Accessible public transport is available in Sydney. Accessible buses run on most routes, and many train stations and ferry wharves are wheelchair accessible. For timetables and other public transport information visit the Transport Infoline or phone 131 500. To view the location of stations and wharves download our Google Earth overlay.

Ensuring Bus Stops are Accessible

Following a period of extensive consultation with a wide range of individuals and organisations, the Australian Human Rights Commission have published a "Guideline for promoting compliance of bus stops with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (DSAPT) 2002, December 2010. The Guideline has been produced to assist bus infrastructure providers to comply with the DSAPT.

Community Transport, a HACC service, provides transport for people with disabilities to assist them with shopping, appointments and social activities. For providers in NSW contact the Community Transport Organisation or phone (02) 9635 8980.

There are very few production vehicles made for people with disabilities. In most cases, standard production vehicles are specially modified to cater for drivers and passengers with disabilities. Modifications can range from simple additions of a steering wheel spinner knob to major modifications to the vehicle body structure such as extending the body length and altering the roof of the vehicle.

In NSW, any modifications must be approved by the RTA to show that the vehicle's safety standards have been maintained. This may be by certification of the modifications by an “Engineering Signatory” (listed in the RTA’s Vehicle Standards Information Sheet No. 15) or “Restricted Signatory” (listed in Vehicle Standards Information Sheet No 2).

A number of companies in NSW*** modify cars for people with disabilities as drivers and passengers:

1. Absolute Mobility (including driver modifications) Phone: 02 6652 1880 3/11 Industrial Dr, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 http://www.absolutemobility.com.au/
2. Accessible Transit Specialists Phone: 02 9724 7826 http://www.accessibletransit.com/
3. Al Palmer Repairs (supplies Toyota's purpose built accessible vehicle, the Portege ) Lot 12 Robertson Place, South Penrith NSW Phone: 02 4721 5060 http://www.alpalmer.com/
4. All-Vans 23 Marigold St, Revesby NSW 2212 Phone: 02 9771 3855
5. Arlow Engineering (including driver modifications) Unit 4, 42 York Road, INGLEBURN NSW 2565 Phone: 02 4648 0370
6. Ateco Equipment 1300 669 951 http://www.atecoequipment.com.au/default.asp?action=article&ID=125
7. Baribunma Mobility Systems Unit 3, 16 Stanley St, Peakhurst 2210 Phone: 02 9584 0586 http://www.baribunma.com.au/
8. Epps Engineering 6 McIntosh St Tamworth NSW 2340 Phone: 02 6765 9272
9. Freedom Motors Australia 17 Plasser Cr, St Marys NSW 2760 Phone: 02 9673 4033 www.freedommotorsaustralia.com.au
10. Littles Child Restraints Unit 19/176 Sunnyholt Rd, Blacktown NSW 2148 Phone: 02 9831 7110 www.littles.net.au
11. Mobility Engineering (including driver modifications) 3/28 Leighton Pl Hornsby NSW 2077 Phone: 02 9482 4572 http://www.mobilityengineering.com.au/
12. Mobility for the Disabled (including driver modifications) 243 Wallsend Rd, Cardiff NSW 2285 Phone: 02 4956 5422
13. Para Mobility 569 Guildford Road Guildford NSW 2161 Phone: 02 9632 6299 www.paramobility.com.au
14. Problem Management Engineering (including driver modifications) Unit 2, 8a Kookaburra Road , Hornsby Heights NSW 2077 Phone: 02 9482 2808 http://www.pmeautoconversions.com.au/
15. Trakka Conversions 9 Beaumont Rd, Mt Kuring-Gai 2080 Phone: 02 9472 9000 www.trakka.com.au/access.html
16. Tieman Industries 3 Arnott Place, Wetherill Park NSW 2164 Phone: 02 9732 7100 www.tieman.com.au
17. Western Truck Equipment P/L NSW 3 Smoothy Place, Arndell Park NSW 2148 Phone: 02 9672 1973 www.wte.net.au

The RTA's publication Vehicles Modified for People with Disabilities is the first stop for people when they consider modifying a vehicle.  It outlines the regulations relating to licensing and the standards and procedures to follow to make sure the vehicle is safe (and legal) on the road.

Novitatech publishesThe Van Book to help people choose a vehicle. It was first published in 1990 (with supplement updates in 1997 and again in 2002), and has information on new and used cars, including people movers and four wheel drives. There are details about dimensions of cars and useful contact numbers. The book saves time and money by giving a guide to suitable vehicles, without people having to go to car yards and spending lots of time with salespeople; to say nothing of finding out after purchase that the vehicle is not quite suitable. The cost of the 2002 supplement is $16.50 and all three publications can be purchased for $38.50.  Contact NovitaTech on 1300 85 55 85 or visit the Novitatech website for your copy.

