Local Fare Scheme – Airfare subsidy for regional and remote Queensland

The Local Fare Scheme is an airfare subsidy that aims to improve the standard of living of local residents in regional and remote Queensland communities by making air travel to neighbouring communities more affordable.

The airfare subsidy is available until 30 June 2021 for local residents who can demonstrate they currently live and have lived in a Local Fare Scheme region for at least the last 3 years. Residents may receive a discount of up to $400 for return airfare bookings when travelling between the following airports and Cairns: 

• Cape York: Aurukun, Coen, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Northern Peninsula, Pormpuraaw and Weipa. Map of local air routes (PDF, 1.67 MB)
• Gulf of Carpentaria: Doomadgee and Mornington Island. Map of local air routes (PDF, 128 KB)
• Torres Strait: Horn (Ngurupai), Badu, Talbot (Boigu), Coconut (Poruma), Darnley (Erub), Mabuiag, Kubin, Murray (Mer), Saibai, Sue (Warraber), Yam (Iama) and Yorke (Masig) Islands. Map of local air routes (PDF, 1 MB)

To be eligible for the scheme, local residents will be required to provide a letter from their local council to prove they currently live and have lived in a Local Fare Scheme region for the last 3 years. 

Conditions

• Up to $400 discount for return travel, including GST; up to $200 discount is applied to each one-way fare, including GST. Minimum fare payable is $99 each way, including GST, plus booking fees.
• Residents must book return travel, one way flights are not eligible.
• Residents must apply for and be issued with a Letter of Eligibility through their local council before being able to book discounted fares under the Local Fare Scheme.
• Discounted airfares under the scheme are only available through a local ticketing agent.
• Discount applies at the airline’s discretion.
• Discount cannot be applied to entry level airfares or tactical sale fares.
• Fare rules are in accordance with the fare type booked, set by airlines.
• Discount is for personal air travel only, not for employer paid or government use.
• Not to be used in conjunction with any other government travel subsidy.
• Use is limited to 12 times per financial year, per person.
• Only for use on scheduled air services to selected communities in Cape York, Gulf of Carpentaria and the Torres Strait.
• Not for use on charter services.
• The Department of Transport and Main Roads can change any aspect of the scheme at any time, including but not limited to discount amount, community scope, seat availability and eligibility requirements.

Steps for booking your flight

Step 1 — Apply for your Letter of Eligibility

Visit your local council and demonstrate (your local council will set requirements) that you currently live and have lived in a Local Fare Scheme region for at least the last 3 years. If approved, your council will issue you a Letter of Eligibility. Contact your local council for more information. 

If you have lost your Letter of Eligibility contact your local council for a replacement.

Step 2 — Buy your ticket

Visit your local ticketing agent to buy your ticket. 

Bookings can be made on behalf of family members if each family member has a Letter of Eligibility.

To access discounted flights through the Local Fare Scheme you must:

• present photo ID
• provide your Letter of Eligibility
• book a return flight from an eligible airport through the local ticketing agent
• complete travel by 30 June 2021
• advise the ticketing agent the reason for travel (this information is used by Transport and Main Roads to record data regarding the scheme use).

Step 3 — Travel

• Turn up for the flight
• Present photo ID

Depending on the type of fare you have booked you will need to contact your ticketing agent if you miss your flight or need to change it. 

If you miss more than 2 flights within a 12 month period you may not be able to receive any further discounted flights. 

For more information about the Local Fare Scheme email: aviation@translink.com.au.

Eligible airports and local ticketing agents

See below for eligible airports and local ticketing agent contact details within each region.

Cape York

Aurukun airport

Bamaga airport

Coen airport

Kowanyama airport

Lockhart River airport

Pormpuraaw airport

Weipa airport

Gulf of Carpentaria

Doomadgee airport

Mornington Island airport

Torres Strait

Horn Island airport

Badu Island airport

Coconut (Poruma) Island airport

Darnley (Erub) Island airport

Kubin Village airport

Mabuiag Island airport

Murray (Mer) Island airport

Saibai Island airport

Sue (Warraber) Island airport

Talbot (Boigu) Island airport

Yam (Iama) Island airport

Yorke (Masig) Island airport

Frequently asked questions

What is it?

The Local Fare Scheme is an airfare discount of up to $400* for return air travel administered through participating airlines and local Councils from selected airports in Cape York, Gulf of Carpentaria and the Torres Strait.

The Scheme originally commenced on 1 July 2015 and has been extended until 30 June 2021.

The Scheme aims to improve the standard of living in remote parts of Far North Queensland by reducing the cost of air travel to and from selected airports for eligible residents. Through financial assistance, the Scheme allows eligible residents to move around more frequently, enabling social and recreational benefits that in turn will help boost the local economy.

