What Is Uber Black in Australia?

If you’re driving with Uber or considering moving into higher-paying categories, you’ve probably asked the question: what is Uber Black, and is it worth it in Australia?

Uber Black is Uber’s most premium rideshare category, designed for high-end vehicles, professional drivers, and riders willing to pay more for comfort and service. In Australia, Uber Black replaced the former Uber Premier category, continuing to offer higher fares and a more refined driving experience.

This guide explains what Uber Black is in Australia, which cars qualify, how much more drivers can earn, and whether Uber Black is actually profitable for Australian drivers.

What is Uber Black?

Uber Black is Uber’s premium service tier, matching riders with top-rated drivers in luxury vehicles for a higher price point. Riders commonly choose Uber Black for business travel, airport transfers, or special occasions. Uber’s own service description emphasises the premium positioning and higher pricing of this category.

• Higher base fares than standard rides like UberX

• Premium vehicle standards

• Business travellers and corporate riders

• Fewer trips but higher value per ride

What cars (and drivers) qualify for Uber Black in Australia?

To qualify for Uber Black, Uber sets specific vehicle, driver, and documentation requirements.

Uber Black Vehicle Requirements

To be eligible for Uber Black, a vehicle must:

• Be a specific make and model approved by Uber for Uber Black (Uber maintains an eligible vehicle list that varies by city, visit Eligible Vehicles on the Uber website for more information)

• Have a black exterior with a black leather or vegan leather interior

• Meet Uber’s vehicle age limits (typically recent model years, vehicle must not be older than 5 years)

• Be in excellent cosmetic and mechanical condition, with working air conditioning and no visible damage

Driver rating requirements

Uber Black drivers must maintain a minimum average rating of 4.85 stars, calculated across their most recent rated trips. This higher rating threshold reflects the premium service expectations of Uber Black riders.

Insurance and documentation

In addition to vehicle and rating standards, Uber Black drivers must:

• Hold commercial vehicle insurance, not just standard personal cover

• Meet any local livery or commercial permit requirements, depending on state or city regulations

Together, these requirements mean that qualifying for Uber Black involves the right car, consistent service quality, and the correct legal setup.

Uber Black–eligible vehicles available with Splend

While Uber Black eligibility varies by city and is ultimately set by Uber, several vehicles available through Splend are commonly used by Australian drivers to meet Uber Black standards:

Volvo XC60 Plus

A premium SUV offering strong passenger comfort, higher ride height, and excellent suitability for airport and corporate trips

Volvo XC60 Plus, eligible for Uber Black, Uber Comfort and Uber X

Lexus ES 300h Luxury

A hybrid sedan known for quiet performance, smooth ride quality, and lower fuel costs.

Lexus ES 300h Luxury, eligible for Uber Black, Uber Comfort and Uber X

BMW i5 eDrive40

A fully electric luxury sedan that combines premium positioning with significantly reduced running costs.

BMW i5 eDrive40, Eligible for Uber Black, Uber Comfort Electric, Uber Comfort, Uber Electric and Uber X

These vehicles meet Uber Black expectations while giving drivers flexibility across petrol-hybrid and fully electric options.

How much does Uber Black pay drivers in Australia?

Uber does not publish category-specific earnings for Australia. However, Uber confirms that Uber Black is priced higher than standard categories because of stricter vehicle and service standards. Independent rideshare earnings research also shows that premium categories typically earn more per trip than standard services.

To make this clearer, the table below compares indicative gross earnings for UberX and Uber Black. These figures are before expenses and will vary depending on city, hours driven, demand, and vehicle running costs.

^{*Indicative earnings are based on: Australian Uber driver average earnings reported by Finder (mixed categories), Independent premium-category earnings analysis from Ridester, Uber’s confirmation that Uber Black trips are premium-priced compared to UberX}

What this comparison highlights is that Uber Black is designed around earning more per trip rather than completing more trips. Airport transfers, CBD travel, and business bookings are where the earnings difference between UberX and Uber Black is most noticeable.

Rather than focusing on volume, Uber Black tends to reward drivers who prioritise fewer, higher-value trips, especially during peak business hours and weekends.

Is Uber Black profitable in Australia?

The short answer is: it can be, but it is not automatic.

Uber Black profitability comes from combining premium fares with the right cost structure and driving strategy. Drivers who treat Uber Black like UberX, driving long hours without targeting premium demand, often see weaker results. Drivers who tend to perform best in Uber Black usually:

• Target airport transfers, hotels, and CBD demand

• Drive during business hours and peak travel windows

• Choose vehicles with lower fuel or charging costs relative to fare size

When these factors align, Uber Black can deliver stronger net earnings than standard categories. Without them, higher vehicle costs can quickly reduce margins.

What are the benefits of driving Uber Black?

Once drivers understand how Uber Black earns, the next question is whether the experience itself is different. For most drivers, the benefits of Uber Black are less about volume and more about trip quality, predictability, and positioning.

• More predictable trips – Uber Black demand is concentrated around airports, CBDs, hotels and business travel, making it easier to plan driving hours

• Higher‑intent riders – Passengers booking Uber Black are usually paying for a specific experience, which often leads to smoother trips and clearer expectations

• Better fit for premium vehicles – Uber Black allows drivers to properly utilise higher‑spec vehicles instead of absorbing luxury‑car costs on standard fares

• Stronger tipping behaviour – While never guaranteed, premium riders are generally more likely to tip than standard rideshare users

For drivers who prefer fewer trips with clearer expectations, Uber Black offers a more professional style of rideshare driving.

Can you upgrade from UberX to Uber Black?

Yes , but only if you meet Uber’s stricter requirements. To move from UberX to Uber Black, drivers must:

• Access an Uber Black–eligible vehicle

• Maintain a minimum 4.85 driver rating

• Hold commercial insurance and required permits

For drivers already active on UberX or Uber Comfort, upgrading usually comes down to accessing the right vehicle and adjusting driving strategy toward premium trips.

Uber Black vs Uber Premier: what’s the difference?

Uber Premier was the original premium category in Australia. The transition to Uber Black:

• Aligned Australia with Uber’s global premium branding

• Maintained similar vehicle and service standards

If you previously drove Uber Premier, Uber Black operates in much the same way, just under a globally recognised name.

Is Uber Black worth it?

Uber Black is not designed for every driver, and that’s intentional. It tends to suit drivers who:

• Already have strong ratings and consistent driving history

• Prefer earning more per trip instead of maximising trip count

• Are comfortable meeting higher presentation and service standards

• Want a more professional, structured rideshare experience

For drivers who meet the requirements and drive strategically, Uber Black can be one of the most rewarding Uber categories available in Australia.

For others, categories like Uber Comfort or UberX may offer a better balance between accessibility and earnings.