Transporting children: regulations 102A to 102D

Last reviewed: 8 November 2026. Checked against regulations 24, 99, 102A to 102D, 168 and 175 of the Education and Care Services National Regulations on 8 November 2026.

What triggers the transport rules, the risk assessment checklist, what the authorisation must say, and the policy and notification duties.

When the transport rules apply

• They apply to any transport of a child by the service, or arranged by the service (such as a contracted bus).
• They do not apply to transport that is part of an excursion (regulation 102A); excursions have their own risk assessment and authorisation. See the excursion policy guide.
• Under regulation 99(4)(ca), a child may leave the premises when transported by, or on transport arranged by, the service in line with Division 7.
• Children who travel on their own between a school and OSHC are covered by the separate safe arrival rules: see the delivery and collection guide.

The risk assessment: regulations 102B and 102C

A risk assessment must be done before authorisation is sought (regulation 102B). It must identify and assess the risks to each child’s safety, health and wellbeing and say how they will be managed. Under regulation 102C it must consider:

1. the proposed route and how long the trip takes;
2. the pick-up location and destination;
3. the means of transport;
4. seatbelt and child restraint requirements under the law of each jurisdiction travelled through;
5. any water hazards;
6. the number of adults and children;
7. how many educators or other responsible adults are needed to supervise, and whether anyone needs specialised skills;
8. items to have on hand, such as a mobile phone and the children’s emergency contacts;
9. how children will enter and leave the premises and the pick-up point or destination; and
10. how children get on and off the vehicle, including how each child is accounted for each time.

For regular transport, a new risk assessment is not needed if one was done for that regular transport within the previous 12 months. See our risk assessment guide.

The written authorisation: regulation 102D

A child must not be transported without written authorisation from a parent or another person named in the enrolment record with that authority (regulation 102D). It must state:

• the child’s name and the reason for the transport;
• for regular transport, when it happens; otherwise, the date;
• the pick-up location and destination, and the means of transport;
• how long the child will be transported;
• the expected number of children and of staff and other adults supervising;
• seatbelt and restraint requirements; and
• that a risk assessment has been prepared and the transport policy is available at the service.

For regular transport, authorisation is needed once in 12 months, and it is kept in the enrolment record (regulation 161). See the authorisations policy guide.

Policy, application and notification

• Policy: a service that provides or arranges transport outside excursions needs transport policies and procedures that comply with Division 7 (regulation 168(2)(g)).
• New services: a centre-based service approval application must describe any proposed regular transport (regulation 24(ha)). See how to open a childcare centre.
• Notifying the regulator: a centre-based service must notify when it first starts and last stops providing or arranging regular transport (regulation 175(2)(f) and (g)), within 7 days. Family day care services are not required to make this notification.

Practical checklist for each trip

• A head count and named list before departure, on arrival and at every stop.
• Every seat checked after children get off, so no child is left in the vehicle.
• Correct restraints fitted for each child’s age and size.
• A charged phone, emergency contacts, first aid kit and medical plans on board.
• Ratios and supervision as set in the risk assessment, with a first aid trained educator where required.

Frequently asked questions

This page is a research summary, not legal or compliance advice. It is written in our own words from the sources linked on the page; confirm the position with your regulatory authority before relying on it for a compliance decision.