Apply for school transport assistance (2023)

A little preparation before you start your application will make filling out the online form a straightforward activity. We recommend you:

• watch the applying online for school transport assistance animation for an overview of the application process and some useful tips to help you
• find out the type of assistance available to apply for online
• read the terms and conditions and make sure you are eligible to apply.

When ready find how to apply online.

If you don't have access to the internet or a computer check with your school or local library for access or you can complete a paper application for the type of assistance needed.

Overview of the application process

Types of assistance available in the online application

You can apply online for the following types of assistance:

• Bus and ferry transport (including Safety-net)
• Rail transport (including G:Link)
• Private transport (conveyance allowance)
• Drought (additional conveyance allowance)

The following types of assistance aren't available online:

• Students with disability—find out more about applying
• Assistance for English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) students—contact your school to apply
• Year 10 bypass—contact your local Translink office for further information.

Eligibility

Students may be eligible for school transport assistance if they:

• have parents/guardians who are residents of Queensland
• are independent students who are residents of Queensland
• attend an approved school or an alternative program approved by the Queensland Department of Education
• are younger than 19 years of age prior to commencing secondary study
• are seeking transport assistance from one residential address and to one school facility
  • this address must be the principal place of residence of the student’s parent or guardian
  • for students with shared custody, parents must select one address to be used to assess STAS eligibility. For shared custody arrangements, the principal place of residence of only one parent/guardian can be nominated. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to determine the principal place of residence used to assess eligibility for STAS.
• are travelling more than 1 trip per week.

Students are not eligible to apply for school transport assistance if they are:

• pre-prep and kindergarten students
• mature age students
• overseas, interstate and exchange students
• TAFE students
• distance education students
• tertiary students.

Before you apply online

You can apply online for assistance for different modes of transport including train, bus, ferry, private transport, and travel with multiple school transport operators.

Before you start your online application:

• Collect the relevant information you need, such as:
  • watch the applying online for school transport assistance animation
  • read the terms and conditions and eligibility
  • Centrelink Pension, Healthcare or Department of Veterans Affairs concession card details for yourself and student/s (if applying for safety-net assistance)
  • your bank account details including BSB, account number and name, and bank address (if applying for private transport assistance)
  • electronic document files to support claims for drought assistance and independent student status.
• Work out the distance from your residence to the closest state school and attending school (if this is different to the closest state school).
• Confirm the school transport operator/s if your child is travelling by bus or ferry.
• During the application you will be asked to confirm you have read and understood the terms and conditions and eligibility requirements detailed on this page and the introduction to the online application. Penalties may apply for false information.

Your application:

• You can save a draft of your application for a maximum of 7 days.
  • Keep a record of application ID and PIN to retrieve your application.
  • After 7 days your application will be discarded, and you will need to start a new application.
• You can enter details for up to 5 children—a new online application is required for additional children.
• You can apply for up to 2 bus and ferry operators per child on the same application form—a third operator will need a new application form.
• You will need to fill out a new application if you have changes to the following:
  • residential address
  • school
  • mode of transport
  • frequency of travel
  • or move from primary to secondary school.
• Your bus operator can let you know pick up and drop off points and times for the transport journey
• The ability to print a completed application is not available on Apple mobile devices.

Apply online

Save and retrieve an application

You can save, exit and retrieve your application form to return and complete it at a later time.

Make sure you keep the following information to retrieve a saved application:

• application ID
• secure PIN
• email you used in the application
• surname of the applicant.

After you submit an application

You will receive confirmation of submission of your application by SMS or email, using the details you provided in the online form.

Your application will be assessed:

• Successful notifications will be advised in writing by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
• Unsuccessful applications will be advised by the school transport operator nominated in the application.

More information and help with your application

Your school transport operator will also be able to provide you with information, contact your nearest school transport office.

If you are experiencing technical problems with the online form you can email STASdigital.Helpdesk@tmr.qld.gov.au or phone the help desk on 1300 119 289.

Paper forms can be accessed on the Translink website, under the heading Types of assistance.