Student fares and ticketing
School bus services may be free or charge a fare.
1. Free bus services
School buses are free when they operate wholly in a rural area and travel to the local school.
To travel on free school bus services you
- Must be a student under 19.
- Do not need a Student Bus Pass to receive free travel.
A rural area is entirely outside the urban area.
If the school is within the urban area, the bus will charge a fare. This is to ensure fairness between urban and non-urban students at the same school.
A local school is the school within your intake area.
An intake area is the geographical boundary that surrounds each government primary and combined (district) school. Sometimes called school ‘catchments’ or ‘home areas’, intake areas are set by the Department of Education. Primary and district schools accept enrolments from their intake area. High schools accept enrolments from certain primary and district schools.
See intake area map – electronic.
See intake area maps – PDF.
2. Fare charging bus services
School buses charge a fare when they travel to, from, or wholly within, an urban area. This is to ensure fairness between urban and non-urban students at the same school.
If you travel on a fare charging service you may be eligible for a Student Bus Pass for Free Travel.
3. Fares and ticketing
Child students pay a flat rate, regardless of distance, time or day of travel, or destination.
A 20 per cent discount is available, and you may be eligible for free travel.
To see current fares and ticketing options, visit the fares page.