Safety around schools

Safety around schools

State and local government agencies manage road safety issues around schools. School principals must approve any request to contact an agency. School communities also play a role in keeping children safe around schools. Some safety programs need active participation by community members. 

Parent/student behaviour outside the school

The NSW Police Force and council officers enforce NSW Road Rules.  

When it comes to local issues, information and education programs can help manage behaviour like illegal parking, unsafe crossing, and pick-up and drop-off procedures. Schools can use the Keeping our kids safe around schools (PDF, 2.43 MB) fact sheets in newsletters and emails to promote safe behaviour. Schools can also work with the Road Safety Officer at their local council to raise awareness of road safety issues in the school area. 

Roads near schools

We help provide road safety measures around schools including: 

  • installing new school zones 
  • removing a school zone following closure of a school 
  • installing all 40km/h school zone signs, patches and dragon’s teeth markings 
  • operating times of 40km/h school zones 
  • installing and maintaining school zone flashing lights 
  • traffic signals. 

If your school is on a state road, we are also responsible for: 

  • pedestrian crossings 
  • changes to parking restrictions 
  • road surface repairs 
  • installing and maintaining all signs 
  • installing or moving a bus zone/stop. 

Call 13 22 13 to talk to us about school zone safety in your area.

If your school is on a regional or local road, your local council is responsible for: 

  • parking e.g. changes to restrictions and signs 
  • road repairs 
  • pedestrian crossings 
  • installation of traffic-calming devices including speed humps and roundabouts 
  • off-road shared paths, cycle paths and walking trails 
  • new and replacement children’s crossing flags 
  • courtesy speed checks 
  • installing or moving a bus zone/stop 
  • footpath installation and maintenance 
  • road signs maintenance 
  • road surface repairs. 

The Office of Local Government website lists the contact details of all local councils in NSW. 

Local Traffic Committees are formed by many councils to review safety and traffic-related matters on local roads. If your local council has a Road Safety Officer, they can assist with promoting safe road user behaviour around schools. 

School community initiatives

Children Crossing flags

School principals can display Children Crossing flags at children’s crossings that aren't staffed by a School Crossing Supervisor. Children’s crossings only operate when flags are displayed at times approved by local councils. 

Principals can find details of the Children’s Crossing flag process in the Supplement to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices in Part 10: Pedestrian control and protection (page 9)

Drop-off and Pick-up zones

School communities can work with their local council to create a roster of adult volunteers to start a school Drop-off and Pick-up. 

Law enforcement around schools

Community-based police operate in Local Area Commands and are responsible for: 

  • enforcing all speed limits, including the 40km/h speed limit in school zones 
  • enforcing parking restrictions 
  • promoting voluntary driver compliance around schools 
  • addressing illegal or unsafe driving behaviour. 

The NSW Police Force website lists the details of all Local Area Commands in NSW. 

Council rangers are responsible for the enforcement of parking restrictions. 

The Office of Local Government website lists the contact details of all local councils in NSW. Address correspondence to your local council to the General Manager. 

Bus safety around schools

School bus stops

Appointed school bus stops

We, together with  local government representatives, worked with BusNSW and other bus stakeholders to develop a guide for appointed school bus stops.

Sometimes referred to as ‘fixed’ or ‘formal’ bus stops, appointed school bus stops are those regularly used by school children. Appointed school bus stops are sometimes established solely for school buses, but are usually also used for other route services.

The Guide to Appointed School Bus Stops (PDF, 439.6 KB) has been developed to help councils and our staff determine appropriate and consistent locations, features and layouts for appointed school bus stops in both urban and rural areas, and on roads managed by councils and Transport for NSW.

The guide does not provide regulations and requirements for bus stops situated at schools and school zones. These form part of a ‘school bus stop zone’ as described in NSW Road Rules 2008.

Informal school bus stops

In NSW, there are thousands of informal school bus stops, particularly in rural and regional areas. Informal school bus stops aren't sign-posted or developed as formal bus stops.

Transport for NSW worked with BusNSW and other bus stakeholders to develop Advice for choosing locations of informal school bus stops (PDF, 104.48 KB).

This advice is available to help anyone involved in selecting or reviewing locations for informal school bus stops.

Bus safety responsibilities 

We encourage safe travel for all school students. We're responsible for: 

  • Student behaviour on buses. 
  • Developing and reviewing the Student Code of Conduct for students travelling on buses. This includes information for parents, carers and transport operators. This is done in consultation with schools, bus operators, parent groups and bus driver representatives. 
  • Promoting school bus safety education. 
  • Approving the location of bus stops with local councils. 
  • Installing or moving a bus stop with local council. 
  • School Student Transport Scheme. 
  • Administrating contracts for school bus services. 
  • Changes to school bus routes or timetables. 
  • Authorisation and licensing of bus drivers. 
  • Accreditation of bus operators in NSW. 

Private bus and coach operators in NSW 

Private operators provide school bus services in Sydney and across NSW and are responsible for: 

  • student behaviour on buses.

Find out more about Bus and coach operators in NSW . 

Transport for NSW 

Transport for NSW provides information for drivers and operators of buses and coaches and is responsible for: 

  • authorisation and licensing of bus drivers 
  • accreditation of bus operators in NSW