In Alice Springs and Darwin, there is a cap on the number of licences granted.

As part of the current review of the commercial passenger vehicle (CPV) industry, the Northern Territory (NT) Government has approved to remove this over the next 3 years until 2026.

If there is no further demand or eligible applicants during this period, the cap will be removed.

Otherwise, the cap is scheduled to be removed following the 2026 ballot.

Read more about the CPV review on the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics website.

2023 taxi ballots

Eligible applicants can apply for the 2023 Alice Springs and Darwin taxi licence ballots from Tuesday, 2 January 2024 to 4pm CST on Wednesday, 31 January 2024.

The ballots seek to allocate licences in:

Alice Springs:

•  4 multiple purpose taxis
•  3 standard taxis

Darwin:

• 8 multiple purpose taxis
• 11 standard taxis.
• 
  

Conditions

Applicants are only permitted to enter into one ballot draw and can't submit multiple applications.

The 2023 Alice Springs and Darwin taxi licence ballots will be conducted in a 2 tiered structure, with priority being given to persons who have been active in the taxi industry for 3 or more years.

Priority applicants – tier 1

For applicants who have had experience driving a taxi for a minimum of 3 years.

Applicants must have driven at least 15 days per month for 9 months of every year for a minimum of 3 years.

Subsequent applicants – tier 2

For applicants who have had experience driving a taxi for a minimum of 12 months.

Applicants must have driven at least once a month for 9 months out of the last 12 months.