Wheels Within Wheels—A guide to safe vehicle travel for wheelchair users (2nd ed), by Andrew Gagalowicz on behalf of NRMA ACT Road Safety Trust is a 2001 comprehensive guide to vehicle travel for wheelchair users. It answers all your questions about appropriate vehicles, modifications, lifting devices and wheelchair restraints, and much more. For your copy contact Eddie Wheeler, NRMA ACT Road Safety Trust (02 6207 7151) or alternatively copies can be borrowed from SCIA. Contact SCInfo on (02 9661 8855; information@scia.org.au).

*** SCIA does not endorse or promote organisations and companies, or claim to include all that provide a particular service. If you know of others that should be included please contact SCInfo (02 96618855; information@scia.org.au).

In NSW, the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority requires that drivers who sustain a disability or have a medical condition that may affect their ability to drive safely must notify it as soon as possible. The driver may undergo a medical examination to certify ability to drive. In some cases an off- and on-road driving assessment by a driver trained Occupational Therapist may be required and in such circumstances the need for customised vehicle modifications and/or equipment will be assessed. The driver’s licence will be conditional on the fitting of any special equipment or modifications. The licence is endorsed accordingly, just as for drivers who require spectacles.  

The process in NSW for a person with a disability who does not yet have a licence and wishes to drive is:

1. complete an application for a learner's permit. It asks whether you have a disability or have a medical condition that may affect your ability to drive. When you answer YES you may be required to have a medical assessment;
2. do the Driver Knowledge Test. When you pass your learner’s permit may be endorsed to show that your vehicle requires modifications, or other endorsements;
3. an off- and on-road driving assessment by a driver trained Occupational Therapist may be required. The need for any vehicle modification that may be needed is assessed. Any new or additional endorsements may be added to your licence;
4. learn to drive a suitably modified vehicle;
5. do a Driving Ability Road Test with an RTA assessor in a suitably modified vehicle; and
6. when you pass, your P licence will be endorsed to show what modifications you must use when you drive.

What equipment and modifications are needed will be assessed by a specialist occupational therapist.  Contact the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists (03 9415 2900) for a list of registered driver trained occupational therapists. Some of them in NSW are:

• Coorabel Driving Centre Phone: 02 9808 9328
• Driver Rehabilitation & Fleet Safety Services Phone: 02 9351 9331
• Dawn O'Reilly  Phone: 02 4759 3099
• Mt Wilga Phone: 02 9847 5000
• Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service  Phone: 1800 277 277
• St Josephs Hospital Driving Program Phone: 02 9649 8941
• Calvary Hospital Driver Rehabilitation and Assessment Service Phone: 9553 3000
• Lady Davidson Hospital: 9488 0111
• Nepean Hospital: 4734 2000
• Berkely Vale Private Hospital: 4398 1970
• Bankstown Health Service: 9722 7200
• TT Driver Training - Newcastle  Phone: 4955 7860

A major issue for learner drivers with disabilities is the cost of lessons. Recent rule changes require that learner drivers acquire 120 hours of driving experience before the Driving Ability Road Test can be taken. Drivers with disabilities who need vehicle modifications and don’t have their own vehicle must use driving schools that do have them for the full hours. The cost of 120 hours of lessons is exorbitant and not required for the large majority of learners who can use a family car for non-lesson driving. Apart from the driver assessment centres' vehicles, driving schools that have modified cars are:

• Macquarie Driving School, Phone: 02 9681 5910
• Marque's Driving School, Phone: 02 9477 5802
• TT Driver Training - Newcastle, Phone: 02 4955 7860
• Gold Star Driving School - Newcastle,  Phone: 02 4334 4944; 1300 766 876

However these may only have very minor modifications that do not include what you may need.

Money in Your Hand

Mobility Allowance provides assistance with the cost of transport to people:

• whose disability makes it difficult to use public transport; and
• who are in paid employment or are doing voluntary work, vocational training or independent living/life skills training for at least 32 hours every four weeks.

Mobility Allowance recipients who do not already have one will also receive a Health Care Card. To claim Mobility Allowance, submit two forms to Centrelink: Claim for Mobility Allowance and and Treating Doctor's Report. To obtain the forms, request them from Centrelink 13 2717 or download.

