In this Section Public transport Taxi travel Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS) Mobility allowance GST exemption on the purchase of a new car Car registration concessions

When seeking employment, it is important to research how you will travel to work as well as the costs and barriers.

An outline of travel options, costs and possible barriers are outlined below:

Public Transport

The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport were endorsed by the Commonwealth Government in 2002. The Standards outline minimum accessibility requirements that need to be met by providers and operators of public transport, infrastructure and premises.

The Standards prescribe detailed requirements in relation to transport including access paths, manoeuvring areas, ramps and boarding devices, allocated spaces, handrails, doorways, controls, symbols and signs, the payment of fares, the provision of information etc. Click here to access the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport.

For wheelchair accessibility, it is important for you to investigate which ferry wharves, private and public bus routes and railway stations are accessible:

• The NSW Ministry of Transport website provides general accessibility transport maps for NSW rural and Sydney regions.
• For more specific details, refer to the Transport InfoLine: 131 500 or the Transport InfoLine Accessible webpage.

Costs:

• If you are in on the Disability Support Pension, you can receive concession fares on public transport. The Pensioner Excursion Ticket (PET) has a flat fare and covers all day travel (including private bus companies) around Sydney , Newcastle and Wollongong . This is also applicable to private bus companies.
• If you have a Vision Impaired Persons Pass , you are entitled to free travel on CityRail, Sydney Buses, Sydney Ferries, Newcastle Buses and Ferries, T-way services. An attendant may also travel free if the pass is endorsed.

Barriers:

• Transport facilities are inaccessible at many train stations, bus interchanges and ferry wharves.
• Greater time is required to access public transport if you require it to be accessible.
• Limited staffing is available at many transport facilities therefore assistance can be difficult to obtain.
• Interconnections between different transport modes can be extremely difficult due to limited accessible facilities and travel routes.

Taxi Travel

Sydney's Taxi networks provide a booking service if you use a wheelchair to locate the closest available Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT). The booking service requires you to book a vehicle ahead of pick-up time.

To access a WAT, telephone 02 8332 0200 or 1800 043 187 or contact your local Country Network.

NOTE: All Taxis must accept passengers with guide dogs or companion dogs.

Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS):

To be eligible for fare assistance under the TTSS your disability must be severe and permanent and come within the following categories of eligible disabilities:

• permanent inability to walk
• total and permanent dependence on a wheelchair
• severe mobility problems which require the permanent use of complex walking aids or constant assistance of another person
• total loss of vision or severely impaired sight
• severe and uncontrollable epilepsy
• severe intellectual disability causing socially unacceptable behaviour or requiring constant assistance if on public transport.

Costs:

If you are eligible to use the TTSS, you are entitled to a discount of 50% off the metered fare to a maximum of $30. The maximum $30 discount applies when the metered fare is $60 or greater than $60.

	E.g. If the metered fare is $40, you can use a travel docket for $20 and pay the other $20 yourself. If the metered fare is $70, you can use a travel docket for $30 and pay the other $40 yourself (the maximum subsidy per docket is $30).

You must pay the extra portion of a fare over $60. Only one travel docket can be used per single journey.

TTSS Vouchers from other States and Territories of Australia

Since 1999, special interstate TTSS vouchers can be used in all States and Territories of Australia.

Barriers:

• Even with the TTSS, using a taxi costs significantly more than using public transport. The cost can be extremely if this is the sole mode of transport to and from work.
• There is often a long delay in waiting for an accessible taxi despite early bookings.
• If you require an accessible taxi, you cannot book it on the Internet.
• There are too few accessible taxis, particularly in regional NSW.
• If you are blind or vision impaired, you may be unable to verify the metered fare and rely on the driver to determine the correct amount and complete the details on the TTSS voucher forms. This honesty system can be open to abuse by unscrupulous taxi drivers.

For further information about TTSS, refer to the NSW Ministry of Transport TTSS website.

Mobility Allowance:

If you are in paid employment, voluntary work, vocational training, undertaking independent living/life skills training or a combination of paid work and training and are unable to use public transport without substantial assistance, you may be eligible to receive the Mobility Allowance.

