Transport
The Assisted School Travel Program (ASTP) provides transport services to over 10,800 eligible students with disability enrolled in government and non-government schools in NSW.
How does transport work?
Drivers and ATSOs must meet child protection requirements and are screened prior to employment. Vehicles must meet safety standards set by law and quality standards mandated by the ASTP.
- The ASTP will send you a letter or email with details about travel arrangements.
- The contractor/driver will contact you to arrange a pick-up and drop-off time and location prior to the start of transport.
- You may wish to prepare your child with socialising stories and rehearsal for travel.
- Make sure you have the necessary equipment for safe travel such as a child booster seat.
- Drivers must wait at the kerb. They are not permitted to enter private property to pick up and drop off students.
Requesting changes to approved travel arrangements
Requests for transport on a permanent or temporary basis to an alternate address must be made through the school using a variation form (PDF 807.46KB) - depending upon the change, you may be required to complete a new Part A of the Application for Assisted School Travel form (PDF 504.74KB).
Transport requests for National Disability Insurance Scheme funded services before or after school - such as respite, therapy or community access - should be discussed first with the student's National Disability Insurance Agency planner.
What supports are available on transport?
Sometimes children with behaviour or medical concerns require additional support to travel safely. In these cases, schools will work with you to provide plans and travel aids such as books, soft toys, pictures, tablets or music players to make the journey to and from school calm and safe. In some circumstances schools may assess the concerns and apply for an ATSO to provide additional supervision.
If an ATSO is required, the school develops a travel support plan for the student. Travel cannot begin until an ATSO is engaged. ATSOs require additional training to administer emergency medications or perform complex health procedures on transport. Training is the responsibility of the school.
The school will work with you to provide additional strategies and plans for safe travel as needed. If damage occurs to a vehicle because of your child's behaviour, then you are responsible for reimbursing the cost of any damages to the contractor.
Find out your parental responsibilities.