To Buy and Maintain a Car

GST Exemption

If you have lost use of one or more limbs to the extent that you are unable to use public transport you may be eligible to purchase a vehicle (and parts) free of GST. The vehicle must be for transport to and from paid employment, including activities in self-employment. People who can use only accessible public transport may still be eligible. The first step is to have your disability confirmed by a Disability Certificate from Medibank Health Solutions. To obtain one, have an Application for Medical Assessment to Obtain Motor Vehicle or Parts GST-free form completed by your doctor and send it to Medibank Health Solutions.

Once you have the certificate, take it and a Declaration to the Commissioner of Taxation to the dealer. Do this before you buy your vehicle—doing so after the purchase the dealer will not be able to refund the GST. Make copies of all documentation and do not lose your Disability Certificate. You will need to go through the whole process again if you do.

The GST and Motor Vehicle Purchases by Eligible People with Disabilities Fact Sheet is a full explanation of the eligibility criteria and application process. Request these forms from the Tax Reform Infoline on 13 28 66 or download from the website.

To Pay for Taxi Fares

Each State and Territory has schemes for reduced cost taxi fares for people whose disability makes it difficult to use public transport. For details contact the transport authority in your State.

Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme

In some parts of Sydney and in rural areas there can be long waiting times for an accessible taxi. The cost burden of taxi travel is offset by the Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme, which pays 50% of the metered fare. The maximum subsidy per trip is $30. Reciprocal arrangements are in place with taxi subsidy schemes in the other states. For applications and more information contact the TTSS on 1800 623 724.

Taxi subsidy interstate

The NSW TTSS has reciprocal arrangements with taxi subsidy schemes in the other States and Territories. However the TTSS vouchers can't be used there and eligible people are required to apply for the reciprocal subsidy vouchers from the NSW Ministry of Transport. The reciprocal TTSS vouchers provide the same subsidy: 50% of the metered fare, to a maximum $30 per trip. Don't wait too long to get your application in. It can take 14 days to be processed. People outside NSW can do likewise with their home schemes. 

For further information and the interstate taxi voucher application form go to the TTSS website or contact the NSW TTSS on 1800 623 724. 

To Ride on Public Transport and Other Costs

State and Territory governments provide a number of concessions to Pensioner Concession Card holders. They include:

• Reduction in public transport costs; and
• Reduced cost of vehicle registration and drivers licence

In NSW for regional train travel Countrylink gives four free economy trips each year to NSW and ACT pensioners. After the four free trips have been used there are other reductions available. For information visit the Countrylink pensioner page.

The brochure Disabled Persons Parking Schemes in Australia is available from VicRoads. It contains information on the mobility parking authority (MPA) for each Australian State and Territory and where they can be used. It also contains the relevant information for interstate and overseas visitors. A permit issued in one State or Territory may be used in all States, subject to local regulations being followed in each jurisdiction. However you must make sure your permit will not expire when travelling and display it on the windscreen. The information contained in the brochure provides only a summary of the disability parking concessions available. Therefore it is essential that you check with the relevant authorities mentioned to avoid any breaches of parking laws.

Travelling overseas

If you are travelling to the United States requirements for disabled parking permits for visiting overseas motorists will vary from state to state. Many of the websites of individual state Departments of Motor Vehicles provide information and/or application forms for a disabled parking permit. You may also check with your car hire company or contact a state travel/tourism office.

People travelling overseas to other countries who are planning to use a motor vehicle are advised to seek a letter of authority, in both English and the language of the country, from the Embassies in Australia of each country you are planning to visit. The letter would be displayed alongside your current Australian MPA in the windscreen. A word of warning though - SCInfo has been informed that it has become increasingly difficult to obtain these letters from the Embassies. Some have been reluctant and have required some persuasion; some have totally refused.

The Queensland Health Department has put together a very useful publication on guidelines for travel. See the Handbook of Spinal Cord Injuries chapter 4 – Guidelines for Travel.

Also see the various airlines travel information for people travelling with a disability: 

Qantas travel information for passengers with a disability.
Virgin Blue information on its procedures for mobility assistance.
Jetstar information on special assistance.

The disconnection of the cables from the battery terminals is required by the airlines as a safety precaution to prevent any short circuit in transit, which could cause a fire. Another reason is they fear that the chair might be started accidentally also causing a fire hazard.

