Changes announced for regional School Bus Services in 2024

Following the inquiry into the Student Transport Assistance Policy (STAP) Framework, the 'Bus Fair' Report was released in August 2022, which listed 40 recommendations.

From 2024 key changes to the eligibility requirements include:

• allowing students to attend either their nearest district or senior high school, rather than just their closest school;
• more flexibility for social and community factors to be considered in an application for transport assistance; and
• allowing eligible students to receive transport assistance to travel to a regional town to attend their selected school.

A full copy of the governments' media statement can be found here.