The role of the contractor is highly regarded in the community. It requires a high level of professionalism, compliance with the NSW Department of Education Code of Conduct and a duty to ensure the welfare of the students being transported.

Contractors have a broad range of responsibilities – the most important being the safety and welfare of students transported to and from school.

The ASTP Agreement (PDF 493KB) outlines the contractors' responsibilities, including:

• Contractors and drivers must be available for transport between 7am – 9:30am and 2:30pm – 5pm
• Contractors must be contactable between 6am – 6pm
• Contractors should advise ASTP, schools and parents prior to any change being made to the driver of the vehicle
• Contractors should ensure that drivers are aware that, if requested, they should show their driver licence to parents or schools staff
• Providers such as taxis, public bus companies and private hire transport companies that are accredited under the Passenger Transport Act 1990 and the Passenger Transport Regulation 2007 are required to comply with all conditions of the existing legislation.
• Contractors must ensure that, prior to providing any service under the contract, they, or their personnel, have successfully completed all requirements, including a Working With Children Check, probity check, and have been approved in writing by the ASTP
• Contractors must advise ASTP in writing within 24 hours of a charge or conviction in relation to any criminal, traffic or any other offence committed by any personnel used by the contractor to provide the service.
• Contractors, and people engaged by contractors, must be aware of the Department of Education Code of Conduct . Conduct assessed as a serious breach of contract may result in termination of the contract.
• All vehicles used to provide the service must be of an acceptable standard to the Department of Education and Transport for NSW(TfNSW). They must be maintained to ensure the safety of students, drivers and Assisted Travel Support Officers.
• Contractors must arrange for a relief vehicle in the event of the breakdown of a designated vehicle.
• Contractors must notify ASTP immediately by telephone if there is an accident or incident during the provision of the service. A written report should follow.

Learn more about the ASTP Scheme.