Queensland parents driving their children to school may be eligible for significant government financial support through the School Transport Assistance Scheme. This initiative provides allowances for families relying on private vehicles to transport their children to school or the nearby public transport stops.
To qualify for the allowance, families must live more than 3.2 kilometres from the nearest state primary school or over 4.8 kilometres from the nearest state secondary school. Additionally, parents of students attending non-state schools can also apply, provided they meet the distance criteria.
Families can also receive funding for children using public transport like buses, ferries, trains, or light rail. The scheme includes provisions for students dependent on health care cards, pensioner concession cards, or those under child protection orders, ensuring they qualify regardless of their proximity to schools.
To be eligible, students must reside in Queensland, attend an approved educational institution, and be 18 years old or younger. Overall, this assistance scheme aims to alleviate transportation costs for families and improve access to education across the state.