[NSW] School & TAFE Drive Subsidy $0.74/km (Minimum Distance Applies) for Area with Limited Public Transport @ Transport for NSW

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easternculture on 21/02/2025 - 22:49 transportnsw.info (453 clicks)
Last edited 21/02/2025 - 23:09 by 1 other user

Just found about this today and applied for it.
Basically they pay you $0.74 per km to drive your kids to school for areas with no or limited public transport.

Distance requirements

Kindergarten to Year 6

• The distance to school exceeds 1.6 km (straight line distance) or is at least 2.3 km walking distance, and
• The distance to the nearest transport pick up point (where available) exceeds 1.6 km (straight line distance) or is at least 2.3 km walking distance.

Year 7 to Year 12

• The distance to school exceeds 2 km (straight line distance) or 2.9 km walking distance, and
• The distance to the nearest transport pick up point (where available) exceeds 2 km (straight line distance) or is at least 2.9 km walking distance.

TAFE students

• The distance to the nearest transport pick up point (where available) exceeds 2 km (straight line distance) or is at least 2.9 km walking distance.

Eligible students

• be a resident of NSW, or an overseas student eligible for free government education.
• be aged 4 years 6 months or older and enrolled full-time in school or TAFE (pre-school children are not eligible).
• live in an area where there is limited or no public transport.
• live more than the minimum distance to school (the minimum distance varies according to the year or grade the child is enrolled in).

Related Stores

Transport for NSW

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  blitzn on 22/02/2025 - 04:31

  So if there is a bus within the 1.6km but doesnt go that route am i still eligible.

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    mysterytal on 22/02/2025 - 07:50

    Does the bus route go somewhere else where a person can change buses to get to the destination? There usually is a way for a student to get to school by public transport by using multiple buses/trams/trains etc.

    It will take significantly longer than driving but there is no reference to time taken.

  • 

    deeevan on 22/02/2025 - 07:59

    When transport services are available, Transport for NSW cannot consider the following:

    • Perceptions of personal safety in relation to walking routes or transport modes or while waiting at bus stops or rail stations, as these factors are outside the scope of the scheme.
    • The School Drive Subsidy cannot be provided as an option instead of subsidised travel on public transport. When determining the suitability of existing public transport services, we cannot take into consideration personal convenience, the length of the journey or the age of the student.

    They may be eligible to catch however many buses it takes to get to school for free though:
    https://transportnsw.info/school-travel-apply

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  mskeggs on 22/02/2025 - 08:16

  This is designed for rural families. I suppose there could be some outer metro people too, but 2km is a pretty long way not to find a bus stop. I know lots of people who live in “the country” but I don’t think any of them would be far enough from the main road with bus service.

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    easternculture on 22/02/2025 - 14:16

    I live in greenacre but the area i am is a long way to the bus stop and train station. The school is 2km away driving so i should be able to claim 20km per week = $15 which is my average weekly petrol spend.

    If i get approved, free petrol approx 9 months a year. Might then buy a new petrol car and delay buying an EV

    • 

      mysterytal on 22/02/2025 - 15:27

      There are buses in Greenacre that can be used. Even if the bus is only one more stop from the stop that is less than 1.6km (straight line) away then that isn't an exemption. Good luck.

      • 

        easternculture on 22/02/2025 - 15:30

        Its assessed on a one to one basis.
        They cant expect to make a walking trip with a 5 and 6 year old

        • 

          mysterytal on 22/02/2025 - 15:46

          @easternculture: I don't see that in the extended terms and conditions.

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            easternculture on 22/02/2025 - 16:02

            @mysterytal: When i apply, its showing pending review so im guessing they either manually approve or decline based on application

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          mskeggs on 22/02/2025 - 16:22

          @easternculture: I don't understand what you are saying. In Greenacre there are buses closer than 1.6km to your house, so you won't qualify for this subsidy.

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            easternculture on 22/02/2025 - 16:48

            @mskeggs: Will update when they reply. Its pending review.

        • 

          deeevan on 22/02/2025 - 22:44

          @easternculture:

          They cant expect to make a walking trip with a 5 and 6 year old

          Yes they can for the purpose of this subsidy. See the bit I bolded.

          What would be interesting is if someone lived 1.65km away from nearest bus stop, but that is the closest bus stop to the school so there'd be no point in catching the bus… Would that qualify?

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  henrus on 22/02/2025 - 13:28

  Areas with limited transport, so anyone on the Sydney trains network is eligible?

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  HarleyQuinn888 on 22/02/2025 - 15:35

  Now to find a butler/driver that will work for those rates :)