy to buy a WAV to replace an existing unbooked service (taxi) vehicle, you should lodge your application well in advance of buying the new vehicle. You should also consider the time required to have the new vehicle modified to carry wheelchairs – you may need to discuss this with the vehicle supplier. To ensure a timely vehicle changeover is achieved, consider lodging your application about six months before the date you wish to commence service with the new WAV.

In summary, the following timelines are a guide for the application process and its finalisation:

Stage

Details

Timeline

Application
(CPVV assessment)

CPVV decision after the receipt of a complete and valid Application

14 days

Satisfying the conditions for payment
(applicant to complete)

As soon as the applicant has submitted the required documentation (see details below)

To be determined

Payment of invoice
(CPVV finalisation)

After satisfying the conditions for payment

14 days

The following certified or original documents must be submitted within six months from the date of your approval letter (satisfying the conditions for payment):

  • inspection report to confirm compliance with "Vehicle Standards Information 31, Licensed Passenger Vehicle Standards - Taxi”, which is available online at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
  • engineering certification for WAV conversion (if applicable)
  • evidence of comprehensive insurance cover on the vehicle
  • proof of vehicle ownership
  • provision of new vehicle details form (note this form will be sent to you once the WAV Subsidy Agreement is signed)
  • the tax invoice for the purchase of the vehicle; and
  • a separate tax invoice for the conversion to a WAV (if not included in the vehicle purchase).

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle requirements

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) must meet a range of important requirements to ensure safety and accessibility for passengers.

For more information, visit Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle requirements

Driver accreditation and WAV training

Under the agreement, WAV drivers must hold CPVV issued driver accreditation, complete the WAV practical assessment and hold a ‘W endorsement’, which allows them to provide commercial passenger vehicle services to passengers in wheelchairs.

Important: your WAV business must give priority to bookings by people in wheelchairs.

WAV Subsidy Scheme Agreement

If your application is approved, you will be required to enter into a WAV Subsidy Agreement (Agreement). Subsidies will only be paid on the terms of this Agreement. You should read the Agreement carefully and obtain independent legal, taxation and financial advice if necessary.

Wheelchair Accessible Commercial Passenger Vehicle Purchase Subsidy Agreement (sample only) PDF, 207.9 KB

More information

For more information on the WAV Subsidy Scheme, contact us.