Business and entity
An ABN and a clean entity structure. You declare controlling members and any interests in other ASTP contractors, supported by ASIC documentation where relevant.
ASTP Provider Registration ยท New South Wales
Become a registered provider under the Assisted School Travel Program.
The ASTP is the NSW Department of Education program that transports students with disability to and from school. Registration runs through a formal prequalification scheme on buy.nsw, and most applications fail on detail, not eligibility. Enrolla prepares your application properly the first time.
Independent consultancy. Fixed fee of $7,500 $4,999 AUD. No affiliation with the NSW Department of Education.
12,800+Students transported to and from school each day
3,200Daily transport runs delivered across NSW
560+Contracted providers currently on the scheme
Always openThe scheme accepts new applications year-round
01
The program
A long-term government contract, if you can get through the door.
The Assisted School Travel Program arranges free specialised transport for NSW students with disability who cannot travel to school independently. The Department of Education contracts private operators to run these services. Each contracted journey is called a run, and operators are paid for the runs they are allocated.
To be considered for runs at all, you must first be admitted to the ASTP prequalification scheme (SCM100001), managed through the buy.nsw Supplier Hub. The application is assessed by a panel against scheme-specific criteria. It is not a simple registration form. Applicants must demonstrate management capability across operations, data systems, communications, fleet and human resources, and prove financial capacity through an independent accountant.
For approved providers, the work is real. Runs are paid at daily rates based on loaded kilometres: under the 2026 Term 1 and 2 schedule, minimum daily payments start at $192.87 for a sedan and $298.66 for a wheelchair vehicle, rising well beyond that for longer runs. A provider operating five runs is running a genuine small business on a government contract.
But demand for places is strong and the panel rejects applications that fall short in any area. We have seen otherwise capable operators knocked back over things as small as a missing letterhead or a date on a supporting letter.
02
What registration takes
Eight components, and every one of them is assessed.
Insurance
Certificates of currency for public liability insurance to the value of $20 million and workers compensation cover for all employees.
Personnel screening
Every driver and staff member must hold a current Working With Children Check and pass a National Police Check, and is independently vetted by the Department's Probity Unit before performing any service.
Drivers and vehicles
Drivers need a full unrestricted licence, a commercial driving medical and current first aid. Vehicles must be under 15 years old with comprehensive insurance and an annual safety check. Both are declared on the ASTP driver and vehicle list forms.
Transport area
The Transport Area Distance form, demonstrating genuine capacity to service the areas you nominate.
Management capacity
Five written submissions covering workplace management, electronic data management, communication systems, fleet management and human resources. This is where most applications are lost.
Financial capacity
A signed letter on official letterhead from an independent practising accountant, verifying you can maintain vehicles, pay drivers and operate the number of runs you apply for.
References
Two letters of reference with contact details the Department can verify.
New applicants must apply at Phase A (1 to 5 runs) and can scale to higher phases only after operating successfully. Subcontracting is not available to Phase A providers.
03
Our service
One engagement. Everything handled.
Free
Eligibility assessment
Before any fee is paid, we review your situation honestly. If you are unlikely to qualify, we tell you so and explain exactly what would need to change. We would rather turn away work than lodge an application that will fail.
Included
Structure and readiness
Advice on entity setup, insurance requirements, screening checks, and the driver, vehicle and transport area forms, so your evidence is complete before anything is lodged.
Included
Application drafting
We draft your five management capacity responses with you, grounded in your real operation. These answers decide the outcome, and we know the standard the panel expects.
Included
Financial capacity letter coordination
We brief your accountant on precisely what the letter must state and how it must be presented, matched to the run capacity you are applying for. Letters that miss this standard are a leading cause of rejection.
Included
Lodgement and follow-through
Set-up of your buy.nsw Supplier Hub profile, lodgement of the application, and responses to any panel requests. If the panel asks for amendments, we manage the resubmission at no extra cost.
