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Bus drivers

I am a bus driver with a commercial company and I occasionally drive school students. Do I need a blue card?

No. 

Bus drivers employed by commercial bus companies that drive school students do not fall within a category of employment or business under the Commission’s Act and are not required to hold a blue card.  This is because the  services they are providing are directed at the public at large and are not directed mainly towards children.  

The Commission has no authority to process a blue card application from a bus driver where there is no direct employment relationship between the school and the bus driver. For example, a bus driver would not require a blue card in circumstances where they are contracted by a commercial bus company and not contracted directly by a school. 

In these instances commercial bus drivers are required under the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994 to obtain authorisation  to drive a public  passenger vehicle which includes criminal history screening by Queensland Transport.

However, if you are employed directly at a school / child care centre to drive their bus, you may be required to hold a blue card (please read below).

I am employed at a school to drive their bus.  Do I need a blue card?

Yes, unless an exemption applies under the ‘schools – employees other than teachers and parents’ category of regulated employment.

Please check the blue card requirements for :

• Paid employees
• Volunteer & students

Paid employees should  submit a ‘Paid employee (P) application form‘ (PDF, 146KB) and can commence providing services after they have lodged an application with the Commission.

Volunteer school bus drivers should submit a ‘Volunteer & Students application form’ (PDF, 147KB) and must not commence child-related work until after you have received a blue card.   

I am employed at a child care centre to drive their bus.  Do I need a blue card?

Yes, unless an exemption applies under the ‘child care’ category of regulated employment.

Please check the blue card requirements for :

• Paid employees
• Volunteer & students

Paid employees should  submit a ‘Child Care Paid employee (CCP application form‘ (PDF, 146KB) and can commence providing services after they have lodged an application with the Commission.

Volunteer school bus drivers should submit a ‘Child Care Volunteer application form’ (PDF, 145KB) and must not commence child-related work until after you have received a blue card.   

 

Last updated: 7 November, 2011

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