What is Uber Eats & How does it work?
Uber Eats is a food delivery app operating across major cities and regions in Australia. It allows customers to order meals from local restaurants, and delivery partners use vehicles, scooters, or bicycles to complete deliveries. Uber Eats offers flexible earning opportunities for drivers, allowing you to choose your work schedule and get paid per delivery.
How does Uber Eats function?
Once a customer places an order through the app, a nearby delivery partner receives a request. You can review the pickup and drop-off locations and estimated earnings before deciding whether to accept the order.
After accepting, you head to the restaurant to collect the food. The app provides navigation to both the pick-up location and the customer’s address. At the restaurant, you confirm the order in the app, collect the items, and ensure everything matches the order details.
You then proceed to the delivery address using the in-app directions. Upon arrival, complete the delivery according to the customer’s instructions. For example, some customers request a meeting at the door or leave the order at a designated spot for contactless delivery. Once the delivery is complete, confirm it in the app to finalise the trip and receive payment.
Uber Eats Driver Requirements in Australia
Personal eligibility & documents
You must:
Be at least 18 years old
Own a smartphone compatible with the Uber Eats app and have reliable internet access.
Hold a valid driver’s license. Uber Eats accepts overseas driver's license in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, & Western Australia. If your license is not in English, you must provide a NAATI-certified translation or an International Driving Permit.
Provide valid proof of your identity (Passport or birth certificate).
Pass a background check online.
Have a valid Australian work visa if you are not an Australian citizen.
Have Health insurance or Medicare.
Own a portable charger.
Own an insulated bag to keep food warm for deliveries.
For bicycle deliveries:
Complete any required bicycle safety onboarding steps
Ensure the bicycle is roadworthy (working brakes, inflated tyres, lights/reflectors)
Wear a helmet (mandatory under Australian road laws)
Uber Eats vehicle requirements (car or scooter)
If delivering by car, the vehicle must:
Be a 1990 model or newer (subject to change based on Uber’s current policy)
Be registered in Australia
Have valid comprehensive or third-party property insurance
Be in a safe, roadworthy condition
If delivering by scooter or motorcycle:
Be registered and insured
Meet state road safety requirements
Be in a safe working condition
Business and tax requirements for an Uber Eats Driver in Australia
Business and tax requirements for an Uber Eats Driver in Australia
As an Uber Eats delivery partner, you are treated as an independent contractor rather than an employee. This means you are responsible for managing your own business registrations and tax obligations. Here is what you need to know.
Do you need an ABN to drive for Uber Eats?
Yes. Almost all Uber Eats delivery partners in Australia need an Australian Business Number (ABN).
An ABN is an 11-digit number used to identify a business or sole trader when dealing with the government and other businesses. As an Uber Eats driver, your ABN allows you to receive payments and operate legally as a sole trader.
Uber Eats delivery partners are generally treated as independent contractors, not employees. This means:
You are not receiving wages through payroll.
You operate as a business entity, even if you are a one-person operation.
An ABN allows Uber to make payments to you correctly and ensures you can issue invoices if required.
Most new delivery drivers register as sole traders, the simplest business structure in Australia. As a sole trader, you and your business are the same legal entity. You keep all profits but are personally responsible for all debts and tax obligations. Unlike employees, you don’t receive superannuation, paid leave, or tax withheld automatically from your earnings.
The best time to apply for an ABN is before completing the Uber Eats onboarding process and before starting deliveries. The Australian Business Register (ABR) will ask for the date you expect to commence business activities, so use your planned start date as a guide.
How to apply for an ABN for Uber Eats
Applying for an ABN is free and can be done entirely online. Here are the four steps:
Confirm you need an ABN. Most Uber Eats delivery partners operate as sole traders, which means they generally need an ABN to receive payments and carry out delivery work.
Gather your information. Before applying, have your Tax File Number (TFN), identity and contact details, expected start date, and business activity information ready.
Apply through the Australian Business Register (ABR). Complete the free online application at abr.gov.au. Most Uber Eats drivers will select “Individual/Sole Trader” as their business structure.
