Complying with child safe standards as a transport provider

Transport providers/operators who provide transport services specifically for children are child safe entities and must comply with the 10 Child Safe Standards and Universal Principle from 1 April 2026.

This includes transport providers who provide school services under contract to the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), including:

• school bus or ferry services
• specialist school transport for students with disability (provided in buses, taxis, or booked hire vehicles)
• SEQ Urban services or Regional Urban Bus services that include school transport services.

You must also comply if you provide any of the following services:

• school transport provided under private arrangements with a school (such as chartered transport for school excursions)
• transport provided by schools or childcare centres
• taxi and booked hire services provided specifically for children (such as services specifically targeted at teenagers or minor to travel unaccompanied).

This is a requirement under the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 which commenced 1 October 2025 and aims to protect Queensland children from harm when they interact with businesses and organisations.

This guidance provides information on compliance and best practice to help you understand and apply the Child Safe Standards and Universal Principle.