ACT Student Transport Program
This page is a direct rule-based guide for AU_ACT_STUDENT_TRANSPORT (rule version 2025-26, effective 1 July 2025). It explains the ACT Student Transport Program — free weekday travel to and from school during term for students in eligible card-holder families.
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Quick Answer
You may qualify when you live in the ACT and have a school-age dependent child — checked as state = ACT and dependent_children = true — in a family that holds a Pensioner Concession, Health Care or DVA card.
It produces no cash payment. Instead it gives eligible students free travel to and from school on weekdays during the school term, removing the cost of the daily commute to school.
Outcome summary: free Monday-to-Friday term-time travel to and from school for the student, so getting to and from school costs the family nothing on public transport.
What Is This Payment?
The Student Transport Program helps families on a concession or pension card by making the daily trip to school free for their students during term time. It removes a regular, recurring cost for households already managing on a low income.
The rule database tags this as a Group B benefit with eligibility_only as its result role. There is no cash payment and no fixed dollar figure: the value is the waived fare for the student's school-day travel.
The free travel applies Monday to Friday during the school term, for trips to and from school. The family's eligible card — a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or DVA card — is what unlocks the benefit.
How Much Can You Get?
The amount block is eligibility_only with period: none. There is no direct cash payment; the value is free term-time travel to and from school for the student.
- Free school-day travel: no fare for trips to and from school.
- Weekdays in term: Monday to Friday during the school term.
- Tied to a family card: available where the family holds a Pensioner Concession, Health Care or DVA card.
Eligibility Conditions
The eligibility block is an all set, so every condition must pass.
- You are in the ACT:
state = ACT. The student travels to school in the Australian Capital Territory. - You have a dependent child:
dependent_children = true. The benefit is for families with a school student in their care.
Beyond the rule conditions, the program requires the family to hold an eligible concession card — a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or DVA card — which is the evidence you provide when you apply.
The free travel is for getting to and from school on weekdays in term, so it is tied to the school commute rather than general travel or weekend trips.
How To Apply
The channel is online through Transport Canberra, with proof of the family's eligible card.
- Apply online through the Transport Canberra Student Transport Program pages.
- Provide the family's concession card (Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or DVA card) as evidence.
- Once approved, the student travels free to and from school on weekdays during term.
Rule-Based Scenarios
Scenario 1: a Health Care Card family
Nadia holds a Health Care Card and her daughter catches the bus to a Canberra high school each day. Through the program her daughter travels free to and from school on weekdays during term, saving the family the daily fare.
Scenario 2: a pensioner grandparent carer
Frank cares for his grandson and holds a Pensioner Concession Card. He applies so his grandson travels free to school on school days, easing a regular cost on a fixed income.
Scenario 3: a veteran family
The Webb family holds a DVA card and has two school-age children. Both children get free term-time travel to and from school, removing a recurring transport cost for the household.
Scenario 4: no eligible card
The Taylor family has school children but does not hold any of the eligible cards. They do not qualify for free student travel under this program and would pay the usual student concession fare instead.
Common Mistakes
- Expecting a cash payment: the program waives the student's school-day fare; it does not pay money to families.
- Assuming all families qualify: the benefit depends on the family holding a Pensioner Concession, Health Care or DVA card.
- Thinking it covers all travel: the free travel is for trips to and from school on weekdays during term, not general or weekend travel.
- Forgetting to apply: the free travel must be applied for through Transport Canberra with proof of the eligible card; it is not automatic.
- Overlooking term dates: the benefit applies during the school term, so plan for school holidays separately.
- Not updating the card: if the family's eligible card lapses, the free travel may no longer apply, so keep the card current.
Related Benefits
- ACT Free Preschool — free preschool hours for 3 and 4 year olds.
- ACT MyWay Concession — concession fares on Canberra public transport.
- ACT MyWay Concession Registration — register for concession travel.
- ACT Public Dental — subsidised dental care for eligible residents.
- Health Care Card — a federal concession card for low-income earners.
- Family Tax Benefit Part A — federal help with the cost of raising teenagers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the program pay families money?
No. It gives eligible students free travel to and from school on weekdays during term; it is not a cash payment.
Who is eligible?
ACT families with a school student who hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or DVA card.
When does the free travel apply?
Monday to Friday during the school term, for trips to and from school.
Does it cover weekend or holiday travel?
No. The free travel is for the school commute on weekdays in term, not weekends or school holidays.
How do I apply?
Apply online through Transport Canberra and provide the family's eligible concession card as evidence.
What if our card expires?
The benefit relies on holding an eligible card, so keep the card current to keep the free travel.
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