Accessibility at Melbourne Airport is one of the things the taxi industry in Victoria quietly does well. Every maxi cab is wheelchair-accessible by default, every driver of an accessible vehicle has been trained to secure the chair properly, and the Multi Purpose Taxi Program subsidises half the fare for eligible passengers. The parts that go wrong are usually about communication at the booking stage, not the cab itself.
This is the practical guide for travellers with mobility, vision, hearing, or other accessibility needs, written from the driver's perspective.
Wheelchair-accessible taxis — what they actually are
In Victoria, the term "wheelchair-accessible taxi" (WAT) essentially means a maxi cab. Every registered maxi in the Melbourne metro fleet is built to transport wheelchair users.
A standard maxi cab has:
- A rear-entry ramp for boarding directly in a wheelchair, or
- A side-entry lift on some models
- Tie-down restraints inside the vehicle that secure the wheelchair safely during the trip
- A seat belt system designed for wheelchair users
- Enough headroom for most electric wheelchairs and scooters
Drivers of maxi cabs carry specific training to operate the ramp or lift and to secure the chair. This is part of the CPV Driver Accreditation process for WAT drivers in Victoria.
The vehicle is also a regular maxi with seats — so a wheelchair user can travel with up to 8 additional passengers in the same cab. Which means accessibility doesn't mean "separate", it just means "also seats a chair".
The Multi Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP)
Victoria's subsidy scheme for eligible concession holders. Details on the MPTP page on this site.
Short version:
- Who qualifies. People with severe disability, permanent mobility restrictions, or specific medical conditions as assessed by the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning.
- What the subsidy is. The state pays 50 percent of your taxi fare, capped at $60 member contribution per trip (so $120 total fare).
- How to use it. Swipe your MPTP smartcard at the end of the trip in the taxi's EFTPOS terminal. The subsidy is automatically applied. You pay the 50 percent member portion.
- Eligibility. You must have a current MPTP card. Paper forms and expired cards are not accepted.
For an airport run, a $95 total fare becomes a $47.50 member contribution. For a $120+ fare (Geelong, outer suburbs), you hit the $60 cap and pay $60 with the state paying the remainder up to $120, above which you pay the excess yourself.
See your exact fare — enter your suburb
Fixed price, all tolls and GST included. No card required.
Booking an accessible taxi from Melbourne Airport
Three main pathways.
1. Pre-book with a specialist operator. The most reliable option. Specify "wheelchair-accessible maxi cab" at booking. The operator allocates a trained WAT driver and vehicle. You get the driver's name, plate, and bay number by SMS. Meet at the pre-booked pickup zone.
2. At the rank, ask the supervisor. During supervised hours (roughly 5am to midnight), the rank supervisor can call in a maxi cab or allocate one from the queue. Waits can be longer than standard cabs because maxi availability is limited, but the system works. Overnight, the rank supervisor isn't on duty and you may need to call the network directly.
3. Call the taxi network directly. 13CABS (13 22 27) and Silver Top Taxi (13 10 08) both dispatch maxi cabs by request. Mention "wheelchair-accessible" when you book.
The pre-book option is by far the smoothest for arriving travellers. Walking to a standard rank, then queuing for a maxi, then waiting for one to become available, can add 30 to 60 minutes to your trip. A pre-booked maxi is at the bay when you arrive.
Service animals
Assistance animals, including guide dogs, hearing dogs, and other certified service animals, must be accepted by all Victorian taxis under the Disability Discrimination Act. Drivers cannot refuse service on the basis of an assistance animal.
If a driver does refuse — and it is rare but it happens, particularly with drivers new to the industry — report immediately to Safe Transport Victoria on 1800 638 802. The driver can face formal disciplinary action.
Your rights:
- Carry your assistance animal in the cab at no extra charge
- Have the animal at your feet in the passenger compartment (not in the boot)
- Not required to produce formal certification in most cases, though carrying it is advisable for interstate travel
For pet dogs (not assistance animals), drivers have discretion whether to accept. Declare at booking if you're travelling with a pet.
Visual impairments
Specific considerations at Melbourne Airport.
- Ambassadors in orange vests are trained to assist passengers to the rank or pickup zone.
- Airport signage is high-contrast and well-marked, though the rank supervisor is the most reliable point of contact.
- Drivers can assist with baggage loading and unloading as a standard courtesy.
- For pre-booked pickups, the driver meets you inside at arrivals for vision-impaired passengers on request. Specify the accessibility need at booking so the operator can adjust the pickup.
Hearing impairments
- SMS booking confirmation is standard with all major Melbourne operators, which works for hearing-impaired travellers.
- Most drivers carry basic written communication tools (pen and paper, whiteboard, or a phone notes app).
- Apps like Uber and DiDi also work well for hearing-impaired users because the booking and communication is text-based through the app.
If you need specific assistance (Auslan-trained driver, or a driver who uses text), call the operator and ask. Some have dedicated accessibility staff; not all.
Mobility aids other than wheelchairs
- Walking frames and walkers. Fit in any sedan boot. Standard service.
- Mobility scooters. Usually require a maxi cab because of the size and weight. Declare at booking.
- Oxygen tanks and medical equipment. Can travel in all cabs. Specify at booking so the driver knows what to expect.
- Crutches. Handled routinely; no booking note needed.
Common issues and fixes
What goes wrong in practice, and the fix.
- Maxi cab unavailable at the rank. Pre-book. Walking up with a wheelchair to a standard rank and expecting a maxi is not reliable.
- Driver unfamiliar with wheelchair securing. Rare, but possible for newer drivers. Ask politely to use the rear-entry ramp and tie-down straps. Most will remember the training.
- MPTP card not recognised at EFTPOS. The driver may have an older terminal. Insist the driver process through the network's dispatch system instead. Call 1800 638 802 if refused.
- Overcharge on accessible trip. Use the same complaint pathway as any other taxi complaint. MPTP cardholders are not a protected class for fare complaints — any fare overcharge is treated identically.
The short version
For any accessibility-related airport trip, pre-book. Specify the accessibility need (wheelchair, assistance animal, vision assistance). The operator allocates the right vehicle, the right driver, and the right pickup arrangement. Walking up cold to the rank with accessibility needs is workable but unreliable, particularly overnight.
Cost is no higher than a regular maxi-cab fare. MPTP covers half if eligible. The trip should be smooth because the training, the equipment, and the funding are all in place. The only thing that reliably breaks it is the communication gap at booking, and that is fixable with a two-minute phone call.