To Be Eligible for the Mobility Allowance You Must:

• be 16 or over, and
• have a disability that prevents you from using public transport without substantial help for the next 12 months or longer (there does not need to be public transport in your area for you to qualify), and
• be undertaking vocational training, voluntary work, paid work, independent living/life skills training, or a combination of these for at least 32 hours every four weeks on a continuing basis, or
• have an agreement to look for work through the Job Network , or
• be undertaking jobsearch activites with a Disability Employment Network service , or
• be getting Newstart Allowance, Youth Allowance or Austudy and are required to satisfy the Activity Test, and
• need to travel to and from your home as part of your work, training or job seeking, and
• be an Australian resident, in Australia and not subject to the two year newly arrived residents waiting period.

There is no income or assets test for the Mobility Allowance. Reviews of those in receipt of the Mobility Allowance are conducted each year. Those with a temporary medical condition (that is, expected to last less than two years) have a medical review as part of their annual review.

Refer to Centrelink to apply for the Mobility Allowance.

Benefits:

• Mobility Allowance is a non-taxable payment of $71.40 per fortnight (2006). A lump sum advance equal to 6 months allowance may be paid once a year (effective from March 20 2006).
• You also receive a Health Care Card.

For further information refer to the Mobility Allowance Information page, Centrelink website.

GST Exemption on the Purchase of a New Car

If you intend to purchase a car for personal transportation to and from work, you may be able to buy a new car that is GST-free. Work may include:

• paid work including work in your own business, for at least 8 hours a week on a regular basis, and
• receiving an award wage income.

You cannot purchase a car GST-free if you are looking for work, work as a volunteer or are currently a student.

To be eligible for GST exemption on new cars, you need to have a current Disability Certificate, which is issued by Health Services Australia (HSA). The certificate certifies that you have lost the use of one or more limbs that makes it difficult to use public transport. You will be required to complete an 'application for medical assessment to obtain a car or car parts GST-free' and send to HSA to determine eligibility. You may be issued with a permanent or a temporary certificate, based on whether they think you need further assessment at a later date, generally when you purchase your next car GST-free.

Click here to access the 'application for medical assessment to obtain a car or car parts GST-free' (PDF document).

If you are eligible to purchase a car GST-free, you are also able to lease a car GST-free provided that the lease is for at least 2 years, the car to travel 40,000 kilometres from the date you lease it and that the car is used for the prescribed purpose over the 2 year period i.e. transportation to and from work.

If you are eligible to purchase a car GST-free, you are also able to purchase car parts GST-free. Car parts such as batteries, brake pads and filters would be GST free but items such as oil, additives and petrol, car accessories such as spoilers, mud flaps and roof racks cannot also not be purchased GST free.

You can also purchase car products GST-free that are specifically designed for people with disabilities such as:

• Special purpose seats
• Wheelchair ramps
• Wheelchair lifting devices
• Motor vehicle modifications.

Costs:

• There is a limit to the value of a car that can be purchased which is $57,009 (2005-2006 financial year). You will then be required to pay GST on any amount over that limit.
• A luxury car tax is required to be paid if you purchase a car over $57,009 irrespective if it's the only suitable car on the market.

Barriers:

• A large amount of money is required to purchase a car. This can be difficult if you are just about to start your first job.
• You may need to purchase a car over $57,009. It may be the only car on the market that can be fitted with the most suitable wheelchair lifting device for you.

For further information, refer to the Australian Taxation Office GST and Cars Purchased by Eligible People with Disabilities website.

Car Registration Concessions

If you are in receipt of a Pensioner Concession Card, you can receive a reduced cost on the registration of your vehicle and also your driver's licence.

For further information, refer to the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority Pensioner Concessions website.

Information Source:

• Concession Travel: Transport Infoline website
• Special Needs: NSW Taxi Services
• Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme: NSW Ministry of Transport
• Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme: Taxicare Professional website
• Access to Public Transport in NSW: Physical Disability Council of NSW March 2006
• Taxi Transport Subsidy Review Submission: Vision Australia August 2004
• Mobility Allowance: Centrelink website
• GST and Cars Purchased by Eligible People with Disabilities: Australian Taxation Office