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School transport
Primary and high school students—who have a student concession card, or are in school uniform—can use student fares on public transport. Transport assistance schemes exist to help students whose access to a school is impeded by distance, disability or financial disadvantage.
School transport assistance schemes
There are 3 types of transport assistance schemes:
- School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS)—provides help for all students (state and non-state) to cover travel costs to the nearest state school.
- Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS)—provides eligible students attending non-state schools assistance with travel costs.
- School Transport Assistance Program for Students With Disability (SWD)—provides eligible state school students with a disability transport assistance to and from school.
School Transport Assistance Scheme
Four types of assistance are available for students under the School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS):
- rail transport
- bus transport
- conveyance allowance (for parents who, due to distance, must organise private transport to school or to a transport service)
- help for isolated students.
The scheme is provided by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme
The Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS) consists of 2 programs:
- Bus Fare Assistance Program (BFAP)—helps families with bus fare costs where the children attend non-state schools outside the Brisbane City Council boundary.
- Students With Disability (SWD)—helps families with the cost of transporting students with a disability to non-state schools.
This scheme is administered by the Queensland Catholic Education Commission on behalf of all non-state schools.
School Transport Assistance Program for Students With Disability
The School Transport Assistance Program for Students With Disability (SWD) provides eligible state school students with a disability transport assistance to and from the school.
Three types of transport assistance (conditions apply) are considered in an assessment process:
- Conveyance—an allowance paid to parents for privately arranging transport.
- Category 1—passes for public transport (bus/rail/ferry).
- Category 2—specially contracted taxi or minibus services.
The program is provided by the Department of Education.
School Bus Passes & Transport Assistance Scheme
Do you need to apply for a school bus pass.
The Queensland Government’s School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS) provides assistance to enable eligible school students to attend education facilities.
There are two types of assistance available to students travelling on bus services to school:
- Distance based assistance
- Safety-net assistance
Apply for STAS online
- Up to five children
For more information: www.qld.gov.au/schooltransportassistance .
Need help with your application?
FAQs & handy tips to get you started
Once you are familiar with the application process and steps to get you started, you will find the ‘apply now’ button located towards the bottom of the STAS Apply for school transport assistance page.
After you’ve successfully lodged your application online, information will be generated by the Department of Transport and Main Roads to your local CDC office in Kunda Park, Sunshine Coast or Gladstone for processing.
Please note: it is Department of Transport and Main Roads policy that STAS applications for students placed under a Child Protection Order by the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services must be made using the paper application form relevant to the transport assistance . This form can be found once you commence your application online.
How long does my application take to process?
Typically, you can expect your application to be processed within a few weeks however this may take longer during peak demand periods, such as the start of the school year.
It’s a great idea to get your application in early – we suggest lodging at the end of the prior school year if you’d like to avoid delays with the start of year rush.
What happens next?
Once we have processed your application, the Department of Transport and Main Roads will send you a letter advising you of your success, or otherwise.
CDC Sunshine Coast: If successful, your child’s pass will be issued by us and sent to their school for collection.
CDC Gladstone: If successful, your child’s pass can be collected in person from our depot or you may request for the pass to be collected by your child from their bus driver.
Ensure you read the Eligibility Criteria and Terms & Conditions and before applying. Examples of common issues that can cause delays include residing outside the CDC bus services area; residing under the minimum distance threshold; and not possessing or disclosing a valid health care concession card.
What is distance based travel assistance?
Students without a state school in their local area may be eligible for distance-based assistance if:
- their nearest state primary school is more than 3.2km away;
- their nearest state secondary school is more than 4.8km away;
- non-state school students must live the required distance from both the nearest state and non-state school.
What method is used to calculate distance from school to home?
All measurements are by the shortest trafficable route and are based on the nearest school which offers the required year level.
What is safety-net travel assistance?
If students reside too close to their school to qualify for distance-based assistance, they may still be eligible for STAS assistance if they are listed as a dependent on the applicant’s:
- Health Care Card issued by the Department of Human Services (or hold their own Health Care Card)
- Pensioner Concession Card issued by the Department of Human Services or Department of Veterans’ Affairs
- Or if they are under a Child Protection Order by Child Safety Services
Applications must be the name of the cardholder and require evidence of eligibility. The cardholder must also agree to data-matching being performed with the Department of Human Services.
