School transport options

Another important factor when deciding on a school for your autistic child is the travel and transport options.

Safe, reliable and consistent transport options ensure your child can attend school, participate in school events or extra-curricular activities and engage with peers. Learning about the transport options available to your child will help you find the best way for your child to travel to and from school.  

The right school for your child might not be within walking distance from home. Many families or relatives drive their children to and from school, but where this isn’t possible, these options can be considered.

Public transport

Many students use buses, trains or other public transport options. Using public transport requires specific skills and abilities that some autistic children may not have developed yet or are still working towards. If your child is an NDIS participant, working towards using public transport independently could be addressed in therapy.

Here are some things to consider before deciding on public transport for your child:

Consider skills

Consider if your child has the skills to navigate public transport safely. Do they know how to read a timetable or mobile app? Do they know how to wait and board a service safely? Do they know how to ask for help if they require it? 

Research and plan

Before using public transport, thoroughly research your options and prepare your child for their journey. Determine the route, where waiting areas and toilets are and where your child can access help if needed. 

Downloading apps that provide live updates about services will help your child stay up to date with changes. Packing sensory tools and comfort objects in their bag, including noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses, and fidget toys, and encouraging your child to use these can support emotional regulation. 

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard is an initiative designed to discreetly alert staff on public transport services that the wearer has a hidden or invisible disability. This may be a helpful tool to support your child in the community but carefully consider how they can use it best. 

Travel with someone

An autistic child might benefit from travelling to and from school on public transport with a sibling or peer. For some families, using a support worker, either temporarily or long-term, can provide additional reassurance. 

Practise the trip

Practising a trip can help build your child’s familiarity and confidence. You can practise what to do in tricky scenarios (e.g., missing a service) to teach your child how to navigate these situations. Practising the trip at different times in the day can also identify the best time to travel (e.g., travelling outside of peak hours to prevent sensory overload).

Communicate

Notifying the school about how your child travels to and from school can help them support your child (e.g., making sure they get on the right bus). If your child interacts with the same staff on public transport each day (e.g., bus driver, train guard), it might be worth speaking to them about your child’s needs, too.

Have a contingency plan

Public transport can sometimes be unpredictable and unreliable. A delayed, missed or cancelled service can be incredibly stressful for autistic people. Create a clear and simple process that your child can follow in these scenarios to stay as safe and calm as possible. 

Government-assisted transport

Younger children or those who find public transport challenging may be eligible for government-assisted transport. This service usually involves a trained driver responsible for safely taking children to and from school. These services will accommodate multiple children, potentially allowing children to interact with their peers. Engaging with these services that allow students to interact with or sit among their peers before school can also reduce anxiety associated with school attendance.

School transport services for students with disabilities are typically organised through government agencies and are fully funded, ensuring no additional financial burden on families. The process for applying for such transport varies by state or territory but generally requires visiting the local education department's website.

Learn more about the transport options available in each state and territory for students with disabilities by scrolling to the bottom of this page.

The NDIS and transport assistance

If your child is an NDIS participant, their funding package may cover school transport. Parents may be able to arrange private transportation with a dedicated carer, particularly if there is no government-assisted transport available. Consult with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to determine your child’s eligibility and what support is available to you. You can find out more about transport support delivered by the NDIS here.

School transport options across Australia

School transport options for students with disability vary across the different Australian states and territories. Tap on the buttons below to discover the government-assisted transport options in your area.