Guidelines for Issuing the NSW Proof of Age Card
Target group
Young people under 16 years of age who are not required to carry a concession card to obtain a child fare but who may look older than their age.
The Proof of Age Card confirms the holder's entitlement to a half fare concession until their 16th birthday.
Services/travel covered
The Proof of Age Card provides concession fares on the following:
- Metropolitan and Outer Metropolitan bus services (both government and privately operated)
- Sydney Ferries services
- Newcastle Ferries services
- CityRail services (including AirportLink)
- CountryLink services
- Great Southern Railway services
It does not apply to special and premium services, charter services or privately operated tourist services.
Card issuers
Proof of Age Cards are generally issued by the school the young person attends.
Schools must register with RailCorp Passes and Concessions Office to become an authorised third party issuer. Each school must specify the person (or persons) in their employ whose responsibilities include transport concession card issuance. Only these persons are authorised to issue concession cards.
Issuance of transport concession cards may not be contracted out to other organisations.
Outside school terms, or for children being home schooled, RailCorp's Passes and Concessions Office can issue the Proof of Age Card, on provision of evidence of the applicant's identity and age.
Application forms and concession card stock
There is no application form for the Proof of Age Card. However, schools must keep records of the serial number of each card (or replacement card) issued and the student to which it was issued.
Prior to the commencement of each academic year, the RailCorp Passes and Concessions Office provides concession supplies to schools registered as third party concession card issuers. These supplies include:
- Cardboard Proof of Age Card stock. (Schools place their orders with RailCorp in November each year and supplementary orders can be made as the need arises); and
- Annual reconciliation forms.
Note: RailCorp security foils are NOT required for the Proof of Age Card.
Eligibility assessment
Applicants must be under 16 years of age (i.e.: eligible for a "child" fare).
Procedures for issuing the card
The issuer must verify the applicant's identity and eligibility for a Proof of Age Card, then print the applicant's full name, home address, current age and the date that the applicant turns 16 on the Card.
To be valid, the card must be signed by the person authorised to issue the card and the applicant.
Period of validity
The card is valid until the applicant's 16th birthday. After that date, the young person will need to obtain a NSW School Pupil Identification Card (Form 202) (if they remain at school).
Replacement cards
Replacement cards are issued by schools or RailCorp's Passes and Concessions Office.
Fees
No fees apply for the card or any replacement cards.
Records to be kept
Schools must keep a record of:
- The name of all students issued with a Proof of Age Card and the Card serial number;
- The name of all students issued with a replacement Proof of Age Card and the Card serial number along with the date of issue and reason for the replacement.
These records are auditable and must be included in an annual reconciliation statement provided to RailCorp on the designated form at the end of each year.