Further questions about the processing of your pass?
Full details of the STAS application process is available through the Department of Transport and Main Roads website.
If you have received a letter stating the outcome of your application, and would like further assistance from your local CDC office, please contact us .
Welcome to the Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS) .
We provide financial assistance for families transporting students to non-state schools in Queensland.
How it Works in 7 Steps - Watch our 2-minute video
- Check your eligibility for either: Bus or Ferry Assistance OR Students With Disability
- Make a note in your calendar to apply here each May 1-31 st (for travel January to June) and October 1-31 st (for travel July to December)
- Pay for transport throughout the semester
- Keep your public transport receipts
- We calculate how much we can pay you
- We pay you by the end of August/ January after you apply
- © Copyright 2024 QCEC
- Frequently Asked Questions
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VIDEO
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Rail transport assistance is available to eligible students who travel on the Queensland Rail Citytrain network or Gold Coast light rail tram network (G:link). To be eligible, students must be listed as a dependent on the applicants: Health Care Card issued by Services Australia (or hold their own Health Care Card)
Three types of transport assistance (conditions apply) are considered in an assessment process: Conveyance—an allowance paid to parents for privately arranging transport. Category 1—passes for public transport (bus/rail/ferry). Category 2—specially contracted taxi or minibus services. The program is provided by the Department of Education.
The Queensland Government provides assistance for eligible students travelling to and from school under the School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS) (PDF). Assistance is available on bus, ferry, train and tram services, as well as for private vehicle travel. General eligibility criteria. All types of STAS assistance require that a student:
It is important to notify the school of any address change and the bus company of any change to travel . patterns. If you don't it may affect your assistance. 3. Distance to nearest school by the shortest trafficable route This information is used to assess eligibility. Assistance will be provided on the designated service for the area.
The School Transport Assistance Scheme is administered by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and provides assistance to eligible students in Queensland state schools. Details of the scheme can be found on the Department of Transport and Main Roads school transport page or phone 13 23 80.
The Queensland Government's School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS) provides assistance to enable eligible school students to attend education facilities. There are two types of assistance available to students travelling on bus services to school: Distance based assistance. Safety-net assistance.
School transport information. Information about school transport operations including policies, information sheets and information statements. Information on the School Transport Assistance Scheme, School Bus Upgrade Scheme and Code of Conduct for School Students Travelling On Buses.
We provide financial assistance for families transporting students to non-state schools in Queensland. How it Works in 7 Steps - Watch our 2-minute video ... Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme ... Make a note in your calendar to apply here each May 1-31 st (for travel January to June) and October 1-31 st (for travel July to December ...
The Department of Education (DoE) offers available school transport assistance between home and school at the start and end of the eligible student's school day. Eligibility criteria (DOCX, 449KB) assesses where the student's disability meets the procedure definition and the impact of the student's disability necessitates assistance.
This package provides increased assistance under the School Transport Assistance Scheme for students in isolated parts of the state. The school transport isolation package consists of the following five components. 1. Class I Conveyance Allowance - Class I is payable for students who live outside the south-east Queensland school transport ...
an allowance which may be paid where you privately arrange for your child to be transport between home and school. Category 1 transport assistance: passes for public transport. Category 2 transport assistance: for specially contracted taxi or minibus services. This may be available if your child is unable to use public transport and you have no ...
The Queensland Government provides funding to eligible Service Providers under the School Bus Upgrade Scheme (SchoolBUS) to assist with the purchase of new buses or buses that are less than five years old. If a Service Provider receives SchoolBUS funding, they enter into a SchoolBUS Agreement with the department.
School Transport Assistance Scheme - Conveyance Committee information booklet, Department of Transport and Main Roads, May 2023 - 1 - Introduction In Queensland approximately 150 000 students travel by bus to and from school each day. Of these students around 30 000 travel on services known as individual kilometre-based school bus services.