The School Student Transport Scheme - Eligibility

To be eligible for the free travel an applicant must be a resident of NSW aged 4 years and 6 months or older and enrolled as one of the following:

• an infant student (K-2) regardless of the distance between their home and school
• a primary student (Years 3-6) who lives more than 1.6 kms (radial distance) from school, or 2.3 kms or more by the most direct practical walking route to the nearest entry point to the school
• a secondary student (Year 7-12) who lives more than 2 kms (radial distance) from school, or 2.9 kms or more by the most direct practical walking route to the nearest entry point to the school
• a TAFE student under 18 years of age at 1st January of the year of application who is:
  • enrolled in a full-time TAFE course for a minimum of 20 hours over at least four days per week
  • not employed
    
  • living more than 3.2 kms from the college by the most direct practical walking route and
    
  • attending the college closest to their home where enrolment is available.

The Scheme can only be used for travel between home and school. It does not extend to activities such as school excursions, sports and work experience or attendance at joint secondary/TAFE programs, multi-campus high schools, Saturday schools, pre-schools, mini-schools (except for full-time geographically isolated distance education students), before and after school care or child minding premises.

How to apply

1. Application forms are available from the school or TAFE and must be completed and signed by a parent or guardian. TAFE students can complete and sign their own forms.
2. The completed application form(s) should be returned to the school or TAFE, which will verify that the student is enrolled. Schools also do an initial check on the student's eligibility on radial distance grounds.
3. The school will forward the application form(s) to Hillsbus, who will assess whether the student meets the distance eligibility criteria.
4. If eligible, Hillsbus will issue the student with a pass, which indicates that it is solely for travel under the Scheme.

A new application must be completed when a student: enrols in kindergarten progresses from Year 2 to be an eligible student in Year 3 progresses from Year 6 to Year 7 changes name, school and/or address.

Unsuccessful applications

Parents or guardians can reapply if they are advised that a student is ineligible for the Scheme. They should apply in writing to the nearest Transport NSW Contracts and Compliance Office setting out the reasons why the student should have access to the Scheme. These may include safety or medical issues.

If the application is also rejected by the Contracts and Compliance Office, and the parents or guardians believe there are special circumstances that should be taken into account (such as safety or hardship issues), they can appeal. The Contracts and Compliance Office will provide information at the time of rejection on how to appeal the decision.

Purchase a DISCOUNTED Term or Semester Bus Pass

Students who are not eligible for free travel can purchase a Term or Semester Bus Pass. Please call the school student transport department on 9890 0000, to find out the cost. All passes are discounted by 10% off the normal fare.

Click here for APPLICATION FOR THE PURCHASE OF SCHOOL SEMESTER TRAVEL PASS (For students who are NOT eligible for free travel under SSTS)

Student responsibilities

When completing an application for subsidised travel under the Scheme, parents and guardians acknowledge that students have been made aware of the Code of Conduct.