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Apply for a school travel pass or School Opal card

Introduction

School travel passes can be used for free travel to and from school or TAFE. Depending on where you are travelling, you may receive a free school travel pass, a School Opal card, or both.

When to apply

Applications for next year open at the start of Term 4 this year.

Eligible cards are automatically updated for the new school year, so you'll only need to apply if you're:

  • applying for a school travel pass for the first time
  • changing name, school and/or address, or
  • requesting an additional pass as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation.

You can apply for free school travel for different modes of transport, including trains, buses, ferries, and light rail, using the online form.

Note:

If you have applied for a student travel pass before, you will need a different page:

Who can get a school travel pass

The student must:

  • be a resident of NSW or an overseas student eligible for free government education.
  • be aged 4 years and 6 months or older. Pre-school children are not eligible.
  • live a minimum distance from their school. The minimum distance varies according to the year or grade the student is enrolled in during that calendar year.

You need to live a minimum distance from your school to be eligible for a free school travel pass. The minimum distance varies according to the year/grade you are enrolled in, in that calendar year:

  • Years K to 2 (Infants): no minimum distance
  • Years 3 to 6 (Primary): 1.6 kilometres straight line distance or 2.3 kilometres walking or further from home.
  • Years 7 to 12 (Secondary): 2 kilometres straight line distance or 2.9 kilometres walking or further.
  • TAFE students: Under 18 on 1 January, enrolled in full-time TAFE (minimum 16 hours/week), not employed, and live 3.2 km or further from their closest TAFE. 

Note: Free school travel is not available to students who live within the following distances from their school. However, the student may still qualify for a School Term Bus Pass.

How to complete the online form

  • Important: The form must be completed in one session; you cannot save a partly completed form.
  • Before you start: Confirm the transport mode(s) and operators the student will use for travel between home and school.
  • You will need a valid email address.
  • Applications must be made by a parent or legal guardian if you're under 16 years of age. 
  • If you're 16 years or older you need to complete and sign the application form yourself.

After applying

  • After you have submitted your application, the student's school needs to verify it.
  • Transport for NSW will process the application, which may take several weeks.
  • You will be informed of the outcome of your application by email.
  • Note down your N or UN number. You’ll be able to track the status of the application.
  • If the application is unsuccessful, you can request a review. Find out more about unsuccessful applications.

See the full terms and conditions for school travel passes and School Opal cards.

What a school travel pass will look like

School Opal Card

School Opal cards are issued by Transport for NSW for free school travel or as a School Term Bus Pass inside Sydney and surrounds. School Opal cards can be accepted on metro, train, bus, ferry and light rail services.

School Travel Pass

Free school travel passes and School Term Bus Passes are issued by operators to students travelling on buses in rural and regional areas. Some operators in rural and regional areas may choose not to issue passes to students. Please contact the operator directly to find out when and where the student pass will be sent.

How to use school travel pass or School Opal card

  • The School Opal card is only valid for use between home and school on the transport operators specified in your original application. If you try to use your School Opal card for unapproved travel, the Opal card reader will show an error message.
  • The School Opal card can only be used for one forward and one return approved journey per school or college day (as applicable). This does not include school holidays.
  • The School Opal card can only be used between the hours of 6:30am and 7:00pm for school students and 6:30am and 9:30pm for TAFE students. If you try to use your School Opal card outside of these times, the Opal card reader will show an error message.
  • For personal travel, children aged 16 years and under should use a Child/Youth Opal card.

See also