How to access the commercial bus hire subsidy

Before making your bus booking:

• to check your eligibility complete our quick online form or
• contact our Community Recreation team by phone on 5261 0600 or by email at info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au

An officer will contact you to confirm your club/group subsidy eligibility amount so that you can book your bus.

As a guide, the following types of Surf Coast Shire-based not-for-profit community groups and organisations can access the subsidy:

• voluntary community groups, committees and organisations
• registered charities
• sports clubs
• schools.

Eligible groups can hire a bus through the following approved transport providers. They were selected through an expressions of interest process to ensure reliable, safe and accessible group transport options. Community groups need to abide by the transport provider’s terms and conditions.

Wave Rider
A family-run Torquay-based business providing transportation charters. Two Disability Discrimination Act-compliant 13-seat buses and one 24-seat bus available with fully licensed and accredited drivers. Servicing anywhere throughout Surf Coast Shire.

Coastal Chauffeurs
Torquay-based small business which offers professional, safe and reliable transport options. Accredited fleet of Mercedes vehicles. A personalised service that has fully licenced and accredited drivers who are highly attentive to any special needs or travellers requiring assistance with mobility.

Hutchinson Buslines Birregurra
Supplying safe and reliable bus transport at reasonable prices. Nineteen buses available with varied seating capacities. Driver included or self-drive options, as well as buses incorporating toilets and or Disability Discrimination Act compliance.

MyBus Geelong
Offering charters, group trips and tours, event transportation, school excursions, regional experiences and any other requirement needed by community groups. Established 2016 and provides private and corporate mini bus charters throughout the region and further afield, complete with driver. Buses can be hired for an hour, a half day, full day or even the weekend, dependent on the group’s needs.

Murrell Group
A family owned and operated local business with an extensive range of limousines and mini buses in their fleet with a genuine focus on customer service for passengers.

Surf Coast Transfers
Charter bus services ranging from 11 passengers up to 55 passengers, available for functions, festivals and tours.

Use our online form to submit your claim for reimbursement, after you have received your receipt from the transport provider.

Priority groups
These include older people, people with a disability, young people, and community groups who are transport-disadvantaged

• 100% subsidy for each booking
• maximum $1,500 each financial year
  
  

Other community groups
Including community organisations, charities, sports clubs and schools, etc.

• 50% towards the value of each booking
• maximum $250 per claim
• maximum $750 each financial year

What it’s for:

• Sport and recreation
• Health and wellbeing outings
• Educational based excursions
• Other local events and activities that promote social connectedness

What it’s not for:

• Personal or family purposes
• Celebrations or private functions
• Commercial purposes
• Transportation of equipment
• Organisations or groups who have access to their own buses
• Any activities involving the consumption or transportation of alcohol and/or drugs 

Please confirm with your transport provider if they provide a driver or if there is a self-drive option available.

We’ll track your total subsidy amounts, and let you know if you’ve reached the maximum. We encourage you to also track it on your end.

First , make sure you are eligible for a subsidy by

• completing our quick online form 
• or contacting our Community Recreation team by phone on 5261 0600 or by email at info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au

Then you can apply for the subsidy after your trip has taken place and you have received a receipt from the transport provider.

We encourage you to submit your subsidy applications in the financial year of your booking.

The subsidy will be available until the allocated budget is exhausted or until 30 June 2027 – whichever comes first.

We’re investigating funding or grant opportunities that will potentially offset transports costs for community groups and organisations from July 2027 onwards. When we know more, we’ll let you know.