Bus attendant job description

Bus attendants typically need a Working with Children Check (required for school bus routes), basic first aid certificate, and strong customer service skills. While formal qualifications aren’t always required, certifications in disability awareness, child safety, or first aid are highly valued. The employer usually provides specific training on emergency procedures and passenger assistance techniques. Use HR software to track WWCC expiry dates and certifications.

Yes, if the bus attendant will be working on school bus routes or transporting children, a valid Working with Children Check (or equivalent state-based check) is mandatory. This is a legal requirement in all Australian states and territories. The specific name and requirements vary by state (e.g., WWCC in NSW, Blue Card in QLD).

Bus attendants do not need a driver’s licence as they are not driving the vehicle. However, some employers may prefer candidates with a current driver’s licence as it demonstrates responsibility and may be useful for occasional duties. The primary role is passenger assistance, not vehicle operation.

Look for previous experience in customer service, childcare, aged care, disability support or similar roles involving care and assistance of others. Experience in transport, education support, or working with diverse groups is valuable. For school routes, experience with children is particularly important. Attitude, patience and genuine care for passenger wellbeing often matter more than formal experience.

This depends on your operational patterns. Permanent part-time attendants work well for regular school routes with consistent schedules. Casual attendants provide flexibility for charter services, relief duties or variable demand. Many operators use permanent staff for regular routes supplemented by casuals. See our guide on casual vs permanent employment trends.

Under the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award, penalty rates apply for: Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and shift work outside ordinary hours. Casual employees receive a 25% casual loading. Specific rates depend on the classification level and type of work. Use award interpretation software to calculate rates accurately.

Under the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award, minimum engagement periods apply. Check the specific provisions for your operation type as minimums may vary based on shift type and employment category. Split shifts may apply for school bus routes with morning and afternoon runs.

Key elements include: position title and classification level, employment type, hourly rate, applicable award, main duties, work location and routes, shift patterns, required checks (WWCC, police check), physical requirements, uniform provisions and any specific safety responsibilities. Use our digital employment contracts to simplify this process.

Under the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award, rosters should be provided with reasonable notice, typically at least 7 days in advance where practicable. For school bus routes, rosters often follow the school term calendar. Using rostering software helps support compliance and gives staff visibility of upcoming shifts and route assignments.

Yes, split shifts are common for school bus attendants who work morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up runs. Under the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award, split shift provisions apply including maximum spread of hours and any applicable allowances. Be clear about split shift requirements in the job description.

Break entitlements under the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award depend on the length and nature of shifts. For longer shifts, meal breaks and rest breaks apply. On short school runs, the break between morning and afternoon shifts counts as unpaid time. Use rostering tools to manage compliance.

Track which attendants are trained for specific routes, have knowledge of regular passengers’ needs, and can handle particular vehicle types. Use skills tracking in rostering software to match attendants to appropriate routes. Consistency helps build relationships with regular passengers, especially on school and community routes.