Resources
Safe Transport Victoria
Safe Transport Victoria (STV) is the first point of contact for schools in relation to bus accreditation. STV has guidance sheets for schools on their dedicated School buses webpage.
Applying for accreditation
Safe Transport Victoria has following information on their School buses for schools applying for accreditation:
- Bus Operator Accreditation application form
- Example of a completed Bus Operator Accreditation application form (excluding supporting documents)
Use the department’s accreditation checklist to ensure you have completed all the necessary components.
Management information system
Safe Transport Victoria has the following guidance on their School buses for schools that operate their own bus/buses to understand what is required for a compliant management information system (MIS):
- Management Information Systems Guidance – overview of the MIS components.
- Safety Policy Guidance
- Governance and Internal Controls Guidance
- Accountabilities and Authorities Guidance
- Bus Safety Worker Guidance
- Bus Safety Duties Guidance
- Alcohol and Drug Management Guidance
- Fire Extinguisher Requirements Guidance – the required number of fire extinguishers on a bus
- Devices for School Buses Guidance – complying with the requirements for bus warning lights and signs
- Accredited Number Plates Guidance – how to obtain accredited number plates for the bus
- Signage Accreditation Number Guidance – where to display the accreditation number on the bus
- Risk Register Guidance – using a risk register to manage bus safety risks
- Emergency Management Plan Guidance – what should be included in a school’s Emergency Management Plan for school buses
- Information Management Guidance – how schools must have a system to record and retain the documents required for accreditation
- Incident Reporting Guidance – how to report bus incidents to STV. Schools must also report incidents through eduSafe
The department has produced the following templates to assist schools in developing their MIS:
- Management Information System template – a consolidated document comprising all components of the MIS. It can be used by schools when applying for accreditation
- Bus safety policy template – can be used by schools as the basis for a Bus Safety Policy
- Governance and internal control arrangement template – can be used to record how the school will manage risk and maintain control and oversight of the bus service
- Position descriptions template – outlines the roles and responsibilities of all school staff involved in bus safety related activities
- Registered bus operator risk register template (with examples) (staff login required) – should be updated to suit the school’s specific context
- Accredited bus operator summary/fleet register template – can be used to record the size/complexity of the school’s bus operations
Maintenance management system
Safe Transport Victoria has the following guidance on their School buses for schools that operate their own bus/buses to understand what is required for a compliant maintenance management system (MMS):
- Maintenance Management Systems Guidance – information about documenting the servicing and maintenance of buses
- Bus Safety Inspections Guidance – summary of the bus inspections required to remain compliant
- Pre-trip Inspection Guidance – what safety checks a school must complete before a bus trip
- Defect Identification and Clearance Guidance
- Vehicle Safety Inspection VSI Guidance
- Internal Audit Guidance
The department has produced the following templates to assist schools in developing their MMS:
- MMS policy and procedure template
- Accountabilities and authorities register – can be used to record the individuals or organisations responsible for activities required to be undertaken by accredited bus operators
- Driver qualifications and training record – can be used to record the qualifications and training of persons driving the school bus
- Training register – can be used to record the training undertaken by school staff in relation to bus maintenance and safety
- Maintenance register – can be used to record the maintenance program for the bus/buses
- Pre-trip inspection checklist and record
- Defect clearance report form – used to report any defects found in the pre-trip inspection and how they were resolved
- Bus safety audit report template – can be used for the annual bus safety audit
Reviewed 21 February 2024