Uber and other ride-sharing services can operate in SA from July 1, following a review of the taxi and chauffeur vehicle industry.

The state is the third jurisdiction in Australia to legalise ride-sharing services, after NSW and the ACT.

SA Premier Jay Weatherill says it is about more than just raising competition.

“Our reforms deliver a genuine level playing field between taxis, chauffeur vehicles and new entrants such as Uber,” he said. “As only the third Australian jurisdiction to legalise ride-sharing, we are sending a message that SA is open for business.

“The reforms will significantly reduce red tape, deliver more innovative services, better customer service and improved safety and standards across the industry.”

Taxi app ingogo says it is ready to make its mark in SA.

“Great news… we’re happy to announce that ingogo is all systems go in Adelaide,” it says in a Facebook post.

The Weatherill Government made the decision after a three-member panel reviewed the industry, including extensive consultation with the public.

The state has 1035 taxi licences and 102 access cab licences, with about 8 million cab rides annually.

An assistance package, funded by a $1 levy on metropolitan trips across all platforms, has been set up to help current operators absorb the impacts of the new transport regime.

These include a $30,000 payment per taxi licence and a freeze on new licences for at least five years.

The Insurance Council of Australia has cautioned that regulators need to be mindful of the insurance implications if ride-sharing services are legalised.