15,000 Jobs, 1,000,000 Riders

In February our Chief Advisor, David Plouffe, announced that Uber was committed to partnering with governments around Australia to create 20,000 new jobs in 2015.

It’s been six months since we made that commitment and we’re already well on the way to making our vision a reality, with more than 15,000 Australian driver-partners now enjoying flexible, well paid opportunities through the uberX platform.

In fact, across our major metro hubs more than 45% of driver-partners come from postcodes with high rates of unemployment.

In Brisbane and the Gold Coast 52% of partners come from the 20 postcodes with the highest rates of unemployment.

In Melbourne ridesharing is providing much needed economic opportunities to residents suffering from unemployment, particularly those affected by the declining manufacturing and automotive industries.

In Perth 27% of uberX driver-partners come from the 20 postcodes with the highest rates of unemployment such as Gosnells, Girrahween and Hamilton Hill.

In Sydney flexible economic opportunities have provided a new source of income for residents of the 30 postcodes with Sydney’s highest rates of unemployment including Lakemba, Bankstown, Parramatta and Auburn.

Our ridesharing platform has changed the way people earn a living, giving Aussies the chance to choose when they work, to set their own schedules, and to make decisions about their hours that fit into other work or family commitments.

Many uberX driver-partners use the platform as a temporary source of income to help achieve short-term financial goals. These include driver-partners saving for a wedding or holiday, those supporting loved ones through studies or simply people who want to increase their disposable income during the summer break.

From full time to intermittent, single mother to uni student, newly-weds to career-changer, our driver-partners come from a broad range of backgrounds, unified by their desire to earn a well paid, flexible income that provides a better life for themselves and their families.

“I’m a single mum with a 13 year old boy. I had a 20 year career as an Auto Electrician in the mining industry. Last year I decided it was time for a major change and I’m now studying a Bachelor of Nursing.

“Uber is a great way to be earning money without long shifts and if you have children and something comes up, you can simply log off. Plus as women I have never felt unsafe or in danger. Riders are always excited to have female drivers.” – Debra, Brisbane

“I’m a full-time employee of a 4 days on and 4 days off job on a 12 hours rotating shift. It was hard for me to continue this kind of job while running my own family, and at the same time running my own charitable institution. Partnering with Uber has allowed me to create a balance between my family and managing my charitable institution.

“Uber has made my life much easier than it was before. And the financial needs of our orphanage in India are now being provided for months through my earnings. Uber is helping a lot in my world.” – Rosel, Sydney

“My husband and I are both joined uberX to save some extra cash for our wedding. We’re now happily married and we couldn’t have done it without Uber and the amazing riders who use the app.

“We’re now both continuing to drive on the platform to save up for our next big milestone – our first family home! I think the best thing about Uber is it doesn’t feel like work. All the riders are so friendly it’s just like you are giving your friends a lift. And it’s just a great way to earn some extra money in your spare time.” – Amanda, Brisbane

uberX is extending economic opportunities to underserved communities including veterans, out-of-work seniors and retirees, and the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Our data shows that nearly one in ten uberX driver-partners are military veterans; 12% of driver-partners are aged over 55; while recent updates to the Uber app have provided new income-earning opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing Australians who currently face unemployment rates 2-4 times higher than the national average.

“Having served in the military for 10 years, with assignments ranging from overseas deployments whilst employed as a Flight Attendant to Prime Ministers to humanitarian aid missions for such disasters as the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami in Indonesia and the Pakistani Earthquakes the following year, my duties and travels took me around the world. I resigned from the RAAF in 2010.

“I didn’t have an immediate career in mind and found the past 5 years increasingly hard to find permanent satisfying work. I started using Uber as a rider and one day had an epiphany that uberX could be the perfect way to get back into a routine & on my feet. Since I joined this year, I haven’t looked back. I love the flexibility of being my own boss, while having the opportunity to earn a decent income.”– Clint, Sydney.

“I’ve been an uberX driver-­partner for just over a year. Right from the first time I walked in the door of Uber’s partner centre, I was told that it didn’t matter that I was deaf, I could still do the job. Since then, I’ve completed over two thousand trips and never looked back.

“I like that I can work at anytime, it’s great to have such flexibility and freedom as it allows me to really enjoy my work and life balance. I love every minute. Being my own boss and being financially secure are important to me.” – Peter, Melbourne

“My 20-year-old son suggested becoming an Uber partner, and after being in the business of office fit-outs for a very long time, I can tell you I had never contemplated it. But to my surprise joining the uberX platform is the best decision I’ve ever made.

“I love the flexibility of being my own boss. Being able to have a coffee when I want and having the option to take a week off here and there. I really can’t imagine what I’d be doing in retirement if Uber hadn’t come along.” – Albert, Sydney

Of course, the ever growing number of driver-partners on the uberX platform is a reflection of the incredible way in which Australians have embraced ridesharing, with over one million now choosing Uber to get around their cities!

Thank you for your continued support – your choices are making a difference.

Uber on Australia!