To view a copy of the Travel Authorisation for Unaccompanied Child/Children form click here

To view a copy of the Unaccompanied Child Parent Advice click here

Transwa is aware of the hazards and risks associated with a child or children travelling on our services. To reduce the risks for both the child/children and Transwa, the following policy has been adopted: 

- Children may travel on Transwa services without a responsible adult providing they are aged between ten (10) and fifteen (15) years of age and have permission from their parent or guardian. 

- A responsible adult is considered to be either the child’s parent or guardian or other responsible person aged sixteen (16) years or older who is nominated by the child’s parent or guardian.

Terms and Conditions: 

Children under the age of ten (10) years are not permitted to travel on any Transwa service unless accompanied by an adult aged sixteen (16) years or older.

Acceptance for carriage of children aged ten (10) to fifteen (15) years of age is based on both the parent’s/guardian’s authorisation for travel and their agreement that the child/children can travel independently without the protection, care, custody or supervision from Transwa employees, contractors or agents whilst in transit or otherwise.

Children aged between ten (10) and fifteen (15) years inclusive who are travelling unaccompanied on Transwa services require a completed and signed Travel Authorisation for Unaccompanied Child/Children form.

The above clause does not apply to travel on the AvonLink rail service (between Northam and Midland) unless such travel is part of a journey on a connecting Transwa service.

Transwa reserves the right, where health and safety are at risk, to require any child/children under the age of sixteen (16) years to travel accompanied by a responsible adult; standard fare conditions will apply.

If the child/children named on the form suffers from any medical conditions which may affect their travel or the safety of other passengers, the parent/guardian must advise the staff immediately and if requested provide a Medical Certificate from a qualified medical practitioner before the children will be permitted to travel.

Transwa’s standard terms and conditions of travel continue to apply and these can be a viewed at www.transwa.wa.gov.au.

These terms and conditions are subject to change without notice and Transwa recommends that parents and guardians verify requirements when booking. 

Proof of Age:

1. Transwa may at its discretion require proof of age or school attendance (secondary or tertiary) prior to agreeing to carry any child unaccompanied. Such proof must be presented upon request.

2. Acceptable forms of proof of age include Birth Certificate, Birth Certificate Extract or valid Passport. 

3. Acceptable forms of proof of school attendance are Student SmartRider and child’s date of birth (required for validation), school identification card showing date of birth or letter on the school letterhead confirming the student’s attendance, date of birth and the year the child is currently attending. 

Travel Authorisation for Unaccompanied Child/Children Forms:

1. Transwa reserves the right to refuse to carry an unaccompanied child if the Travel Authorisation for Unaccompanied Child/Children form is incomplete, not provided at the time and place of travel or is unsigned.

2. A completed and signed Travel Authorisation for Unaccompanied Child/Children form is required for each day of travel and must include the following information:

a. the name, age, departure and arrival location for each unaccompanied child travelling;

b. the name of the responsible adult for the unaccompanied child/children, including their residential address and telephone contact number;

c. if a different person, the name of the responsible adult bringing the unaccompanied child/children to the station or stopping place for boarding, including their telephone contact number;

d. the name of the responsible adult collecting the unaccompanied child/children at the final destination, including their residential or business address and at least two (2) telephone contact numbers; and

e. details of travel including the Passenger Number Reference (PNR), ticket number and date of travel.

3. By signing the Travel Authorisation for Unaccompanied Child/Children form the responsible adult:

a. accepts the additional conditions of travel described on the reserve of the form;  

b. acknowledges that Transwa, its employees, agents and contractors accept no responsibility for the protection, care (including medical), custody, control and or supervision of the child/children at any time or at any place, whether in transit or otherwise including the place of departure, the place of destination and/or other stopping places, whether shown as scheduled stopping places or otherwise; and

c. consents to Transwa, its employees, agents or contractors making any arrangements they consider necessary to ensure the child’s/children’s safe custody and well being at any time or place and to reimburse Transwa for any costs incurred in undertaking these arrangements.

Day of Travel:

1. The signed and completed Travel Authorisation for Unaccompanied Child/Children form must be provided to Transwa boarding staff or contractors at the time of travel.

2. The responsible adult must advise the boarding staff that the child/children will be travelling unaccompanied and should remain with the child/children at the origin point until the service has departed.

3. The unaccompanied child/children should have clear knowledge of their final destination and who has been nominated to collect them.

4. The responsible adult nominated to collect the unaccompanied child/children must be at the final destination point at the appropriate time to collect the unaccompanied child/children. Transwa may require identification from the responsible adult nominated for collecting the child/children if there is any concern shown by the child/children towards the adult.

5. Remind the unaccompanied child/children to avoid speaking to strangers, not to leave the rail station or road coach stop until collected at their destination and ensure they have sufficient entertainment materials, snacks and/or money to purchase meals and beverages on board.

6. The unaccompanied child/children must be dressed appropriately with adequate footwear.

Uncollected Children: 

1. Transwa will not leave an unaccompanied child/children at their destination if the responsible adult nominated for collecting the child/children is not present; nor will it delay the rail or road coach service to wait for the adult.

2. If the unaccompanied child/children is not met at the final destination by the nominated responsible adult or chooses to leave the station or stop of their own volition, Transwa staff will:

a.attempt to contact the responsible adult nominated to collect the unaccompanied child/children by telephone, or if not contactable;

b. attempt to contact either the responsible adult shown at the top of the Travel Authorisation for Unaccompanied Child/Children form or the responsible adult shown (if any) as boarding the child/children at the origin point.

c. inform the resposible adult contacted of the situation and seek their instructions.

d. services will not be delayed by more than ten minutes and when required instructions may be issued en-route.

e. if contact cannot be made and after waiting a reasonable time for unaccompanied child/children to be collected they will remain on the service or alternatively the child/children may be left at the local Police Sation.

f. Transwa may seek reimbursement for any costs incurred in undertaking arrangements they consider necessary for the child's/children's safe custody.

g. where the adult responsible for collecting the child/children fails to to so they should contact the Transwa Operations Help Desk on (08) 9326 2252 so advice may be provided or alternate arrangements can be made.