Travel concessions for assistance animals

The Assistance Animal Permit enables a person with disabilities to travel on public transport with a certified Assistance Animal.

Eligibility

• People with a disability, as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) or the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW), who rely on the assistance of an animal that has been trained to alleviate the effects of their disability, can apply for a permit.
• The assistance animal is required to meet training standards so that it assists the person with the disability to use public transport effectively, and to ensure it does not pose any risks or disruptions to other passengers or staff.
• To obtain a permit, certification must be provided to show that the animal has been trained to an acceptable standard by an accredited independent training organisation, and that it alleviates the effects of the person's disability.
• People travelling with a guide dog, a hearing dog (accredited by Lions Australia Hearing Dogs) or a police dog, are not required to obtain an Assistance Animal Permit as these animals are easily recognisable as being highly trained and do not pose any risks to other passengers or staff. However, if the owner is requested by a transport officer to provide proof of the dog's status as an assistance animal, they will need to provide a copy of the animal's certification as a guide, hearing or police dog.
  • The owner can apply for an Assistance Animal Permit if they consider a permit would be useful in confirming their entitlement to travel with the animal on different types of services.
• Animals are generally not permitted on public transport services if the handler does not hold an Assistance Animal Permit, or if their animal is not a certified guide dog, hearing dog, police dog or assistance animal/police gog in training.

Concessions

The Assistance Animal travels for free, and the owner pays their normal fare (which may be full fare, concession fare or free travel, depending on their concession status).

The Assistance Animal Permit is valid for use in NSW on all CityRail, CountryLink, State Transit, Light Rail and Sydney Ferries services, and on taxi, private bus and private ferry services.

For travel with other services not listed above, permit holders should contact the operator prior to travel to find out whether the Assistance Animals Permit is covered.

Assistance Animal Permit

The Assistance Animal Permit has a photo of the nominated assistance animal on it and cannot be used for another animal.

Where to apply

Download an application form (pdf 31KB) or obtain a form from the RailCorp Passes and Concessions office, or the NSW branch of Vision Australia or Guide Dogs Australia.

Completed application forms should be submitted to the RailCorp Passes and Concessions office.

How long a permit can be used

Permits are valid for 12 months to the expiry date shown.

Fees

No fees apply.