Safe · Comfortable · Reliable
Safe · Comfortable · Reliable
A checkable, source-linked research document supporting the establishment of Broome's first wheelchair-accessible taxi service. Every claim below links to its original source.
Prepared July 2026 · Damian Smith T/A Wheely Good Rides · Cable Beach, Broome WA
Broome Taxis and Transit, the town's only taxi operator (20+ years), runs station wagons and 8-seater maxi-taxis exclusively. No wheelchair-accessible vehicles exist in their fleet.
Source: broometaxis.com.au — fleet description confirms station wagons and maxi-taxis onlyThe WA Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) selected Broome to pilot the Regional WAV Taxi Service Grant scheme specifically because of "its lack of an existing WAV taxi service and popularity as a tourism destination."
Source: My Say Transport — Broome WAV ConsultationBroome is classified as a high priority area under the 2025-26 Regional WAV Taxi Service Grant guidelines, eligible for up to $80,000 in establishment funding.
Source: DTMI Grant Guidelines 2025-26 [PDF]The nearest wheelchair-accessible taxi service is approximately 2,200km away in Perth.
The Kimberley-Pilbara NDIS service district covers Broome. The NDIA provides direct planning services in this region. ABS 2022 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers found that nationally, 17.7% of Australians have a disability — applied to Broome's population, that's approximately 3,000 residents. In remote and very remote areas, disability prevalence is higher due to chronic health conditions, with Aboriginal Australians experiencing disability at 2.4 times the rate of non-Indigenous Australians.
Source: ABS Disability, Ageing and Carers 2022 · NDIS WA service areas774,456 Australians benefit from the NDIS nationally (as of May 2026), with 562,034 receiving support for the first time. The Kimberley region has a growing NDIS participant base, particularly in remote Aboriginal communities where accessible transport is a critical unmet need.
Source: NDIS in each state — WA (May 2026)Research published in 2026 projects the Kimberley Aboriginal population will grow approximately 45% between 2021 and 2051, with a corresponding increase in age-related conditions including dementia. The study identifies the need to "strengthen the accessibility to culturally safe health, social and aged care services" in the region.
Source: Luke et al. (2026) — Ageing of the Kimberley Aboriginal population, ScienceDirectBroome Hospital (WA Country Health Service) is the Kimberley's primary hospital facility, handling discharges and inter-facility transfers. There is currently no dedicated wheelchair-accessible vehicle available for patient transport upon discharge. The Kimberley PHN Needs Assessment identifies transport as a barrier to healthcare access across the region.
Source: WA PHN Kimberley Needs Assessment 2022-2024 [PDF]Broome serves as the primary support base for Browse Basin oil and gas operations (INPEX, Woodside). Crew changeovers occur via Broome Airport year-round. During the dry season (April–October), Broome receives significant domestic and international tourism, with Cable Beach and the Staircase to the Moon as major attractions.
