Overview for parents or carers
As a parent or carer, you have responsibility for arranging suitable transport for your child between school and home. If you are experiencing challenges in managing this for your child with a disability, you are able to request an assessment be made to determine eligibility for transport assistance. This assessment 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. Two eligibility criteria are considered regarding your childs' disability and school enrolment. Where this criteria is met, further information about your child's ability to travel independently between school and home and your capacity to provide transport for your child may also be considered.
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 one of 3 types of assistance:
Conveyance:
- 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 means to privately convey your child to school. There are limitations on contract transport and the school transport assessor will explain these to you.
The school transport assessor makes a recommendation and this recommendation will be approved by the Principal Advisor, Education Services or their delegate at the local Department of Education (DoE) regional office.
If approved, DoE staff liaise with Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) about the availability of appropriate transport. It is not always possible to arrange this transport, especially in some rural areas where there are limited contract vehicles available. If there are difficulties finding an available vehicle, staff at the DoE or TMR regional office will work with you to explore possible solutions.
When applying for transport assistance, you are provided with information about your responsibilities (DOCX, 332KB) as a parent with a child approved for transport assistance. Please be aware of your responsibilities as they may impact on transport arrangements to be made.