School Buses

Bus Pass

Student’s who wish to travel on the bus as a one off, need to have a bus pass to travel. A note from their parent/carer stating the date,  reason for travel, destination and name, needs to provided to the bus co-ordinator or office. Times they can be applied for are: before school, recess and lunch. A bus pass is only valid if there is room on the bus.

FAQ's

1. Who can travel on a school bus?

The general rule is that students living 4.8 km or more from, and attending their nearest appropriate school/campus, are eligible to travel on a school bus service at no cost. Students not attending their nearest school/campus may access a school bus subject to seating capacity and upon payment of a fare. 

2. How do I apply for my child to catch the school bus? 

The bus coordinator at your child’s school will provide you with the appropriate school bus application form for you to fill out and sign. Attached to the application form are the conditions under which your child will be transported. Parents/guardians and students must sign agreeing to those conditions of travel. The bus coordinator will process your application and advise you of the outcome in a timely manner. 

3. Can my child continue to travel on the school bus if we move house during the year? 

A change of address automatically triggers a reassessment of your child’s eligibility and requires parents/guardians to submit a new permission to travel application form. The change of address may mean your child is still eligible but is required to change bus services or needs to be picked up and dropped off at a different stop. Conversely, the move may see your child residing within 4.8 km of the school or no longer attending their closest school. The bus coordinator at your child’s school will be able to assist you. 

4. I have been told that my child can only catch a school bus to their nearest school. Why can’t I send my child to another school? Parents/guardians are free to send their child to any school at which they can be accommodated. However, under the School Bus Program’s policy, only students living 4.8 km or more and attending their nearest government or appropriate nongovernment school are eligible to travel at no cost. Students attending their next nearest school may be eligible to travel on a school bus service subject to seating capacity and upon payment of a fare.

 5. What if a school bus stops at my front gate but the bus to my closest school is further away? Can my child get the bus outside our gate? 

If the bus that stops at your front gate travels to a school other than your nearest, your child may be able to travel on it, subject to seating capacity and upon payment of a fare. If the bus service to your nearest government school is more than 4.8 km away from your home, then your child may seek an exemption to travel at no cost to your next nearest government school (this exemption is only applicable to government school students).