Long Distance Coach Travel subsidy

Boarding school students who cannot access regular scheduled services on NSW TrainLink train services and coach network may be eligible. Passenger travel for Long Distance Coach must be at least 40 kilometres.

The student must:

• Reside in NSW, or be an overseas student eligible for free government education.
• Be aged 4 years 6 months or older; pre-school children are not eligible.
• Live away from home to attend school daily.

Students who board at school

• may be eligible for weekend and holiday travel on NSW TrainLink train and coach services

Students who board in town near school

• may be eligible for subsidised travel between the family home and the place of boarding at weekends and school holidays.

Complete the form

• Download and complete the paper form.
• You will need a valid email address.
• The school will need to endorse the application before you submit, along with any supporting documents via transportnsw.info/concessions-application

Please note:

• If you're under 16 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must submit the application.
• If you're 16 years or older you need to complete and submit the application form yourself.

Apply for a Long Distance Coach subsidy (PDF, 283.4KB)

After the school has verified your application and you have submitted it, Transport for NSW will process the application. This may take several weeks, and you will be informed of the outcome of your application by email.

• Passenger travel for Long Distance Coach must be at least 40 kilometres.
• Long Distance Coach Subsidy is paid for up to nine journeys per school year. A maximum of two return trips per term can be claimed. Students have the option of making one additional trip in one school term of their choosing.
• The number of journeys cannot be combined from term to term.
• Parents or schools must pay the cost of the coach fares and then request reimbursement from Transport for NSW.
• A student can have either a weekend/vacation pass or receive a Long Distance Coach Subsidy reimbursement.
• The student may also be entitled to a School Drive Subsidy to get them to or from the nearest NSW TrainLink or Long Distance Coach pick-up/drop-off point.

• Application for refund of coach fares is made by the school principal at the end of each semester.
• The refund payments for fares are paid directly to the listed applicant.
• You must upload the original receipts or passenger’s copy of coach tickets with the claim form. This is needed for any refund to be processed.
• Download and complete the claim form, and submit via transportnsw.info/concessions-application

• Weekend or vacation Boarder Rail Pass for students who require NSW TrainLink travel to either home or school.
• School travel pass for free daily travel for students who reside away from home but not at the school.
• School Drive Subsidy for students who live in areas where there is no public transport.