Struggling families in Rockhampton and Emerald will receive free public transport to and from school as part of more than $22 million in cost-of-living support from the State Government.
The funding will expand the Student Travel Assistance Scheme (STAS), which provides parents with financial support to transport their children to and from school.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads program is designed to help overcome barriers such as distance, income or isolation, that may prevent a student from receiving an education.
About $18 million will fund the expansion over the next three years, with the Palaszczuk Government committing a further $4.3 million to continue growing the scheme.
The cost-of-living relief is available to families that meet the eligibility criteria, which has also been expanded with children in shared care arrangements, living at two address also able to receive support.
Households can apply for up to five children to be covered by the Student Travel Assistance Scheme.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government understands many families are feeling the cost of living around kitchen table and the government wants to do what it can to help make thing easier.
“We’ve been offering this support to families in drought affected and remote communities and the feedback is that it has really helped them,” he said.
“We’re now expanding the criteria, for shared care arrangements, so children that live between two homes can have their travel costs covered as well.”
STAS has already supported more than 7000 students across the region.
Full eligibility and guidelines are available on Transport and Main Road’s website.
Mr Bailey said single parents do a remarkable job in what can be difficult circumstances raising children and the government wants them to know that they understand their struggles and want to help.