Table of Contents
- PTSS Taxi Subsidy Eligibility: Who Can Renew in Perth
- Check Your PTSS Expiry Date Before You Start
- Your PTSS Renewal Application: Step-by-Step
- What Happens After You Submit Your Renewal
- PTSS SmartRider or Smart Card: Using It and Fixing Problems
- PTSS vs TUSS: What Changed and Why It Matters for Renewals
- Getting Help with Your Renewal: Carers and Accessibility Needs
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: October 14, 2026
PTSS Taxi Subsidy Eligibility: Who Can Renew in Perth
The Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme, or PTSS, is a government program that helps eligible people with permanent disabilities pay for taxi travel (Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme (PTSS)).
The scheme replaced the old Taxi Users Subsidy Scheme, known as TUSS, and it now runs on a digital card. That change trips up a lot of long-term members. More on that shortly.
Permanent disability and impairment requirements
Renewal eligibility mirrors the original rules. You must still have a permanent disability or impairment that stops you from using regular public transport.
The key word is permanent. A temporary injury will not qualify, no matter how limiting it feels right now.
Eligible conditions typically affect mobility, vision, or cognition in a lasting way. If your situation has not changed since your last card, your renewal should be straightforward.
How medical evidence supports your renewal
Your PTSS taxi subsidy eligibility depends on current medical evidence. The Department of Transport needs proof that your condition still meets the criteria.
A medical practitioner completes the relevant section of your form. They confirm your disability is ongoing, not resolved.
Ask your doctor to note the specific functional impact, such as difficulty walking to a bus stop or standing for a full trip. Vague letters get sent back, and that adds weeks to your wait.
Check Your PTSS Expiry Date Before You Start
Your PTSS expiry date is printed on your card and often listed in your online account. Start your renewal at least four to six weeks before that date.
Why so early? Medical appointments take time to book. So does post.
If your card lapses, you lose access to the subsidy until the new one is approved. There is no grace period worth relying on.
- Check the expiry date on the card itself
- Log in to your account to confirm the official date
- Diarise a reminder two months ahead
Your PTSS Renewal Application: Step-by-Step
Most competing pages explain what the scheme is but never actually walk you through a renewal. This section does. Work through the steps in order and you will avoid the two things that delay most applications: an incomplete medical section and a missing proof-of-identity document.
- Confirm your expiry date. Check the date printed on your current card and cross-check it against your account or the paperwork that came with the card. Diarise a reminder for eight weeks before that date.
- Request the current renewal form. Renewal forms are issued by the Department of Transport, not by taxi operators. Request one through the department’s PTSS contact channel or download the current version from the official PTSS page. Do not reuse an old form, the medical section and declaration wording change between versions.
- Complete your personal details exactly as they appear on your existing card. If your name, address or contact details have changed, complete the change-of-details section rather than overwriting the old details. Mismatched details are a common reason an application is queried.
- Book the medical appointment early. The medical practitioner section must be completed by a practitioner who can speak to your current functional impairment, not just your diagnosis. Allow two to three weeks for an appointment and a further few days for the completed section to be returned to you.
- Gather your supporting information (see the next subsection).
- Submit through the channel the department directs you to use. This is usually the online portal or post to the address printed on the form. Keep a copy of everything you send, including the medical section.
- Record your submission reference. If you submit online you will usually receive a reference number or confirmation email. If you post, send it via a trackable method and keep the receipt.
Documents and supporting information to prepare
Missing documents are the number one cause of delays. Get these ready before you submit.
- Your current PTSS card (or the card number if the card has been lost)
- The completed renewal application form, including the practitioner section
- Medical evidence signed and dated by your practitioner
Ask your practitioner to describe the functional impact in plain terms, for example, difficulty walking to a bus stop, standing for a full trip, or navigating a station unaided. A letter that only restates a diagnosis is more likely to be queried, and each query adds weeks to your wait.
Where and how to submit your renewal
Submit through the same channel the Department of Transport directs you to use. In practice that means one of two routes:
- Online portal. Fastest option, gives you an immediate reference number, and lets you upload scans of your medical section and identity documents. Keep the confirmation email.
- Post. Send to the address printed on the current form. Use a trackable method and send photocopies, never your only original.
Check the Western Australian Department of Transport PTSS page for the current submission options, because these do change. If you are unsure which channel applies to you, call the department’s PTSS contact line before you post anything.
Sending your only copy of a medical certificate by post is a common mistake. If it goes missing, you start again. Photocopy everything and send copies, not originals.
Confirming your renewal was received
Do not assume silence means your application is progressing. Within a week or two of submitting, confirm receipt:
- If you applied online, check for the confirmation email and reference number.
- If you posted, call the department’s PTSS contact line and quote your name, card number and the date you posted the application.
- If you have not heard anything within the timeframe the department advises, follow up rather than waiting.
Keeping a dated record of every contact, who you spoke to, when, and what they said, makes any later query much easier to resolve.
What Happens After You Submit Your Renewal
Once your application lands, the department reviews it. They check your details, your medical evidence, and your ongoing eligibility. Most competing pages stop there.
