VIC Free Public Transport for Under-18s
This page is a direct rule-based guide for AU_VIC_FREE_PT_UNDER_18 (rule version 2025-26, effective 1 January 2026). It explains Victoria's free public transport for under-18s — every child under 18 can travel free on Victorian trains, trams and buses, which kicked in on 1 January 2026.
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Quick Answer
Your child likely qualifies if you live in Victoria and have a dependent child under 18. In the questionnaire it is reached when state = VIC and dependent_children = true.
It produces no cash — instead it removes myki fares for that child. Everyone under 18 travels free on Victorian trains, trams and buses, so the saving depends on how much your child actually travels.
Outcome summary: free travel for under-18s across the Victorian public transport network, with no application needed — the benefit is automatic for eligible children from 1 January 2026.
What Is This Payment?
Free public transport for under-18s is a Victorian Government measure that makes travel on the state's public transport network free for everyone under 18. It started on 1 January 2026.
The rule database tags this as a Group B benefit with eligibility_only as its result role. It does not pay any money; its value is the removal of the fare a child would otherwise pay on trains, trams and buses.
Because the saving depends entirely on how often a child travels, the value varies from family to family. A child who catches a tram to school every day saves far more over a year than one who travels only occasionally, so this guide describes the value in those terms rather than quoting a single figure.
How Much Can You Get?
The amount block is eligibility_only with period: none. There is no direct cash payment; the value is the public transport fare your under-18 child no longer has to pay.
- Free travel for under-18s on Victorian trains, trams and buses.
- No myki fare charged for that child's eligible travel.
- Value varies by use - the more a child travels, the more a family saves, so frequent commuters benefit most.
Eligibility Conditions
The eligibility block is an all set, so every condition must pass.
- Live in Victoria:
state = VIC. The benefit applies to travel on the Victorian public transport network. - Have a dependent child under 18:
dependent_children = true. The free travel applies to everyone under 18.
There is no income test and no concession card requirement for this measure - it is universal for children under 18, not limited to families on a particular payment or card.
No application is needed. The free travel is automatic for eligible under-18s from 1 January 2026, so families do not have to lodge a form or wait for approval to benefit.
How To Apply
The channel is automatic. There is no application process and no evidence to submit; eligible under-18s travel free from 1 January 2026.
- No form to lodge - the free travel applies automatically to children under 18.
- Check Public Transport Victoria for how the free travel is applied in practice on trains, trams and buses.
Read the official Public Transport Victoria free travel guidance
Rule-Based Scenarios
Scenario 1: a daily school commuter
Hannah's 15-year-old son catches a train and a tram to school each weekday in Melbourne. Because everyone under 18 travels free from 1 January 2026, the family no longer pays his myki fares for those trips, which is a meaningful saving over a school year of daily travel.
Scenario 2: occasional traveller
Tom and Bianca's 10-year-old only uses public transport for the occasional weekend outing. The travel is still free, but because she rarely travels the dollar saving is small - the benefit is real but scales with how much a child actually rides.
Scenario 3: regional family
The Nguyen family lives in regional Victoria and their two teenagers use the train and connecting buses to get around. Both children are under 18, so both travel free on the Victorian network without the family needing to apply or hold any card.
Scenario 4: child turning 18
Olivia's daughter is 17 and travels free, but the family understands the benefit is tied to being under 18. Once she turns 18, standard fares apply and she may instead look at student or other concession options.
Common Mistakes
- Expecting a cash payment: this is an eligibility_only benefit - it removes the fare your child would pay, it does not pay money into your account.
- Thinking you must apply: no application is needed; free travel for under-18s is automatic from 1 January 2026.
- Assuming it is means-tested: it is universal for children under 18, with no income test and no concession card requirement.
- Expecting a fixed dollar saving: the value depends entirely on how much the child travels, so daily commuters save far more than occasional riders.
- Confusing it with concession myki: this is free travel for being under 18, separate from concession myki for cardholders such as pensioners or DVA recipients.
- Forgetting it ends at 18: once a child turns 18 the under-18 free travel no longer applies and standard or other concession fares apply instead.
Related Benefits
- Concession myki (PCC/HCC/DVA) - concession travel for eligible cardholders.
- Seniors myki - concession and free travel options for older Victorians.
- Get Active Kids Voucher - help with the cost of children's sport and recreation.
- Victorian Carer Card - discounts and concessions for carers.
- Family Tax Benefit Part A (child 0-12) - federal per-child family support.
- Family Tax Benefit Part A (child 13-19) - federal support for older dependent children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can travel free under this measure?
Everyone under 18 can travel free on Victorian trains, trams and buses. For families, that means a dependent child under 18 living in Victoria.
Does it pay any money?
No. It is an eligibility-only benefit. It removes the public transport fare a child under 18 would otherwise pay; it does not pay cash.
How much will my family save?
It depends on how much your child travels. A child who commutes daily saves much more over a year than one who travels only occasionally, so there is no single figure.
Do I need to apply?
No. The free travel is automatic for eligible children under 18 from 1 January 2026 - there is no form to lodge and no evidence to submit.
Is it means-tested or limited to cardholders?
No. It is universal for under-18s, with no income test and no concession card requirement.
When did it start?
The free public transport for under-18s kicked in on 1 January 2026.
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