Australia’s best and worst rated cities for rideshare passengers revealed
Uber’s annual rider ratings ranking has arrived with Australia’s passenger etiquette put under the microscopeUber rider ratings have become a cultural phenomenon in recent years, showing up in conversations at parties, during office chit-chat, and even in online dating profiles. Uber has revealed the 2024 rankings of which Australian cities and states behave better when they get from A to B in the passenger seat.
The national average Australian rider rating for 2024 is 4.82 out of 5 stars, which is on par for 2023 and 2022.
Newcastle, NSW is the star student, topping the charts as the city with the nicest passengers for another year. With an impressive average rider rating of 4.89 out of 5 stars, Novocastrians have clearly mastered the art of polite pickups and pleasant drop-offs.
Trailing closely behind are Cairns (4.88), Wollongong (4.87), and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts (both 4.87). Those living outside the main capitals are quite clearly the more polite passenger types. Darwin, Hobart, and Geelong all tied with 4.83, suggesting a mix of laid-back charm and more country-style hospitality for riders in those cities.
Meanwhile, Perth takes home the unenviable title of “naughtiest” city with an average rating of 4.79—a position it’s held since 2023. Melbournians weren’t that much better, with an average rating of 4.80 trailing behind arch-rival Sydney who clocked up an average of 4.84 out of 5 stars.
When it comes to the state vs state picture, New South Wales leads the pack as the best-behaved state, with an average rider rating of 4.84, climbing from second place last year. Queensland, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory all tied for second with 4.83.
At the other end, Victoria came in just under the national average with 4.80, leaving room for improvement. While Western Australia trails at the bottom with 4.79.
Average Uber rider rating in metro areas
Newcastle – 4.89
Cairns – 4.88
Wollongong – 4.87
Gold Coast – 4.87
Sunshine Coast – 4.86
Sydney – 4.84
Darwin – 4.83
Hobart – 4.83
Geelong – 4.83
Adelaide – 4.82
Launceston – 4.82
Brisbane – 4.82
Canberra – 4.81
Melbourne – 4.80
Perth – 4.79
Average Uber rider rating per state
NSW – 4.84
NT – 4.83
QLD – 4.83
TAS – 4.83
SA – 4.82
ACT – 4.81
VIC – 4.80
WA – 4.79
For those interested in checking their own Uber Rider Rating, open the app and tap Account. Your star rating will be shown in the top left corner of the screen.
You can even see more details about your profile including how many times you’ve earned a perfect 5-star rating from drivers. Just head to the settings menu, tap Privacy and then Privacy Centre and select “See summary” of the “Would you like to see a summary of how you use Uber?” tile. Rider ratings are based on your last 500 trips.
Uber drivers have shared their top tips on how we can get a better rider rating:
- Be ready on time – Be ready when your driver arrives, and make sure the pick-up location you entered is where you’ll be
- Be polite – A simple “hello” or “thank you” can make a world of difference
- Keep it clean – Make sure you take your rubbish and belongings with you to help keep the car clean for the next rider to enjoy and try to refrain from eating and drinking en route
- Mind the doors – Door slams are frequently cited as the reason for deducted stars
- Spread good vibes – Respect your driver and their vehicle—it’s a two-way street
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