04
How it works
From first call to registered provider.
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Eligibility consultation
A frank conversation about your business, vehicles, finances and intentions. You leave knowing whether registration is realistic and what it will take.
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Document preparation
We issue you a tailored checklist and work through it together: entity documents, insurances, screening checks, driver and vehicle details, references.
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Application drafting
We write and refine the management capacity submissions and coordinate the accountant's financial capacity letter to the panel's standard.
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Lodgement
Your application is lodged through the buy.nsw Supplier Hub with every section complete and every attachment in order.
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Panel decision and beyond
We respond to panel queries and manage any amendments. Once approved, we hand over with practical guidance on run allocation and staying compliant.
05
Why Enrolla
We have done this before, including the hard parts.
Enrolla was founded after guiding real applicants through the ASTP scheme, including applications that were initially rejected and then approved on resubmission. We have read the panel's rejection letters. We know it declines applications when management capacity answers lack operational detail, and when financial capacity letters do not match the run phase applied for, right down to formalities like letterhead and dating.
That experience is built into every engagement: we prepare your application against the reasons applications actually fail, not against guesswork.
Specialists, not generalists
We do one thing: ASTP provider registration. Our templates, checklists and drafting standards exist for this scheme alone.
Honest gatekeeping
The free eligibility check is genuine. If your financial position or setup will not support Phase A, we say so before you spend a dollar.
Fixed fee, shared goal
One price covers the engagement through to a decision, including a resubmission if the panel requires changes.
06
FAQ
Can you guarantee my application will be approved?
No, and you should be wary of anyone who says otherwise. Admission to the scheme is decided solely by the ASTP panel. What we offer is an application prepared to the standard the panel expects, informed by real approvals and real rejection letters, plus a managed resubmission at no extra cost if amendments are requested.
Do I need to own vehicles before applying?
You need to demonstrate a credible fleet plan with primary and relief vehicles that meet the ASTP's designated vehicle requirements, and financial capacity to maintain them. We advise on the right sequencing during your eligibility check so you do not over-commit before approval.
How many runs can I start with?
New providers must apply at Phase A, which covers 1 to 5 runs. Higher phases (up to Phase K, 101 or more runs) become available progressively as you build a track record with the program.
How long does registration take?
Preparation typically takes two to four weeks depending on how ready your documents are. Applications are then assessed periodically by a panel of senior ASTP officers, so panel timeframes vary. If an application is unsuccessful, a written review can be requested within 10 business days, and applications can be amended and resubmitted.
What are runs actually worth?
Runs are paid at a daily rate based on loaded kilometres, with a minimum payment equivalent to 30 kilometres. Under the 2026 Term 1 and 2 schedule, daily minimums range from $192.87 (sedan) to $298.66 (wheelchair vehicle), and a 100 kilometre run pays roughly $395 to $582 per day depending on vehicle type. Rates are republished by the Department each half year.
Can I apply as a sole trader?
Yes. Sole traders can and do get approved. You will list yourself as the controlling member with 100 per cent distribution. We advise on whether a sole trader or company structure suits your plans during the eligibility check.
What does being approved actually get me?
Admission to the prequalification scheme makes you eligible to be allocated runs by the ASTP. It is the entry ticket, not a guarantee of work. Run allocation depends on demand in your transport areas, which is one of the things we assess honestly during your eligibility check.
Is Enrolla part of the NSW Government?
No. Enrolla is an independent private consultancy. We are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the NSW Department of Education, buy.nsw or any government agency. You can apply to the scheme yourself at no charge; our service exists for people who want experienced hands on their application.
Free eligibility check
Tell us about your plans.
Send through a few details and we will come back to you within one business day with an honest read on your eligibility and the next steps. No cost, no obligation.
- Response within one business day
- Straight answer on whether you are likely to qualify
- Clear quote before any engagement begins
Prefer email? Write to us at info@enrollau.com