Transport assistance for students with disability

​​Overview for parents and carers

The Department of Education recognises that some parents and carers may experience challenges in arranging suitable transport between school and home for their child with a disability. In these situations, parents and carers are able to request an assessment to determine eligibility for transport assistance.

The assessment for transport assistance is completed at the school, by a trained school transport assessor. To be eligible, a student must have a disability that necessitates the provision of transport assistance and must be attending their nearest school or nearest special school, where relevant. Where these criteria are met, further information about your child's ability to travel independently between school and home and your capacity to provide transport for your child will be considered to determine the appropriate type of transport assistance.

The school transport assessor will explain the assessment process to you.

If your child is eligible for transport assistance, the school transport assessor will recommend 1 of 3 types of assistance:

Conveyance:

• an allowance paid to assist with the cost of privately arranged transport for your child between home and school.

Category 1 transport assistance:

• passes for public transport.
  

Category 2 transport assistance:

• arrangement of specially contracted taxi or minibus services. This may be recommended where a student is unable to travel independently or there are family circumstances that require consideration.

Following the assessment, the school transport assessor will make a recommendation regarding the type of transport assistance to be offered. This recommendation will then be considered for approval by the Principal Education Officer, Student Services (PEOSS) at the local Department of Education regional office.