About Us
Who We Are – Brisbane Driver Cooperative
We are the Brisbane Driver Cooperative, a community of rideshare drivers united by a common goal: fairness, transparency, and control over our work. Founded by drivers, for drivers, we exist to challenge the exploitative nature of traditional rideshare platforms and create a system that puts drivers first.
Rideshare companies have long profited from drivers while taking little responsibility for fair pay, working conditions, or safety. Government regulations have often added further challenges without truly supporting those behind the wheel. That’s why we’re building something different—a cooperative where drivers own and operate the platform, share in the profits, and have a real say in how it’s run.
Our vision is a future where drivers earn fair wages, have access to better financial security, and operate with dignity and respect. Through our cooperative model, we aim to provide services such as affordable insurance, discounted vehicle maintenance, fuel savings, and financial resources tailored to drivers’ needs.
We are not just a platform—we are a movement. Together, we are reshaping the future of rideshare in Brisbane and beyond.
Join us in driving change….
Great minds say work smarter not harder. You can drive hard. You’ll never make a proper income in a standard 40 hour week driving Uber.
Our mandate
Since Rideshare was introduced to Australia, it is clear that Rideshare Companies have set up their businesses to take no responsibility for their operations or drivers
State and Federal governments’ have followed up together – regulating against drivers’ interests by introducing hurdles and fees that do nothing for us, and by imposing crippling tax obligations on underpaid workers.
Among the issues we face are:
- Continued Poor Pay and Conditions
- Lack of transparency and accountability from rideshare platforms
- Algorithm wage discrimination and control over your life
- Your Personal Safety and Health
- Not having a say or input into how these ride-share apps are operating
Cooperative History:
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Early 2018
Inspired by the international platform cooperative movement, rideshare drivers in Victoria and Queensland begin organizing online through Facebook groups.
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May–June 2018
Face-to-face meetings start in Brisbane and Melbourne, focusing on building a driver-owned platform cooperative and advocating for better working conditions.
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2018–2020
Collaboration with industry groups like the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and Rideshare Drivers Network (RDN) to push for fairer rideshare regulations.
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2021–2022
The TWU secures a deal with the Labor Government for gig worker reforms and a worker rights protection bill. Legal battles continue regarding Uber drivers’ classification as employees.
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Present and Future
The cooperative works towards establishing a sustainable driver-owned platform, offering services like fairer pay, better insurance, vehicle maintenance discounts, and financial support for drivers.