I am writing to express my concerns about a significant issue affecting the taxi industry in Australia. It has come to my attention that a number of overseas students are working full-time as taxi drivers, despite the regulation that permits them to work only 24 hours per week. This situation is having a detrimental impact on full-time Australian citizen taxi drivers and the industry as a whole.

Firstly, many Australian citizen taxi drivers are suffering because of the increased competition from overseas students who are working beyond the allowed hours. This unfair advantage not only undermines local drivers' ability to earn a fair livelihood but also contributes to an oversupply in the market, leading to reduced earnings for all legitimate drivers.

Furthermore, it has been reported that some of these overseas student drivers are charging passengers more than the meter fare, taking advantage of unsuspecting customers. This practice is not only illegal but also damages the reputation of the taxi industry and erodes trust between drivers and passengers.

To address these issues, I propose that the immigration department conducts regular raids, particularly at major airports, to identify and penalize those who are violating their visa conditions. Such enforcement actions would serve as a deterrent and help restore fairness and integrity in the taxi industry.

By taking these measures, the government can ensure that all drivers are operating on a level playing field and that passengers are treated fairly and charged appropriately. This will ultimately lead to an improvement in the overall standards and reputation of the taxi industry in Australia.

Thank you for considering my concerns. I trust that you will take appropriate action to address this issue promptly.

Special Note: Some networks allowing them to obtain driver id’s illigally and giving easy loans to buy taxis just for their own benefits. This new drivers are safety hazards on the road as well.