NSW Legal & Compliance

When a school, university, OOSH provider, Vacation Care service or OSHC centre books Coacharoo, they are placing their trust, and the wellbeing of children and young people, in our hands. Every decision we make is guided by that responsibility.

Our operations comply fully with all applicable NSW and national legislation, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) accreditation requirements, child safety obligations and vehicle roadworthiness standards. Every driver is vetted. Every vehicle is inspected. Every journey is covered.

We are not simply a bus company that ticks compliance boxes. We are an operator that has built compliance into the core of how we run our business, because when children are on board, nothing less is acceptable.

✔ TfNSW Accredited Operator (BOAS)
✔ All Drivers Hold Bus Driver Authority (BDA)
✔ All Drivers Hold Valid WWCC
✔ Drug & Alcohol Management Program (DAMP)
✔ Vehicles Inspected Every 6 Months
✔ Seatbelt Vehicles Confirmed on Booking
✔ Full Insurance Coverage
✔ Chain of Responsibility Compliant
✔ Driver’s Authority Card Displayed at All Times

All Coacharoo bus and coach services operate in full accordance with the following NSW and national legislation:

Coacharoo holds valid Bus Operator Accreditation issued by Transport for NSW under the Bus Operator Accreditation Scheme (BOAS). This accreditation is mandatory for any operator providing public passenger services in NSW.

BOAS is not a simple registration. It is a rigorous and ongoing assessment of our business, our people and our operating practices. To obtain and maintain accreditation, Coacharoo has satisfied the following requirements:

• Demonstrated financial viability
• Good repute, confirmed through background checks on our operators
• Approved and compliant operating depot
• Approved Safety Management Systems
• Ongoing compliance with TfNSW audit requirements

Our accreditation is reviewed regularly by Transport for NSW to ensure we continue to meet all required standards. Schools and educational organisations can verify our accreditation status directly with TfNSW at any time.

Every Coacharoo driver is rigorously vetted, licensed and authorised before operating any passenger service vehicle.

Coacharoo operates a formal Drug and Alcohol Management Program (DAMP) in full compliance with NSW transport legislation. All accredited bus operators in NSW are legally required to implement a DAMP covering all bus safety employees.

Our program includes:

• Random drug and alcohol testing of all drivers and safety employees
• A strict zero-tolerance policy for any impairment whilst on duty
• Pre-employment drug and alcohol screening
• Post-incident testing procedures
• Documented procedures, clear reporting systems and management protocols
• Staff education and awareness obligations

No Coacharoo employee performs any safety-critical duty under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This is non-negotiable. It is the law, and it is our standard.

All Coacharoo drivers display their Driver’s Authority card whilst on duty. This card, issued by Transport for NSW, confirms that the individual is authorised to operate a passenger service vehicle in NSW under the relevant legislation.

The card includes the driver’s:

• Full name and photograph
• Authority number
• Vehicle class authorisation
• Expiry date

Schools, excursion coordinators, OOSH services and parents are welcome to sight a driver’s authority card at any time before or during a service. If you have any concern about a driver’s authority, contact our office immediately.

Quotes: Request a quote online

Every Coacharoo bus, minibus and coach is accredited by Transport for NSW and maintained in full compliance with NSW roadworthiness, registration and heavy vehicle safety laws.

Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), all parties in the transport chain share legal responsibility for safety outcomes. Chain of Responsibility (CoR) is not limited to the driver. Accountability extends across the entire operation.

At Coacharoo, every person involved in the delivery of our services, operators, drivers, schedulers and support staff, understands and fulfils their obligations in relation to:

• Fatigue management and driver hours
• Vehicle condition and roadworthiness
• Passenger safety and load obligations
• Schedule and route planning
• Incident reporting and documentation

We do not push responsibility onto drivers alone. Safety is a shared obligation, and we manage it as such across every level of our business.

Coacharoo carries full and appropriate insurance coverage as required under NSW law. Our coverage includes:

• Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance, as required for all registered motor vehicles in NSW
• Public Liability Insurance, protecting passengers, schools and third parties
• Comprehensive Vehicle Insurance, covering our entire fleet

This coverage protects our passengers, the schools and organisations we serve, third parties and our own business in the unlikely event of an incident or accident.

Schools and OOSH providers can request written confirmation of our insurance coverage for their own due diligence and risk management records at any time.

Quotes: Request a quote online

Beyond individual driver and vehicle compliance, Coacharoo maintains comprehensive safety management systems across all operations.

Formal risk management frameworks are applied across all services, routes and operational decisions. Identified risks are documented, assessed and mitigated before services proceed.

Coacharoo complies with all TfNSW requirements for incident reporting, including driver misconduct, safety breaches and vehicle-related events. Reports are filed within the strict timeframes required by law.

All driver scheduling complies with NSW and national fatigue management obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law. No driver operates beyond their legally permitted hours.

All drivers are trained in emergency response procedures. Clear protocols are in place for medical emergencies, breakdowns, accidents and any situation requiring immediate action to protect passenger safety.

Transport for NSW conducts regular compliance audits of our accreditation, driver records and safety systems. Coacharoo also conducts its own internal audits and risk assessments on an ongoing basis.

We maintain full transparency with Transport for NSW in all reporting obligations. Schools and educational services are welcome to raise any compliance query directly with our team at any time.

Schools, OOSH services, OSHC centres and Vacation Care providers in NSW have a legal duty of care to ensure that any transport provider they engage is properly accredited, insured and compliant with all applicable child safety and transport laws.

Booking an unaccredited or non-compliant operator is not just a safety risk. It is a potential legal liability for your organisation.

When you book Coacharoo, you can be confident that:

For compliance enquiries, documentation requests, accreditation verification or to make a booking, our team is ready to assist. Ask for Rob (Rabaroo) or Colin (Colaroo).

DISCLAIMER: This page provides general information regarding Coacharoo’s compliance practices and applicable NSW legislative and regulatory requirements. It does not constitute legal advice. Legislation, regulations and regulatory requirements are subject to change. Schools, educational organisations and transport operators should seek independent legal advice or consult Transport for NSW directly for specific compliance obligations relevant to their circumstances. Coacharoo. Sydney, NSW.