Receive your ABN and complete Uber Eats onboarding. Many applications are processed immediately, though some may take up to 20 business days. Once approved, add your ABN to your Uber Eats account and continue the onboarding process.
GST requirements for Uber Eats drivers
GST (Goods and Services Tax) is a 10% tax on most goods and services in Australia. Whether you need to register for GST depends on your income type and turnover. But the general rule is that if your annual GST turnover is $75,000 or more, you must register for GST.
Uber rideshare (UberX) is classified as a taxi travel service, which means drivers must register for GST regardless of their income level. Uber Eats food delivery is treated differently, it is not classified as taxi travel. As a result, the standard $75,000 threshold applies to most food delivery drivers.
Check the ATO’s current guidance or speak to a registered tax agent if you are unsure of your obligations.
Once registered for GST, you will need to:
Charge GST on your taxable deliveries where applicable.
Lodge Business Activity Statements (BAS) regularly (usually quarterly).
Keep proper records of income and expenses to support your BAS lodgements
Common GST mistakes we see many Uber Eats drivers making include;
Assuming GST registration is automatic. It is not. You must actively register through the ATO if you meet the threshold.
Confusing Uber Eats with rideshare GST rules. The rules are different. Rideshare drivers must register from day one; food delivery drivers generally do not until they hit $75,000.
Not monitoring turnover growth. If your earnings increase over time and you cross the threshold, you must register promptly.
Tax, expenses, and record-keeping for Uber Eats drivers
Uber Eats drivers generally pay tax on their earnings. Because you are an independent contractor rather than an employee, no tax is automatically withheld from your Uber Eats earnings. It is your responsibility to set aside money for tax throughout the year and lodge your own return.
Good record-keeping makes tax time significantly easier. Keep records of:
Uber earnings summaries and payment records
Invoices issued (if applicable)
Receipts for business expenses
Bank statements
Vehicle-related records (logbook, service receipts, fuel receipts)
For expenses, there are certain expenses that may be relevant to your delivery work. These include;
Fuel and charging costs
Vehicle servicing and maintenance
Mobile phone expenses (business portion)
Delivery equipment (e.g., insulated bags)
Parking fees and tolls
These are not guaranteed deductions. Always confirm your specific situation with a tax professional.
How to Sign Up with Uber Eats in Australia
Create an Account: Visit the Uber Eats driver website or download the app. Provide your email, create a password, and share some basic information. The app will be your primary tool for accepting and completing deliveries.
Apply for background and right-to-work checks: These help Uber determine whether you meet the requirements to register on the app and have the right to work in Australia.
Upload Required Documents: This includes proof of identity and relevant driving documents.
Vehicle Inspection: As mentioned, you must have the mode of transportation you plan to use inspected to ensure it meets Uber's standards.
Activate Your Account: Once Uber verifies your documents and approves your mode of transportation, you're all set to start earning.
Note that, while uploading your documents, you have constant access to three support options:
Direct Call Support: Phone support is available, 7 days a week, between 7 am and 1:59 am AEST. You can speak to a member of the support team by calling 1300 091 272
Online Support: Additional support is available on the Uber website.
Certified Translation for Driver's License in Australia: Uber Eats
If your driver's license was issued overseas and is not in English, don’t be alarmed. All you need is a certified translation of your license. A certified translation ensures that your driver's license is accurately translated into English. This is crucial because it ensures that all pertinent information is conveyed accurately, eliminating ambiguity or misunderstanding.
To guarantee the authenticity and accuracy of the translation, The Australian government specifies that official translations must be done by a NAATI- certified translator. The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters is the top most organization that ensures the quality of translations in Australia. A NAATI translator is equipped with the skills and expertise to provide a translation that meets Australia's stringent requirements.
While there are many translation services available, it is important to select a translation agency that will provide NAATI translation services. This entails providing a stamp and a certificate of accuracy with your driver’s license translations, ensuring Uber Eats and any other Australian entity recognises the document's validity.
How to Convert My Driver’s License to a Different State?
If you're relocating within Australia and wish to continue working for Uber Eats:
Visit the local transport department in your new state.
Provide your current license and necessary identification documents.
Pay the applicable fees.
Your new state license will be issued, and your old one will be invalidated.
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