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| ODBS authorisation | On-demand Booking Service authorisation under the Transport (Road Passenger Services) Act 2018 | To apply |
| PTV authorisation | Passenger Transport Vehicle authorisation (on-demand rank or hail category) for each vehicle | To apply |
| PTD authorisation | Passenger Transport Driver authorisation for each driver | To apply |
| Safety Management System | Written SMS covering hazard identification, risk assessment, driver training, vehicle maintenance, complaints handling, and incident reporting. Must be accessible to all staff. | To develop |
| TLIC0026 competency | WAV driver must demonstrate competency in Element 3 (assist passengers into/out of WAV) and Element 4 (drive a WAV taxi) | To complete |
| Camera Surveillance Unit | CSU must be installed in the WAV covering all passenger areas from torso up (WAVs may need multiple cameras due to layout) | To install |
| Vehicle standards | Must comply with AS 3856.1:2021 (hoists/ramps), AS 3856.2:2021 (fitting), AS/NZS 10542.1:2015 (tiedowns/restraints), and Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 | Vehicle-dependent |
| Record keeping | Trip records, complaint records, driver/vehicle records — retained 2 years minimum | Built into booking system |
| PTSS registration | Register with Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme to accept subsidised fares (75% off for WAV passengers) | To register |
Safety Management System template: DTMI provides a free guide with templates at transport.wa.gov.au/safetyresources. The SMS should cover: hazard identification, risk assessment and scoring, control measures, driver training programs, vehicle maintenance plans, incident reporting, and complaints handling. Smaller ODBSs can have simpler systems — the SMS should match the scale of the service.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration (optional) | NDIS provider registration is optional — unregistered providers can deliver services to plan-managed and self-managed participants. Registration required only for Agency-managed participants. |
| NDIS Worker Screening | All workers must hold a valid NDIS Worker Screening Check (or equivalent state check) |
| NDIS Code of Conduct | All workers and providers must comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct |
| Service agreements | Written service agreements with each participant or plan manager |
| Incident reporting | Reportable incidents must be reported to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission |
| Item | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Support worker hourly rate (weekday) | $70.23/hr | Standard rate; remote loading applies in Broome |
| Modified vehicle transport per km | $2.76/km | For vehicles with specialised disability equipment (WAV qualifies) |
| Standard vehicle transport per km | $0.99/km | For standard vehicles |
| Remote area travel time cap | 60 min each way | Extended from 30 min for remote areas (MMM 6-7) |
| Remote loading | Up to 40% price increase | Broome classified as remote (MMM 6) under Modified Monash Model |
Billing basis: All NDIS transport is billed as Category 02 — General Transport (Support Item 02_051_0108_1_1) using pre-agreed flat zone rates per trip. This is point‑to‑point wheelchair transport in a modified WAV — not accompanied community access. Flat rates are documented in each client's signed Service Agreement and invoiced directly to Plan Managers. Broome is classified MMM 6 (Remote) under the Modified Monash Model.
| Revenue stream | Weekly volume | Rate per trip | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDIS General Transport — town medical, BRAMS, KACS, shopping | 25–30 runs (Mon–Sat) | $35–45 flat zone | $1,000–1,200 |
| Heliport crew transfers — INPEX Ichthys, Shell Prelude, Woodside Browse | 3–4 runs | $85–120 contracted | $285–420 |
| Airport private transfers — door‑to‑door, hotels, resorts | 3–4 runs | $55–85 flat | $195–300 |
| Airport shuttle — 14‑seat HiAce, per‑passenger | 1 full run/day (seasonal avg) | $18–20/pp × 14 seats = $252–280 | $265 |
| Hospital transfers — Broome Hospital (WACHS) facility account | 5 runs (weekdays) | $40–50 contracted | $200–250 |
| Hotel & resort drop‑offs — Cable Beach Club, Broome Time, visitors | 3–4 runs | $55–65 flat | $180–250 |
| PTSS subsidised fares — 75% fare subsidy (up to $35/trip from DTMI) | 5–6 runs | $40 avg fare (passenger pays gap) | $200–240 |
| Total weekly revenue | $2,325–2,925 | ||
| Annual revenue (48 working weeks) | $111,600–140,400 |
Why this works: No single revenue stream accounts for more than ~43% of income. NDIS General Transport is the reliable backbone. Heliport crew runs are the margin driver — year‑round, contracted, invoiced to logistics operators with zero NDIS paperwork. Airport shuttle is a seasonal volume play (one full 14‑seat run = $252–280, roughly 7× short NDIS trips). The rent‑to‑own vehicle payment of $280/week is covered by two heliport runs or seven NDIS town trips — everything above that is operating profit.