The various airlines have different policies and procedures depending on the type of batteries e.g. sealed gel batteries, lead acid batteries etc. It would be a good idea to inform the airline of the type of batteries your wheelchair has and ask what is required to be done and who is to do it. Some airlines will only assist with direct instructions from the wheelchair owner or his or her acquaintance - the onus is on the wheelchair user to understand how to access the batteries to disconnect and reconnect the cables.

Virgin Blue provides comprehensive information on its procedures for wheelchair and scooter batteries.  

Qantas provides travel information for passengers with a disability  but it only offers a simple explanation that the batteries may need to be disconnected. Further information on procedures for wheelchair and scooter batteries can be obtained by calling Qantas on 131 313. 

Managing incontinence on plane travel poses a number of issues. Cabin crew are not permitted to assist with personal care functions like emptying legbags and urinals. Also, they are not permitted to assist with transfers to/from the toilet. Airlines require that people who cannot care for themselves travel with a companion who can perform these and other necessary functions.

Before flying: Read more

Disability Hire Vehicles - Based in Sydney, the vehicles are available for hire anywhere in Australia.

Flashcab Rentals - Flashcab Rentals provides accessible vehicles to rent from the Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and the Gold Coast for short and long term hires.

Freedom Motors Australia - Pick up and return from St Marys (40Km from Sydney CBD), NSW.

Wheelaway - Wheelaway Vehicles are available for hire anywhere in Australia.

Most major entertainment venues and tourist spots have good levels of access. Read about some of the aspects you need to consider here

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia have put together RollAwayz which opens in Google Earth to show the location of wheelchair accessible travel and tourism accommodation in hotels, resorts, motels, backpacker hostels and bed and breakfasts across Australia. To read more and to find out how to access it please go here

As a supplement to RollAwayz SCIA also has a database of accessible accommodation which can be searched according to various criteria including whether you require accommodation which is: in the central business district or within a certain radius of a state or territory capital; in or near a specific town; and self-contained, hotel/motel or youth hostel-style accommodation. Contact SCInfo for details.

We always recommend that you contact the accommodation prior to booking and speak to someone who knows the features of the accessible accommodation and other facilities such as the reception area, restaurant, parking etc so that you can be sure your needs will be met.

For details please contact SCInfo on ph: 02 9661 8855 or 1800 819 775, fax 02 9661 9598, email: information@scia.org.au.

Other sources for holiday accommodation information around Australia

1. Tourism NSW has a searchable database of accommodation.
2. Tourism Queensland has a searchable database of accessible accommodation. See down towards the bottom of this page the section: “Looking for accommodation?”.
3. The South Australian Tourism Commission has a searchable database of accessible accommodation.
4. Accessing Melbourne: An access guide to the City of Melbourne for visitors with mobility impairments.  (see Part 4 – Accommodation).
5. Tourism Victoria has a searchable accommodation database. Use the Advanced search option to search for disabled access facilities.
6. Tourism Western Australia – see Accommodation search.

Holiday Accommodation around the World

1. Accessible Europe is a pool of European travel agents expert in accessible tourism services for people with special needs.
2. Accomobility NZ. Find detailed and centralised information and accessible facilities provided at accommodation establishments throughout New Zealand.
3. Apparelyzed.com. US based. First hand experiences of accessible holidays and disabled holiday destinations for disabled people, their friends and family. They also have a dedicated forum for people to discuss and share their holiday and travel experiences.

There is very limited information kept about the total stock of accessible private rental accommodation throughout Australia. From time to time people notify disability organisations. For details please contact SCInfo. SCInfo is available on 02 9661 8855; 1800 819 775 or fax 02 9661 9598, email information@scia.org.au.

In NSW (and other States), public housing is available to those who cannot afford accommodation on the private market. Accessible houses and apartments are made available, and modifications are made to others to make them accessible. Temporary assistance helps pay commercial rent for those waiting for public housing. In NSW, contact Housing NSW to find out more. 

1.  Discuss and share information and experiences in the Travel & Transport section of SCIA's Forum.
2. Read the Transport and Travel section of SCIA's Back on Track publication.
3. See our links to travel, transport and accommodation organisations and resources.
4. Aparalyzed forum (US based) – section on Travel Tips & Wheelchair Accessible Holiday Destinations.
5. CareCure Forums (US based) – section on Recreation, Sports, Travel, & Hobbies.
6. Anxiety to access: Tourism patterns and experiences of New South Wales people with a physical disability.
7. Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre, Accessible Tourism: Challenges and Opportunities.  
8. European Network for Accessible Tourism. ENAT is a non-profit association for organisations that aim to be 'frontrunners' in the study, promotion and practice of accessible tourism.