Travelling to School

There are a range of transport options to help your child to get to and from school. These options include free school bus routes in regional Victoria, concession cards for students to use public transport at discounted rates and the healthy option of walking or cycling to school.

The option you choose will be effected by the public transport available in your area, the cost of transport, the distance your child has to travel to school and how 'safe' the route between your house and the school is.

When deciding how your child will get to school, speak first to the school as they will be able to advise you on all the available options.

If you reside more than 4.8km from the nearest school you may be eligible for a conveyance allowance. Further information about this allowance and application forms are available from your child's school.

Travelling to school on public transport

All children 16 years and under can travel on public transport at a concession rate. Students 17 years and over must carry a valid concession card such as a Health Care Card or a Victorian Public Transport (VPT) Student Concession Card.

Further discounted travel is available for students with the purchase of a Victorian Student Pass. Any children travelling with a Victorian Student Pass or Regional Transit Pass must also have a VPT Student Concession Card.

You can apply for a VPT Student Concession Card through Metlink.

For more information, see: Metlink – Students

Travelling to school by the free school bus network

An extensive school bus network supplies free bus transport to students living in regional Victoria and some outer metropolitan Melbourne suburbs.

The basis for access to the free bus network is that your child attends the closest government school to your house. This applies whether you live in regional Victoria or in metropolitan Melbourne.

The school bus network is administered by the Department of Transport and carries over 73,000 students each school day on approximately 1,600 school bus routes.

You should speak to your child's school to find out if they have this service available.

For more information about the school bus network, see: Department of Transport's School Buses in Melbourne and Regional Centres

For information about bus safety, see Stay Bus Safe

Walking or cycling to school

Walking or cycling to school is a great way to get a healthy start to the day. It can also be a good opportunity to teach your child about traffic safety. Many schools have special programs that promote walking or cycling to school. Speak to your child's school about any activities and facilities they offer their students.

For information on safe cycling routes in Victoria, see: Cycling Victoria

For information on the annual Walktober event, see: Walktober

Further assistance

For some students who travel to school by private car, ferry or motorbike, allowances based on the distance travelled may be available. Contact your child's school to find out if you are eligible.

Students attending a specialist school may also be eligible for travel assistance. Contact your child's school to find out if you are eligible for this assistance.