You will usually get a confirmation that your application was received. Keep that reference number, you will need it for any follow-up.
Processing times vary, so check the official guidance rather than assuming a fixed turnaround.
Here is what to expect at each stage:
| Stage | What Happens | What You Should Do |
|---|---|---|
| Submission | Application received and logged | Save your reference number and the date you submitted |
| Review | Details and medical evidence checked | Watch for requests for more information, including by post |
| Query (if any) | Department asks for missing or unclear information | Respond by the deadline given, delays here are the main cause of slow renewals |
| Decision | Renewal approved or declined | Read the notice carefully; a decline usually states the reason and any review options |
| Card issue | New card posted or activated | Test the card on a short trip before relying on it for a longer journey |
If your card expires before the new one arrives
This is the most common worry, and it is worth planning for. If your card expires before the replacement arrives:
- Call the department’s PTSS contact line and ask about your options. Do not assume you can keep travelling on the old card.
- Ask whether a temporary arrangement or interim confirmation can be issued while the new card is processed.
- Keep a record of the call, including the date, the person you spoke to and any reference number.
If your renewal is declined or queried
A decline is not always final. The notice will usually explain the reason and any review or appeal options. Common reasons include medical evidence that does not address functional impact, a change in circumstances that affects eligibility, or an incomplete form.
If you are queried rather than declined, respond by the deadline given. Missing the deadline is the single most common reason a renewal lapses.
If your replacement card is delayed
If the department confirms your renewal is approved but the card has not arrived:
- Check the postal address on your application, a recent move is a frequent cause of non-delivery.
- Call the department and ask for the card to be reissued or for a replacement to be arranged.
- Ask what you should do in the meantime if you need to travel.
Start your renewal at least four to six weeks before your expiry date, keep a copy of everything you submit, and follow up rather than waiting. That combination is what prevents a gap in your subsidy access.
PTSS SmartRider or Smart Card: Using It and Fixing Problems
The PTSS smart card is the digital replacement for the old paper vouchers. You scan it at the start and end of each subsidised taxi journey.
The card applies your fare subsidy automatically. The subsidy cap is built in, so you pay only your share of the eligible fare.
Common problems, and what to do:
- Card not scanning. Wipe the chip and ask the driver to try again.
- Card declined. Check the card has not expired or been suspended.
- Lost card. Report it and request a card replacement.
Always scan at both the start and the end of the trip. A trip that is not properly closed out can cause billing problems later.
PTSS vs TUSS: What Changed and Why It Matters for Renewals
The Taxi Users Subsidy Scheme, or TUSS, was the older program.
If you are renewing, this matters for one reason: your old TUSS card and vouchers are no longer valid.
The official information on the TUSS to PTSS transition explains the timeline.
The core idea is the same.
The delivery is what changed. Digital card, automatic subsidy, no paper vouchers to lose.
Getting Help with Your Renewal: Carers and Accessibility Needs
A carer or family member can help with the paperwork. That is allowed, and it is common.
If you need assistance, you can:
- Ask a support worker to help complete the form
- Have a carer call the department on your behalf
- Request the form in an accessible format
For the travel side, Universal Cabs runs wheelchair-accessible vehicles across Perth. Our fleet includes sedans, SUVs, and Maxi Taxis, and we keep the same rates day, night, and for airport trips.
That consistency matters when you are budgeting for regular medical appointments. You know what you are paying before you get in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check when my PTSS taxi subsidy expires?
Your PTSS expiry date is printed on your subsidy card and often included in correspondence from the Department of Transport. If you cannot find it, contact the Department of Transport directly or check your online account if you have one. Marking the expiry in your calendar a few months ahead gives you time to gather medical evidence and submit your renewal application before the card stops working.
What documents do I need to renew a PTSS taxi subsidy?
A renewal application typically requires a completed application form, current medical evidence from a medical practitioner confirming your permanent disability or impairment, and proof of identity. If your circumstances or condition have changed, updated supporting information may be requested. Check the Department of Transport’s current requirements before submitting, as document lists can be updated between renewal cycles.
Can I use my PTSS subsidy while my renewal is being processed?
This depends on whether your current card is still within its expiry date when you submit the renewal application. If you lodge your renewal before the expiry date, you may be able to continue using your existing PTSS card while the application is assessed. If the card has already expired, you will generally need to wait until the new card is issued.
What should I do if my PTSS SmartRider or smart card stops working?
If your PTSS card fails during a taxi trip, ask the driver to try the card scan again and check that the card is not damaged or demagnetised. If the problem continues, contact the Department of Transport to request a card replacement. Keep a record of the date and trip where the failure occurred, as this can help resolve any payment processing issues.
Renewing a PTSS card should not be a headache, but the timing and paperwork catch people out every year. If you rely on accessible transport for appointments, the last thing you need is a gap in your card. Universal Cabs supports PTSS passengers with wheelchair-accessible vehicles, 24/7 availability, and transparent pricing that stays the same day or night. Get started with Universal Cabs and keep your appointments on schedule.