Student SmartRider

So, you’ve figured out the Student SmartRider is right for you, maybe you’ve even designated a spot in your wallet for it to live. Now, let’s learn how you can get your hands on one.

Primary students - initial card

There are two ways to get a Student SmartRider. You can use a manual application form or place an online order. The initial card is free if you use the manual application form.

Ordering with application form

Complete an Application for Student SmartRider form, have it authorised by your school administration, and mail it to the address shown on the form.

Ordering online

If your primary school is registered you can order online. To see if your school is registered check the Monitor WA website.

Secondary students – initial card

There are different ways of getting your initial Student SmartRider card depending on whether your school is a “participating school” or registered for online ordering.

Participating secondary schools

Check with your school’s administration to find out if it’s a participating school. A participating school automatically processes a Student SmartRider application for all new students, receives the cards and issues them to students.

Ordering online

Some secondary schools are registered for online ordering. To see if your school is registered check the Monitor WA website.

Non-participating schools

If your school is neither a participating school nor registered for online ordering, you'll need to complete an Application for Student SmartRider form, have it authorised by the school’s administration and send it to the address on the form.

Picking up a card in person

Once you have a completed Application for Student SmartRider form you can head to Monitor WA to purchase a Student SmartRider. The SmartRider will cost $5 (cheque or cash only) and no value can be added by Monitor WA.

Monitor WA is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 3.00pm and located at Unit 2, 17 Macadam Place Balcatta.

Home school students are entitled to a Student SmartRider and can apply for one a number of ways:

Online Ordering

• Visit the MonitorWA website and order your Student SmartRider
• Enter ‘Home School’ under the School Name field
• Entering the student's name and date of birth
• Complete the purchase process online.
• Your Student SmartRider will be mailed to you.

Manual Application

• Complete an Application for Student SmartRider form.
• Attach a copy of your ‘Home Education Certificate of Registration’ available from your Home Education Moderator in your region.
• Send the above documents along with along with a cheque or money order (if applicable) to the address on the form.

Interstate primary and secondary students may purchase a Tertiary SmartRider card for $5.00. The card will charge concession fares for a maximum of eight weeks. Interstate students are not eligible for the Student Fare.

How to obtain

You need to have proof of your student concession entitlement from the home state and complete an Application for Tertiary SmartRider form

Take your completed form and proof of entitlement to an InfoCentre or Retail Sales Outlet.

Replacement of lost or stolen card

You’ve looked everywhere and all you’ve managed to find is something wet and squishy at the bottom of your bag. It’s definitely not your SmartRider. That’s ok. We can organise a replacement card if you lose or damage your Student SmartRider card or if someone steals it. Firstly let us know it’s gone so we can put a hold on your remaining balance. See Lost or stolen cards for more info. The balance on your card will automatically transfer to your new card.

Please note that while you are waiting for a replacement Student SmartRider you will need an Interim Pass, which can be issued by your school. 

Ordering a replacement card during school term time

During school terms, use one of the following methods to obtain your replacement card.

• If your school isn't a participating secondary school, contact your school's administration. 
• If your school is a primary school or secondary school not registered for online ordering, complete the Application for Student SmartRider form, have it authorised by your school and send it to the address shown on the form with a $5.00 cheque or money order payable to “Monitor WA”.
• If your school is registered for online ordering, you may order the replacement card from the Monitor WA website.

Ordering a replacement card during school holidays

If you need a replacement Student SmartRider during school holidays, use one of the following methods.

• Complete the Application for Student SmartRider form, form and send it without school authorisation to the address on the form with a $5.00 cheque or money order payable to “Monitor WA”.
• If your school is registered for online ordering, you may order the replacement card from the Monitor WA website.

Transferring your balance

If you are ordering a replacement SmartRider your balance should automatically transfer to your new card, however if the balance does not automatically transfer please contact the Transperth InfoLine.

If you are moving from Primary School to High School and require a new SmartRider the balance on the old card won't automatically transfer, you will need to contact the Transperth InfoLine to arrange this.

Primary and secondary students are entitled to free travel on all Transperth services from Monday to Friday, from the first to the last school day of the year*. Student SmartRiders are issued with zero balance; you don't need to add any value on your SmartRider to receive the free travel, however SmartRiders must not have a negative balance. Students must tag on and off each journey to receive the free travel.

Students will be charged a concession fare on Saturdays and during the summer school holidays.

With the student fare comes a little responsibility – you should stand for adults, especially those with special needs such as seniors, people with disabilities and pregnant women.

If you don’t offer your seat when an adult is standing, a Transperth Authorised Officer may ask you to get up. If you refuse, we can suspend your entitlement to the student fare for 30 days. The suspension period will start seven days after we issue the suspension notice.

During the suspension period you can still use your Student SmartRider, however we will charge you the higher concession fare.

 *During the first month of Term 1, students will be able to travel for free while they wait for their Student SmartRider to arrive. From 1 March students must have a Student SmartRider to travel for free, or purchase a cash ticket. 

Student SmartRider cards expire on 31 March in the year following the student’s expected secondary school graduation.
This graduation year is determined using the student’s date of birth and the Department of Education’s mandatory school commencement rules.

• If the student is born between January and June:

Their card expires in the year they turn 18.

• If the student is born between July and December:

Their card expires in the year they turn 19.

If the Student SmartRider expiration date falls before the student has graduated, you may apply for an extension of concession for one year. You can do this by following the same process as obtaining a new card.

Students who require a Student SmartRider after the expiration of their extension will need to apply for a Tertiary SmartRider.

You may apply for a Tertiary SmartRider card through the normal replacement card process. This will give you a Tertiary concession and it will expire on 31 March in the year after you obtain it.