Contract school bus route operator

State or territory transport departments, schools and school bus associations, and sometimes parents paying fares or fees.

Contract payments for each route, often based on distance, bus size and number of runs. Extra income can come from school excursions and charters outside school-run hours.

• Safe, calm driving with children on board
• Reliable early starts and punctuality
• Organising maintenance, rosters and paperwork
• Good communication with schools and parents

• Operator accreditation and driver authorisation rules differ by state and territory, so check with your state transport authority
• Working with Children Check (or equivalent) is likely needed for drivers, check your state's rules
• The right driver licence class for the bus size you plan to use
• Contracts may be tendered, time-limited or not renewed, so check the term and renewal conditions before buying a bus or route
• No school-run income in school holidays, so plan your cash flow
• Insurance, vehicle inspections, seatbelt and safety standards, and breakdown cover
• Workers compensation insurance if you hire relief drivers

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on whether you buy or lease a bus and whether you buy an existing route. Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $5,000 to $20,000.

Check operator accreditation and driver authorisation rules with your state transport authority, Working with Children Check requirements, the driver licence class for your bus size, and insurance, vehicle inspections and safety standards. Also check contract term and renewal conditions.

Not necessarily. There is no school-run income in school holidays, so plan your cash flow. Contracts may be tendered, time-limited or not renewed, so check the term before buying a bus or route. Estimates suggest at least about 20 hours a week.