Community transport eligibility

Principal 1: Affordable, door to door services for residents aged 65 years, residents living with disability or with limited transport to access retail.

The service will be available to residents who live independently to access a list of pre-determined retail destinations. Low level staffing support to assist participation based on an initial and annual assessment of risk to selves, others and staff will be required to use this service. Retail destinations are subject to change based on viability of route. Council will determine fees for service as part of its annual budget process. Community transport service is not available where the individual is funded for the activity under a package of care (NDIA or aged care).

Principal 2: Access to Council delivered social inclusion and wellbeing opportunities for older residents.

This service will be available to older residents and people living with disability or limited mobility who live independently to access a list of pre-determined Council operated programs. Low level staffing support to assist participation based on an initial and annual assessment of risk to self, others and staff will be required to use this service. Destinations are subject to change based on viability of route, will be reviewed quarterly and Council services will be prioritised within existing resources. Council will determine fees for service as part of its annual budget process. Community transport service is not available where the individual is funded for the activity under a package of care (NDIA or aged care).

Principal 3: Access to community programs and wellbeing opportunities for older people & people with disabilities where transport is not funded or provided by any other option.

This service will be available to older residents and people living with disability or limited mobility who live independently to access a list of pre-approved community-based programs. Low level staffing support to assist participation based on an initial and annual assessment of risk to self, others and staff will be required to use this service. Destinations are subject to change based on viability of route and will be reviewed quarterly. Council will determine fees for service as part of its annual budget process.

Participants or programs will be ineligible if the:

• organisation, program or activity is funded under National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
• organisation, program or activity is receiving aged care funding (including residential aged)
• organisation is commercial or activity is profit-making
• organisation, program or activity considered the responsibility of state or federal government to fund (e.g. education programs)
• key focus of the organisation, program or activity is to promote political, religious or spiritual beliefs
• organisation has entered into service or funding agreements with the Council to deliver agreed health and other supports, including transport.

Principal 4: Community approved community grant recipients

The annual community grant program includes in-kind community transport grants. Groups must meet eligibility criteria and be approved for a grant by Council resolution each year.

Principal 5: Availability to eligible community groups for self-drive hire

Approved community groups can hire a self-drive community bus to participate in community-based programs, subject to meeting hire criterion. Council reserves the right to apply restrictions on distance that can be travelled and length of time for hire.

Eligible hirers must:

• supply their registration number allocated by Transport Safety Victoria when booking.
• have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or an Auspice Organisation with an ABN and written consent;
• be not-for-profit and incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act or enacted under legislative provisions for charitable purposes; or
  supported by an Incorporated Association that is deemed to be a not-for-profit, as classified by the Australian Taxation Office (section 103A(2) (c) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936);
• hirer and activity must be servicing City of Stonnington residents only;
• have current Public Liability insurance of no less than $20,000,000;
• not be receiving funding for transport programs under another funding source (NDIA, Aged Care, Department of Education and Training, etc).
• not be promoting political, religious, or spiritual beliefs.

Download the Community Transport Principles