Application for the conveyance allowance
Application forms
Families can complete the relevant application form (located on the Resources tab) and submit it to their school, or the school can complete the form on their behalf and ensure the parent understands and signs the completed application form.
Schools must check, verify and sign each application confirming the information provided by parents/carers is correct including the availability of public transport and distance travelled.
Note for Form 3: In most instances, public transport is free for students aged under 18. If the student has turned 18 years old, or the transport service is not covered under free public transport, an eligible student may be granted an allowance based on the most economical public transport fare only. Application for public transport travel must include evidence of ticket purchase.
If public transport is also indicated on Form 4 and Form 5, include evidence of ticket purchase.
Incorrect information may result in the application being declined or payment of the claim being delayed.
Allowance payments
The conveyance allowance is paid by the department to students’ families via the school. Schools are responsible for distributing conveyance allowance funds in a timely manner to families.
Withholding of the conveyance allowance by schools
The conveyance allowance is for the student named on the application form. Schools must not withhold any part of the allowance in lieu of fees or late payments.
Parents/carers may authorise the school to use their conveyance allowance towards procured bus services/tickets by providing written consent. The application form contains a section for parents/carers to provide this consent.
Schools must not withhold the conveyance allowance for the purpose of paying for procured bus services for school excursions.
Schools then lodge the application via the Student Conveyance Allowance System (SCAS) which assesses the application against eligibility criteria.
Information about processing applications is set out in the chapter – Processing applications (using SCAS).
Late applications
All claims must be submitted by schools, through SCAS, during the current calendar year. Late applications cannot be accepted after the Term 4 closing date (listed on the Policy tab under the heading ‘Application processing’). Applications cannot be made for retrospective payments for prior years.
Record keeping
Schools must retain the application forms signed by parents/carers for a period of 7 years. This is required for auditing purposes.
CAU audit process – audit of school processes by CAU
The CAU will conduct an annual audit of randomly selected schools. The audits will review a sample of completed application forms (including evidence of ticket purchases where applicable).
In addition, as part of the independent audit of non-government schools, these schools are to provide information to the auditor about compliance with this policy including any case of overpayment. Non-government schools must provide their auditor with a sample of 20 applications or 20% of all applications received by the school within the audit period, whichever is the greater. Non-government schools may be asked to provide a certificate from the school’s auditor or an extract from the school audit concerning compliance with this policy. These schools are required to provide this information on request.
Reviewed 16 January 2026