School Bus Passes

For many years the state government has provided assistance with school transport costs for eligible students in certain circumstances. This assistance is provided under the School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS), which recognises the needs of students in areas with limited student populations where facilities cannot be justified. It is in these areas that school transport assistance is provided to enable students to attend education facilities.

How to apply for Assistance with Mt Gravatt Coach and Travel

Applying is simple...

Use the following link to apply online. (If the link is not working please copy and paste into your web address bar.)

If successful, you will receive a School Bus Pass for your child to use whilst travelling on a School Service.

https://stas.forms.tmr.qld.gov.au/content/forms/af/TranslinkForms/STASApplication/STASApplication.html

School Travel Assistance Scheme Overview 

DISTANCE BASED SCHOOL BUS SERVICE

Students who meet conditions of the scheme are eligible to receive transport assistance on their designated bus service. This travel will normally be to their nearest school however in some areas a designated bus service may transport students to other than their nearest school. If an eligible student wishes to travel beyond their nearest school, they are able to do so provided that room exists on the bus service. This travel is a private arrangement between the parent/guardian and the bus operator. An appropriate fare for the journey is paid direct to the bus operator.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for distance based assistance:

• primary school students must live more than 3.2 km from the nearest state primary school

• secondary school students must live more than 4.8 km from the nearest state secondary school

• non-state school students must live more than the required distances from both the nearest state and non-state school of the type attended

• Students must also meet the general conditions of the scheme.

SAFETY-NET ASSISTANCE

Safety-net bus travel assistance is available for financially disadvantaged students who live close to their nearest school. It is available to students travelling on either kilometre-based or fares-based school bus services. To be eligible for safety-net assistance, students must meet the distance criteria and be listed as a dependant on the applicant's:

• Health Care Card issued by Centrelink

• Pensioner Concession Card issued by Centrelink

• Department of Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card.

Students who have a card issued in their own name, as well as students under a Care and Protection order issued by the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, may also qualify for safety-net assistance.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for safety net assistance:

• primary school students must live 3.2 km or less from the nearest state primary school

• secondary school students must live 4.8 km or less from the nearest state secondary school

• non-state school students must live the required distances or less from either the nearest state or non-state school of the type attended

• Students must also meet the general conditions of the scheme.

• The student must not be in receipt of any other School Transport Assistance Scheme assistance.

• Applications must be in the name of the cardholder and require evidence of eligibility under safety-net guidelines.

• The cardholder must sign a certification allowing data matching to occur with Centrelink. Applicants who do not agree to this condition will not be eligible to receive safety-net assistance.

Want more information?

The policy of the School Transport Assistance Scheme is contained in the following document available for download:

School Transport Assistance Scheme