Terms & Conditions of Carriage
Effective Date: 1 September 2026
--------------------------------------------
1. Introduction
These Terms & Conditions of Carriage ("Terms") govern the provision of school transport services by Western Sydney Community School Transport ("WSCST", "we", "our" or "us") to students travelling on our services and to their parents or legal guardians ("you").
By submitting an Expression of Interest, enrolment application or accepting an offered transport place, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to these Terms.
These Terms form the agreement between WSCST and the parent or legal guardian responsible for the student's enrolment.
--------------------------------------------
2. Our Service
WSCST is a privately operated community-funded school transport provider serving students attending participating schools throughout Western Sydney. Our services are funded entirely through fees paid by participating families and are not subsidised by the NSW Government.
--------------------------------------------
3. Definitions
Student means the child enrolled to travel on a WSCST service.
Parent includes a parent, legal guardian or person responsible for payment of fees.
School Year means the academic year for which the student is enrolled.
Transport Place means a confirmed seat allocated by WSCST.
Bus Stop means the pickup and drop-off location nominated by WSCST.
​
--------------------------------------------
4. Enrolment
Submitting an Expression of Interest or enrolment application does not guarantee a transport place.
Transport places are offered based on:
-
route capacity
-
operational feasibility
-
existing passenger numbers
-
service availability
-
timing requirements
A student's place is only confirmed when:
-
WSCST offers a transport place;
-
the required deposit or fees (if applicable) have been paid; and
-
enrolment has been formally accepted by WSCST.
​
--------------------------------------------
5. Bus Routes and Stops
Bus routes are designed to maximise safety, efficiency and reliability for all passengers. Residential addresses supplied during enrolment are used to assist in planning routes and determining convenient bus stop locations. WSCST reserves the right to:
-
establish bus stop locations;
-
decline requested stops;
-
relocate stops;
-
amend routes;
-
change timetables;
-
consolidate services; or
-
alter vehicle allocation,
where reasonably necessary for operational, safety or commercial reasons. Bus services operate to designated bus stops only and do not provide door-to-door transport.
​
--------------------------------------------
6. Refund & Cancellation Policy
WSCST is a privately funded community transport service. Every confirmed enrolment directly influences:
-
bus route planning;
-
vehicle allocation;
-
driver rostering;
-
operating costs; and
-
the availability of transport places for other families.
Because transport capacity is limited and routes are planned well in advance, cancellations may result in seats that cannot reasonably be filled. Accordingly, the following refund policy applies.
​
Deposits and Administration Fees
Any non-refundable administration fee specified during enrolment is non-refundable except where required by Australian Consumer Law. Where a deposit is identified as non-refundable at the time of enrolment, it is retained to offset planning and administration costs associated with reserving a transport place.
​
Parent Cancellation
If a parent cancels after accepting a transport place, refunds will be considered only in accordance with the published WSCST Refund & Cancellation Policy in effect at the time of enrolment.
​
WSCST Cancellation
Where WSCST is unable to provide the agreed transport service before commencement of the school year, any prepaid transport fees relating to the unavailable service will be refunded.
​
Australian Consumer Law
Nothing in this policy limits or excludes any rights available under the Australian Consumer Law.
​
--------------------------------------------
7. Fees, Payments and Refund Policy
Fees are payable by the due dates stated on invoices. Failure to pay fees by the due date may result in:
-
reminder notices;
-
suspension of transport services;
-
cancellation of the student's transport place; or
-
debt recovery proceedings.
Parents remain responsible for all outstanding fees until paid in full. See our Refund Policy here.
​
--------------------------------------------
8. Change of Residential Address
Parents must notify WSCST promptly if the student's residential address changes. A change of address does not guarantee that transport can continue from the new location. Additional travel fees may apply where route extensions are required.
​
--------------------------------------------
9. Student Behaviour
Students are expected to:
-
follow all lawful directions of the driver;
-
remain seated while the vehicle is moving;
-
wear seatbelts where fitted;
-
respect other passengers;
-
behave courteously;
-
avoid bullying, harassment or abusive language;
-
treat the vehicle with care.
Serious or repeated misconduct may result in suspension or permanent removal from the service.
​
--------------------------------------------
10. Parent Responsibilities
Parents agree to:
-
ensure students arrive at the bus stop before the scheduled departure time;
-
supervise younger students until boarding;
-
provide accurate emergency contact information;
-
promptly notify WSCST of relevant changes;
-
advise WSCST if a student will not be travelling for an extended period.
​
--------------------------------------------
11. Service Delays
Bus arrival times are estimates only. Traffic congestion, weather, road closures, accidents, mechanical issues and other circumstances beyond our reasonable control may result in delays. While WSCST will make reasonable efforts to operate services as scheduled, arrival times cannot be guaranteed.
​
--------------------------------------------
12. Extreme Weather and Emergencies
Services may be delayed, diverted, suspended or cancelled where necessary to protect the safety of passengers, staff or the public.
WSCST will communicate significant disruptions to parents as soon as reasonably practicable.
​
--------------------------------------------
13. Lost Property
Items left on buses will be retained for a reasonable period where practicable. WSCST accepts no responsibility for loss of personal property.
​
--------------------------------------------
14. Privacy
Personal information is collected, stored and used in accordance with the WSCST Privacy Policy.
​
--------------------------------------------
15. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, WSCST shall not be liable for indirect or consequential loss arising from delays, timetable changes, route changes or service interruptions. Nothing in these Terms excludes any rights that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.
​
--------------------------------------------
16. Complaints
Parents are encouraged to raise concerns promptly. Complaints should be submitted by email to info@wscst.org.au
WSCST will investigate complaints fairly and aim to respond within a reasonable timeframe.
​
--------------------------------------------
17. Changes to these Terms
WSCST may amend these Terms from time to time where reasonably necessary. The current version will always be available on our website. Continued use of the service following publication of revised Terms constitutes acceptance of those changes.
​
--------------------------------------------
18. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia.
Any dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales.
​
--------------------------------------------
Contact
Western Sydney Community School Transport (WSCST)
Website: www.wscst.org.au
Email: info@wscst.org.au