Eligible STAS students who qualify for assistance receive government-funded travel to their nearest state school or designated school.
Eligible students who attend a school other than their nearest or designated school may need to pay a 'top up' fare based on the extra distance travelled. These top up fares are dependent on the bus operator.
STAS top up fares in Translink's SEQ network are not based on Translink SEQ zones. Top up fares are calculated by Translink SEQ bus operators based on the distance travelled by each student as indicated on their STAS application form.
New STAS top up fares came into effect on Monday 6 January 2020.
| STAS level | Single | Daily | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Fully subsidised | Fully subsidised | Fully subsidised |
| 1 | $0.90 | $1.80 | $7.20 |
| 2 | $1.00 | $2.00 | $8.00 |
| 3 | $1.10 | $2.20 | $8.80 |
| 4 | $1.30 | $2.60 | $10.40 |
| 5 | $1.50 | $3.00 | $12.00 |
| 6 | $1.60 | $3.20 | $12.80 |
| 7 | $1.70 | $3.40 | $13.60 |
| 8 | $1.80 | $3.60 | $14.40 |
| 9 | $1.90 | $3.80 | $15.20 |
| 10 | $2.00 | $4.00 | $16.00 |
| 11 | $2.10 | $4.20 | $16.80 |
| 12 | $2.20 | $4.40 | $17.60 |
| 13 | $2.30 | $4.60 | $18.40 |
| 14 | $2.50 | $5.00 | $20.00 |
Fares are in $AUD and include GST.
Top up fares increase every two years.
STAS students travelling on Translink regional bus networks who choose to travel beyond their nearest state school pay a top up fare based on the extra distance and the number of zones travelled.
For other operators throughout Queensland, STAS students who choose to travel beyond their nearest state school pay a top up fare based on the School Transport Maximum Cash Fare Schedule.
This fare schedule applies to all school bus operators who have a prescribed school service contract with the Department of Transport and Main Roads and sets out the maximum cash fare that a bus operator can charge. Some bus operators may charge less than the maximum fare. Contact your local bus operator for their fare schedule.
If space permits on a bus, non-STAS students may also travel at the discretion of the bus operator. The maximum cash fare schedule also applies.
View the School Transport Maximum Cash Fare Schedule on page 2 of the School Transport Information Statement (PDF).
A new School Transport Maximum Cash Fare Schedule came into effect on Tuesday 28 January 2025.