Inspectors will conduct two sets of a passenger surveys each year to determine the extent of fare evasion on Canberra's light rail network, government tender documents show.
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The ACT government is seeking a contractor to run ticket checks to gauge the number of passengers getting a free ride on the trams.
Tender documents show the government wants the contractor to conduct two blocks of week-long fare evasion surveys each year from 2019.
The inspectors would survey a "representative sample" of passengers to check whether they had either paid their fare, or had evidence to prove they were entitled to cheaper tickets as students or seniors.
The data from surveyed passengers would then be extrapolated to determine wider fare evasion levels across the network.
Offenders would not be fined as part of the surveys, which would be conducted outside of school holidays and major events, according to the tender documents.
Passengers will use their MyWay card to "tap-on" and "tap-off" the tram.
Ticket prices for the light rail will be the same as Canberra's buses, with $3.14 for adults and $1.57 for concession card holders for single trips.
Transport Canberra announced last year a crackdown on fare evasion on its buses, deploying extra inspectors and introducing fines of $159 for travelling without a current ticket to $207 for providing misleading information of entitlement to a bus ticket concession.
Fare evasion is a key term in the government's contract with tram operator Canberra Metro. The territory is able to reduce its monthly service payments to the consortium if more than 9 per cent of passengers across the network are found to be boarding illegally.
A Transport Canberra spokeswoman would not provide any details on the monthly payment, saying it was commercial in confidence.
The consortium can also be penalised if trams run off-schedule, or it does not meet service standards, including for passenger comfort and and the cleanliness of the vehicles.
Fairfax Media reported last week the government expected Canberra Metro to miss out on the "first few" monthly payments because of delays in getting the trams operating.
Transport Minister Meegan Fitzharris has been unable to set a firm start date for the Civic to Gungahlin line, saying only that it will be up and running in early 2019.
