New transport subsidy will help NSW preschoolers in the bush to access early learning

Families living in the most remote parts of New South Wales will find it easier to send their children to preschool with the trial of a new transport subsidy rolling out in 2022 to 90 participating preschools.

The Preschool Drive Subsidy pilot will offset part of the transport costs of driving children to preschool, saving remote families thousands of dollars per year, NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said.

“We want every child in NSW to have access to a quality preschool education no matter their location,” Mr Toole said.

“That’s why we’re trialing this subsidy which will allow eligible families to claim up to 70 cents per kilometre via car and 35 cents per kilometre via boat or motorbike at 90 participating preschools, where there is limited or no public transport.”

Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Preschool Drive Subsidy pilot is based on the existing and successful School Drive Subsidy, with up to $2 million being allocated to the new initiative.

“The School Drive Subsidy has proven to be effective in easing the financial burden of transport for families across regional NSW who have little or no access to public transport. Applying this formula to preschool children will offer the same benefits,” she added.

The Preschool Drive Subsidy pilot will be delivered through a partnership between the Department of Education and Transport for NSW.

The targeted per kilometre subsidy will be available for eligible families in remote NSW from Term 1, 2022, to offset part of the transport costs of driving children to participating preschools.