Uber introduces a temporary five-cent-per-kilometre fuel surcharge for non-electric rides in Australia, effective from mid-April through June 8, to offset higher fuel costs.

The surcharge runs until June 8 while Uber monitors fuel prices and broader economic conditions, and it applies to petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles with non-electric trips.

The Transport Workers Union welcomes the surcharge as meaningful relief for drivers facing rising fuel costs and indicates ongoing talks with rideshare platforms for fair pay and conditions.

Competitors have taken similar steps: DoorDash offered a fuel relief program in late March, and UberEats launched a comparable two-month program starting in early April.

Surge revenue from the surcharge goes directly to help cover drivers’ fuel expenses, with per-ride charges for shared Uber Pool trips.

Industry-wide fuel pressures are linked to global oil-market instability, affecting road-based services and essential deliveries that rely on transportation.

Uber frames the surcharge as a response to the current fuel crisis and notes that customers understand the need to support driver earnings during high fuel costs.

This surcharge follows a March-wide fare hike, including higher minimums and steeper inner-suburban costs, as part of Uber’s broader driver-earnings push.

The policy adds five cents per kilometre on top of the March fare increase to bolster driver earnings amid fuel costs.

DiDi has already implemented a similar fuel surcharge, and Uber continues to work with the TWU on addressing rising costs.

TWU national secretary cites drivers spending an extra $40–$50 per fueling stop and views the surcharge as meaningful relief.

The move is part of broader efforts following a six percent March fare rise and aligns Uber with the TWU to support drivers.