Reviews and appeals of school travel pass applications
Request a review before lodging an appeal.
This page is about requesting a review or lodging an appeal if your application for free school travel has been rejected. If you have had a student travel pass before you will need a different page:
- Need to update or renew? Update your pass if it’s expired, your details have changed, or there’s a new shared parental arrangement.
- Lost, damaged or stolen card? Replace your pass.
Step 1: Request a review
You will receive an email if your application is unsuccessful or if further information is needed.
If you believe there are special circumstances regarding your application, you can request a review.
Special circumstances for reviews
- Walking route: The pedestrian infrastructure between the student’s home and school/TAFE is unsuitable for safe walking.
- Medical reasons: The student has a medical condition that prevents them from walking to and from school/TAFE.
- Initial applications may be approved for up to 12 months with a certificate from your general practitioner.
- Subsequent applications require a comprehensive report from a medical specialist.
- Note: This does not cover one-off injuries or minor, temporary or irregular conditions.
- Legal or child safety reasons: You will need to include documentation to support your application for an exemption on Legal/Child Services grounds. For example, an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) or letter from Department of Family and Community Services.
- Financial difficulties: Your family is experiencing financial difficulties and is unable to pay for transport to and from school.
Step 2: Appeal to the SSTS Appeals Panel
A review of your declined application must be completed before you can make an appeal to the SSTS Appeals Panel.
The SSTS Appeals Panel is an independent body with representatives from the Department of Education and parent groups. The panel meets monthly.
The panel may uphold an appeal if it concludes that special circumstances apply.
The panel does not review decisions relating to the:
- mode of transport or the route approved for eligible students.
- application of the straight-line distance test.
- walking distance test conducted by Transport for NSW.
Each appeal received is assessed on its merits and investigated before being put forward to the panel for examination. It may take up to eight weeks between an appeal being received and resolved.
To appeal, send your completed appeals panel application form (PDF, 262.9KB) to sstsappeals@transport.nsw.gov.au or post to PO Box K659 Haymarket NSW 1240.
Special circumstances for appeals
The same special circumstances apply when lodging an appeal. These include:
- Walking route: The pedestrian infrastructure between the student’s home and school/TAFE is unsuitable for safe walking.
- Medical reasons: The student has a medical condition that prevents them from walking to and from school/TAFE.
- Initial applications may be approved for up to 12 months with a certificate from your general practitioner.
- Subsequent applications require a comprehensive report from a medical specialist.
- Note: This does not cover one-off injuries or minor, temporary or irregular conditions.
- Legal or child safety reasons: You will need to include documentation to support your application for an exemption on Legal/Child Services grounds. For example, an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) or letter from Department of Family and Community Services.
- Financial difficulties: Your family is experiencing financial difficulties and is unable to pay for transport to and from school.
Not eligible?
If you’re not eligible for free travel, you may be eligible to purchase a School Term Bus Pass for discounted travel on buses between home and school or pay standard child fares.