How to pay for public transport in Australian cities
Cards, contactless payment and children's fares for buses, trains and trams in every state and territory.
In short
Cities have buses, and some also have trains, trams or ferries. You usually tap a travel card or a bank card on a reader when you get on, and in most cities when you get off too. The fare is charged automatically.
Rules in each state and territory
Tap your state to see its rules.
South Australia
Adelaide Metro says Tap and Pay works on all buses, trains and trams. You tap a Visa, Mastercard or American Express card, or a phone or device set up with one.
What you need to know
- Tap and Pay is charged as a regular fare and is valid for 2 hours from the time you tap
- If you are entitled to a concession or student fare, Tap and Pay may not be your best option. The Adelaide Metro Buy & Go app has the full range of tickets and passes, and a metroCARD is the other way to pay
- Accompanied children under 5 travel free
- Students get concession rates with an approved student ID, arranged by their school
Adelaide Metro InfoLine: 1300 311 108 (7am–8pm daily).
Adelaide Metro: Tap and Pay ↗Adelaide Metro: timetables and live info ↗
Last checked 8 Oct 2026.
New South Wales
In Sydney and nearby areas you tap on and off with an Opal card, or with a contactless credit or debit card or phone.
What you need to know
- A contactless card or device is charged the adult Opal fare and gets the same benefits as an adult Opal card
- Always tap on and off with the same card or device
- Children aged 3 and under travel free
- Children aged 4 to 15 need a Child/Youth Opal card to get child fares. A bank card is charged the adult fare
- Opal cannot be used on NSW TrainLink long-distance services, and regional buses use a separate system
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Victoria
Victoria's public transport uses the myki card. Children under 18 now travel free with a Youth myki.
What you need to know
- Children aged 4 and under travel free and do not need a myki
- From 1 January 2026, under 18s travel free with a Youth myki, which costs $5. They should still tap on and off
- Paying with a bank card or phone has recently been rolled out on trams and at train stations where myki is accepted, for full-fare passengers only
Contactless payment is being introduced in stages, so check the official page for where it works today.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Queensland
Translink says all public transport fares in Queensland are 50 cents a journey, however far you travel and however you pay.
What you need to know
- In South East Queensland you can pay with a go card or a contactless Visa, Mastercard or American Express card or device
- Tap on and off with the same card or device. Each person needs their own
- Children aged 4 and under travel free and do not need a card
- Older children can use an orange child go card, which also gives free weekend travel
Translink's pages give slightly different age ranges for the child go card (5 to 14 or 5 to 15), so check before you buy.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Western Australia
In Perth you tag on and off with a SmartRider card, or with a contactless Visa or Mastercard.
What you need to know
- A bank card is charged the standard cash fare and cannot get concession or student fares
- Children aged 4 and under travel free
- Children aged 5 to 14 pay a concession fare without needing proof
- School students with a Student SmartRider travel free Monday to Friday during the school year
- Travel is free on Sundays when you tag on and off with a SmartRider or bank card
Free travel and fares (Transperth) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Tasmania
Metro Tasmania says its buses are free for everyone across Tasmania until 30 June 2027, with no fare or Greencard needed.
What you need to know
- After the free period, the Greencard is Metro's smartcard: you tap it when you board
- Children under 5 travel free with a responsible person
The free travel covers all bus services statewide, including government-contracted school buses, per Metro Tasmania.
Greencard and fares (Metro Tasmania) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra uses MyWay+. You tap on and off with a MyWay+ card, or with a Mastercard or Visa or phone linked to your MyWay+ account.
What you need to know
- American Express is not accepted
- Link your bank card to a MyWay+ account so you get the right fare or discount
- Children aged 5 and under who are not at school travel free, once registered in your MyWay+ account
- School students pay a student fare and need a MyWay+ account in the student's own name
- Tap on and off every time, even when travel is free
Ways to pay (Transport Canberra) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Northern Territory
The NT Government says all public bus services in Greater Darwin and Alice Springs continue to be free from 1 July 2025.
What you need to know
- When fares apply, the Tap and Ride card is used: you tap on when boarding and do not tap off
The free-travel statement was more than a year old when read, so check the official page before you travel.
Bus tickets and fares (NT Government) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.