The Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS) and Youth Affairs Council Western Australia (YACWA) have today called on the State Government to consider extending free public transport for tertiary students in WA.
As cost of living pressures continue to plague Western Australians, the community sector is actively looking for levers that the State Government can pull to achieve long-term solutions for those doing it toughest.
The Ride to School Free Program was launched in January as a cost of living relief measure and was made available to primary and secondary school students, saving families an estimated $280 per child annually.
If tertiary-level students were to be included in this program, it would save them an average of $345 per semester.
WACOSS Chief Executive Officer Louise Giolitto said extending this program to tertiary students would be a low-effort, high-impact return for a large cohort of our community that is struggling with persistently higher living costs.
“As cost of living pressures continue to put a strain on the budgets of families and young people, the State Government needs to be looking for ways to provide targeted relief for those doing it toughest.
“Providing short-term sugar hits to everyone runs the risk of adding inflationary pressures which, ultimately, will leave everyone worse-off in this current economic environment. This is why we need to see more effort put into targeted relief, giving more people the help, they truly need.”
YACWA Chief Executive Officer Sandy McKiernan said extending the program would help many young people who are struggling to afford day-to-day living expenses as they attend tertiary education.
“Free public transportation would tangibly reduce weekly expenses and provide much-needed targeted relief for young tertiary students. The State Government needs to continue to fund measures that will relieve cost of living pressures for young people.
“Every young person, no matter their circumstances, should be able to access tertiary education and still afford everyday living costs. Free public transportation would make attending tertiary education more accessible and affordable for all young people.”
