Free school bus services are set up under a set of guidelines to ensure that a fair and equitable service is available. It is the policy of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) that a parent may choose to send their children to a school of their choice.  Free bus travel is provided only to the nearest appropriate school.   Furthermore, free bus travel is provided only when a student resides 4.8 kilometres or more from the school (front gate to front gate).

How do I know if my children are eligible?

Under normal circumstances government school students in years Prep to 10 will be eligible for bus transport only to their nearest school.  For students in years 11 and 12 access to comprehensive curriculum may be considered to determine the nearest appropriate school.

Non-government school students will be granted permission to travel to the nearest registered school of the appropriate denomination offering a program at that level.

The Principal of the Bus Coordinating School is responsible for coordinating all applications for permission to travel on a school bus service, including students attending both state and registered schools.

It is recognised there will be circumstances that warrant special consideration where a student does not meet the rules for eligibility to travel.  In such cases the parent must seek the approval of the Regional Director, to travel on the school bus service.  If the approval is given such students would be treated as ‘eligible’ in future decisions about that bus service.

What if my children are not eligible for free bus travel? 

The current policy is that spare capacity on a school bus can be used for farepaying passengers. Permission to travel is subject to stringent conditions including the requirement of parents to make alternative arrangements if at any stage there is insufficient capacity on the relevant bus.

Thus, arrangements for farepayers can only be made on a term-to-term basis. Final approval to travel is only granted when the appropriate documentation is completed and fares for the next term have been paid.

Fares are determined by the Department of Infrastructure and start from $85 to $228 per term, depending on the distance travelled.

How do I arrange school bus travel for my children?

1. Contact the Bus Coordinator at the relevant coordinating school to determine if your child is eligible for free transport on the school bus. Contact the Regional Office (03) 5761 2100 if you are not sure of the bus coordinating school in your area. (Yarrawonga College P-12 is the coordinating school for the Yarrawonga area, telephone 03 5744 1751 – Mr Ross Wilson).
2. If your child is eligible, complete an ‘Application to Travel’ form, available from the school. Your child will then be allocated a seat on the relevant school bus.
3. If your child is not eligible for free bus travel you will need to check with the school bus coordinator
        If there are seats available on the relevant bus.
        The cost of the fare for travel on that bus.
4. Then, once an ‘Application for Travel as a Farepayer’ form has been completed and the fare for the next term has    been   paid, your child will be allocated a seat on the relevant bus for the next school term.

For further information contact:

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (Hume Region)
PO Box 403 (Arundel Street)
Benalla   3672
p:  (03) 5761 2100
e:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
w:  http://www.education.vic.gov.au/aboutschool/lifeatschool/traveltoschool.htm#2