Queensland Rail Travel’s policy allows an approved, capable carer to travel for free in seats on Queensland Rail Travel services when accompanying a customer with a disability who requires their care and assistance.

Capable Carer Definition - Queensland Rail Travel & Tourist

1. A carer provides personal care, support and assistance to a travelling customer due to disability, medical condition, including terminal or chronic illness, mental illness or is frail and aged.
2. A carer may be a young person under 16 years of age provided they can provide the required care and support.
3. Responsibilities for a carer on our services include help and support in any of the daily activities of the person being cared for.
4. It may include physical and personal care and assistance such as dressing, lifting, showering, and feeding. It also may include providing assistance to join or depart our services as well as luggage handling and movement around the train once onboard.
5. Carers may be responsible for the management of medications during travel and provide emotional, social or financial support throughout the journey.

Queensland Rail Travel and Tourist staff at staffed stations and on our services are able to assist customers and their carers in situations that require additional support however there are specific assistance requirements that staff are not able to provide to customers. These are listed in the section "Onboard and Station Staff Assistance"

An individual is not considered a carer for a customer merely because he or she:

(a) is the spouse, de facto partner, parent, child or other relative of an individual, or is the guardian of an individual; or

(b) Lives with an individual who requires care.

A Carer’s fare is accessed in the following two ways:

1. The customer requiring a carer (using Queensland Pensioner Rail Entitlements) must provide a letter from a doctor or a community organisation for people with a disability) with details of their disability and the requirement for a carer to travel with them. The letter allows access to carer’s fares and will be valid for 2 years from the date of issue.
2. The customer requiring a carer holds a Companion Card, the card can be used to access carer’s fares.

The following conditions apply in both circumstances above:

• Travel for carers must be the same class, carriage and journey as the accompanying customer they are providing care for.

• Additional charges such as berth fees and meals are not covered under the Carer’s Policy and must be paid by the customers.

• A family member may be approved as a carer and are expected to provide any carer support, including assistance with mobility and associated tasks joining and leaving the train and during the journey.

You can view details of our onboard and station staff assistance in Accessible Facilities.

Travel arrangements for Carer Travel