| Expense | Weekly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Rent-to-own vehicle payment | $280 | $14,560 |
| Fuel (est. 600km/week × $2.30/L ÷ 8.6L/100km) | $160 | $8,320 |
| Insurance (comprehensive + public liability + CTP) | $110 | $5,720 |
| Registration and vehicle compliance | $1,200 | |
| Maintenance and servicing (incl. remote area premium) | $4,500 | |
| Accounting software (Xero) | $600 | |
| Phone, data and booking system | $1,800 | |
| ODBS/PTV/PTD authorisation fees | Waived (grant recipient) or ~$500 | |
| TLIC0026 driver training | $800 | |
| Branding, livery and signage | $2,500 | |
| Consumables (cleaning, PPE, admin supplies) | $1,200 | |
| Total operating costs | $41,700 |
| Scenario | Annual revenue | Annual costs | Net income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative (50% utilisation — lighter NDIS bookings, no shuttle) | $78,000 | $38,000 | $40,000 |
| Base case (65% utilisation — as modelled above) | $126,000 | $40,000 | $86,000 |
| Optimistic (80% utilisation — strong NDIS demand + full shuttle season) | $155,000 | $41,700 | $113,300 |
| Full capacity (8 hours/day, 6 days, all streams at maximum) | $180,000 | $41,700 | $138,300 |
Even at 50% utilisation — the worst case — the service generates $40,000 net income, comfortably above the vehicle payment and all operating costs. The finance is covered at every scenario.
Not included in Year 1 projections. When the fleet expands and a dedicated support worker is onboarded, Wheely Good Rides will additionally offer Category 04 Activity Based Transport at NDIS remote rates ($98.32/hr weekday, $137.77/hr Saturday, $177.22/hr Sunday + $2.76/km modified vehicle). This is accompanied community access — where the support worker stays with the client at their destination — and represents a significant future revenue uplift for a multi‑vehicle operation. For Year 1, the service operates as General Transport only: point‑to‑point, flat zone rates, no support‑worker hourly billing.
Import warning: DTMI advises that many imported WAV models (particularly Japanese Welcabs) do not meet the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 due to internal dimensions and door sizes being too small. Before purchasing any imported WAV, email ondemandtransport@transport.wa.gov.au to confirm compliance for commercial WAV taxi use in WA.
Toyota HiAce Commuter Wheelchair Accessible Van — factory or certified wheelchair conversion, powered rear-lift, Q'Straint certified restraint system, configured to transport up to two wheelchairs simultaneously plus seated passengers. 2.8L turbo diesel or 2.7L petrol, automatic transmission. 14-seat configuration. Source through commercial rent-to-own or approved WAV dealer.
The Regional WAV Taxi Service Grant is administered by DTMI under the Transport (Road Passenger Services) Act 2018. The 2025-26 round opened 4 September 2025 and closed 2 October 2025. The next round (2026-27) is expected September 2026.
| Criteria (25% each) | How this application addresses it |
|---|---|
| Strength of proposal and ongoing viability | Three-year plan with Year 1 establishment, Year 2 demand proving, Year 3 fleet expansion. Cashflow positive from Month 1. Multiple revenue streams (NDIS, hospital, corporate, PTSS). |
| Passenger transport / WAV driver skill and experience | 20+ years offshore logistics experience. Previous NDIS registered provider. 18 months personal carer experience for wheelchair-dependent family member. TLIC0026 competency to be completed. |
| Detailed costs and quotes | Vehicle quotes sourced from Westlak Auto (Kenwick WA). Full 3-year cost projections prepared. Revenue model based on published NDIS rates and WA taxi tariffs. |
| Commitment to grant objectives and community benefit | Established relationships with BRAMS, KACS, Broome Hospital. Purpose-built booking system with institutional portals. PTSS registration planned. Local resident (Cable Beach). |
A comprehensive 25-step compliance and launch checklist has been prepared covering business registration, vehicle compliance, DoT authorisations (ODBS, PTV, PTD), Safety Management System development, NDIS provider requirements, PTSS registration, insurance, and operational readiness. This checklist is maintained internally and updated as each requirement is completed.
