Using your vehicle for work

In the course of your employment you may be asked to use your vehicle from time to time to transport people or equipment to various locations. This is a huge topic and I would urge you to consider seriously the financial, legal and potential reputational risks associated with this if something went wrong. As a rule of thumb: I wouldn’t recommend that you ever transport clients in your car.

If you do use your car, the MINIMUM amount you should be reimbursed for the usage of the vehicle can be found on the ATO website[1]. Some Awards provide for specific payments relating to the use of vehicles in the course of work.

Whatever you do, make sure you get the agreement in writing before using your car, including who pays for what if something was to happen (to people or property).

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There are a (still) a large number of employers who ask their employees to drive their cars for work. 

If you are driving your personal car for work, do you know who pays if there is an accident? (Who pays for the insurance excess? Who pays for the repairs to your car?)

I would strongly recommend that if you don't have the answer to these questions in writing then you say "no thanks."

It's one thing to drive TO work, but it's another entirely to drive FOR work.

Things to consider:

 - fair work act (getting paid for using your vehicle)

 - WHS Act (staying safe when using your vehicle)

 - and who is liable/responsible for costs if there is an incident.

If you have questions or concerns then have a polite conversation with your employer. If they can't (or won't) provide a good answer then perhaps seek further advice.

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Also please note: public passenger regulations vary widely in each state/ territory!