Travel

Air, road and train transport are essential modes of travel for rural and remote students accessing education; and for many long distances are not avoidable and one of the most difficult challenges faced by families.

In 2026 the Travel Portfolio will focus on issues including:

• Request School Bus Services to implement clear and structured communications processes.
• Request School Bus Services to clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of School Bus Advisory Committees.
• Advocate for a raise in the payment per kilometre for the Public Transport Authority (PTA) Conveyance Allowance to align with the respective yearly business expense rate (88 cents/km for 2025-2026) as set by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
• Lobbying the Department of Transport – On-demand Transport and the Minister for Transport to review the transport hub policy criteria for the Student Travel Subsidy Scheme (STSS) – Road Travel Subsidy.

ICPA (WA) has highlighted the inequities occurring due to On-Demand Transport applying the proximity to a transport hub on a strict basis, irrespective of whether the service goes to the nearest public school, how frequent the service operates, or whether the transport goes in the totally opposite direction.

• Lobbying the Department of Transport to accept and process requests for refunds for airfares under the Student Travel Subsidy Scheme (STSS) up until 31 December.
• Lobbying the Public Transport Authority to ensure that all school bus contractors adhere to the Student Transport Assistance Policy and Operational Guidelines.

The eligibility requirements of the STSS can be found on the Department’s website.

• Implement recommendations as presented in the 'Bus Fair' report.

The Conveyance Allowance is an important payment to support rural families travelling long distances daily to meet school bus services and is currently set a 55.6c/km (less than the rate used by the Australian Taxation Office).

• Advocate for an increase in payment per kilometre for the Public Transport Authority (PTA) Conveyance Allowance.
• Advocate for a conveyance allowance for School of the Air students attending in-school education programs.

This portfolio is led by Arlene Sutherland and supported by Megan Dorrell.