Key milestone dates: DoT grant application — September 2026 round. TLIC0026 driver competency — to be completed prior to launch. Safety Management System — to be developed using DTMI templates prior to ODBS authorisation. All regulatory requirements are documented with direct links to the relevant DTMI and NDIS resources.
| Classification | Casual hourly rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 2 | $34.96/hr | Standard passenger vehicle driver |
| Grade 3 | $36.94/hr | WAV / specialised vehicle driver (recommended minimum) |
Award minimums won't attract reliable drivers in the Kimberley labour market. Delivery drivers in Broome average $70,000–75,000/yr according to Seek data. A WAV driver carries additional responsibility — wheelchair securement, passenger assistance, NDIS documentation. A 20% above-award casual rate is realistic to attract quality candidates.
| Scenario | Hourly rate | Weekly (30hrs) | Weekly (38hrs FTE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Award minimum (Grade 3 casual) | $36.94 | $1,108 | $1,404 |
| Above-award target (~20% over award) | $44–45 | $1,320–1,350 | $1,672–1,710 |
| Cost item | Weekly | Monthly | Annual (48 wks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wages ($45/hr × 30) | $1,350 | $5,850 | $64,800 |
| Superannuation (12% SG) | $162 | $702 | $7,776 |
| Workers compensation (~2%) | $27 | $117 | $1,296 |
| Total driver cost | $1,539 | $6,669 | $73,872 |
Revenue breakeven per driver: At $55 avg NDIS town trip, you need ~28 runs per week to cover driver cost. At $70 avg (mix of airport and NDIS), it's ~22 runs. At 5–6 runs per day, the driver pays for themselves. Above that, each additional run is margin. The base case revenue model ($126K/yr) comfortably covers one full-time equivalent driver.
| Component | Rate | Weekly value (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Base (Grade 3 casual award) | $36.94/hr | $1,108 |
| Per-trip completion bonus | $5/trip | $150 (30 trips) |
| Safety & on-time KPI bonus | $100/wk | $100 |
| Total effective | ~$45/hr effective | $1,358 |
This protects the business in quiet weeks (base drops to award) while rewarding consistent performance. A driver doing 40+ runs/week earns above the flat target rate.
| Requirement | Cost | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDIS Worker Screening Check | ~$100 | Every 5 years | Mandatory for NDIS billing |
| DTMI PTD authorisation | ~$150–200 | Annual | Passenger Transport Driver — criminal history + medical |
| First aid + CPR certificate | ~$150 | Annual (CPR) / 3yr (FA) | Recommended for all drivers |
| WAV competency training | ~$300–500 | One-off | Wheelchair hoist, tie-down, passenger assistance |
| Total per-driver setup | ~$700–950 |
No TAFE enrolment is required. Competency can be demonstrated through a combination of:
Practical path for Broome: Complete Q'Straint Securement 101 online (free, 2 hours) + Cerebral Palsy Alliance Transporting Clients online (~$80, 3 hours) + hands-on practice with your own van. DTMI's TLIC0026 requirement is competency-based — not classroom-based. Document your training and have a signed competency log ready for audit. No need to travel to Perth or sit in a TAFE classroom.
For future expansion to Kununurra, Halls Creek, and Fitzroy Crossing, the most viable staffing model targets partners of government-posted workers (teachers, nurses, police, departmental staff). These candidates are:
Combined with the WA Government's $80,000 Regional WAV Taxi Service Grant for new towns, this makes multi-town Kimberley WAV expansion operationally feasible — not just financially viable.
| Organisation | Relationship | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (BRAMS) | Existing relationship from previous NDIS business | Referral partner, letter of support for grant application |
| Kimberley Aged & Community Services (KACS / WACHS) | Known to operator | Service partner, facility account for client transport |
| Broome Hospital (WA Country Health Service) | Known to operator | Discharge/transfer partner, facility account |
| Broome Lotteries House / Broome Circle | Known to operator | Community hub, disability advocacy connections |
| NDIS plan managers (various) | Previous business relationships | Client referrals, plan-managed billing |