School Bus Upgrade Scheme (SchoolBUS)

Assistance available for upgrading school buses

The Queensland Government provides funding to eligible school bus operators to assist with the purchase of new buses or buses that are less than 5 years old. The objective of the scheme is to help accelerate the introduction of rollover-compliant buses into the Queensland school bus fleet.

Recently the Department of Transport and Main Roads conducted a comprehensive review of the current funding caps associated to the SchoolBUS program. The findings of this review have resulted in increases across all funding categories NC2 – NC5, which will take effect in the 2019/20 financial year.

For more information about SchoolBUS funding caps and other recent changes to the scheme please refer to the SchoolBUS Guidelines and Conditions 16A/2018 (PDF, 600 KB) and SchoolBUS Guidelines and Conditions 16B/2018 (PDF, 549 KB). 

In 2019/20 SchoolBUS funding is available to replace eligible buses being used on kilometric and fares-based routes for which the operator holds a Prescribed School Service Contract. SchoolBUS funding for Students with a Disability (SWD) operators is still on hold. Further advice about SchoolBUS funding for SWD operators will be provided in due course. Details about the financial assistance eligibility guidelines are contained in school transport information statements. Maps of the notified roads and defined urban areas are also available. To download these documents, select from the following links:

• SchoolBUS information statements 
• Map publications 
• Notified roads 
• Application forms 

Contact us for further information on School Bus Upgrade Scheme and Steep Bus Upgrade Scheme.