Eligible residents are those who can demonstrate they currently live in and have lived in a Local Fare Scheme Region for at least the last 3 years. To redeem the airfare discount, residents must apply for and be issued with a Letter of Eligibility through their local Council. Airfares booked under the Scheme must be booked through a local ticketing agent.

Minimum fare payable is $99 each way plus booking fees. A maximum of $200 off per flight. Return bookings only. Other terms and conditions apply.

* The Department of Transport and Main Roads has the ability to amend the discount, eligibility criteria and seat availability at any time.

Conditions

• Up to $400^ discount for return travel; up to $200^ discount is applied to each one-way fare. The minimum fare payable is $99^ each way, plus booking fees.
• Discount applies to return travel only.
• Residents must apply for and be issued with a Letter of Eligibility through their local Council before booking discounted fares under the Local Fare Scheme.
• Booking must be for return travel. 
• Discounted airfares under the Scheme must be made in person and are only available through a local ticketing agent.
• Discount applies at the airline’s discretion.
• Discount cannot be applied to entry level airfares or tactical sale fares.
• Fare rules are in accordance with the fare type booked and are set by airlines.
• Discount is for personal air travel only, not for employer paid or government use.
• Not to be used in conjunction with any other government travel subsidy.
• Only for use on scheduled air services to selected communities in Cape York, Gulf of Carpentaria and the Torres Strait.
• Not for use on charter services.
• Transport and Main Roads can change any aspect of the Scheme at any time, including but not limited to discount amount, community scope, seat availability, eligibility requirements and Scheme end date.

^ including GST.

Are flights from Far North Queensland to Cairns included in the Local Fare Scheme?

Yes, flights to Cairns are included, provided a return trip is booked.

Are flights from Cairns to Far North Queensland included?

No, only flights starting in selected communities of Cape York, Gulf of Carpentaria and the Torres Strait are included in the scheme.

Why are some airports excluded?

Some airports have been excluded as discounts available on existing services are thought to be sufficient for community needs. This includes communities serviced by long distance coach services.

When can I start booking travel?

Travel can be booked by, or on behalf of, Eligible Residents at any time, as long as the person for whom travel is being booked has a valid Letter of Eligibility.

How do I prove eligibility?

Local councils or authorities issuing Letters of Eligibility will require you to complete an application form and provide documentation proving that you currently live and have lived locally—that is, in a Local Fare Scheme region for that council or authority, for a minimum of 3 years. Your local council or authority can provide more information about ways to demonstrate this local residency requirement.

For residents that hold a current Letter of Eligibility from a previous residential community, you will also be required to request eligibility transfer. To enable you to do so, you should complete a 'letter of eligibility transfer checklist'. Your local council or authority can provide more information about ways to complete this requirement.

Residents that currently reside, and have resided in more than one Cape York, Gulf of Carpentaria, or Torres Strait Local Fare Scheme eligible community, over 3 continuous years, with no previous Letter of Eligibility, will also be required to request eligibility exception. To enable you to do so, you will be required to complete a 'letter of eligibility exception' checklist. Your local council or authority can provide more information about ways to complete this requirement.

Why do I have to have lived in a Local Fare Scheme region for a minimum of 3 years?

This criteria is based on feedback received from community members during consultation to ensure people who are genuine local residents benefit from the Scheme.

Can I book tickets for family members using the Local Fare Scheme?

Yes, you can book tickets for family members who are Eligible Residents. You just need a copy of their Letter of Eligibility and photo identification for that person. Family members you book travel for will be required to provide identification when travelling and this must reconcile with the booking that was made and be under the same name as the Letter of Eligibility.

What if I lose my Letter of Eligibility?

Contact your local Council office.

How do I book and pay for my airfare?

You must buy your ticket through a local ticketing agent. Payment can be made in any way accepted by the ticketing agent.

What is an Eligible Booking?

An Eligible Booking is one that satisfies all of the following requirements:

• Return travel: It must be a return booking for travel commencing from a ‘Scheme Airport’, being one of the airports included in the list under 'Eligible airports and local ticketing agents'
• First leg of travel: The first leg of the travel must originate from the Scheme Airport shown on the Letter of Eligibility issued to the Eligible Resident for whom the travel is booked – that is, the airport that is in the Local Area of the council or authority that issued the Letter of Eligibility.
• Scheduled air services*: For Cape York and Torres Strait eligible residents the booking must be for a scheduled air service to another Scheme Airport or to Cairns airport.

For Gulf of Carpentaria eligible residents, the booking must be for a scheduled air service to another Scheme Airport or to Cairns or Mt Isa airport. Bookings for charter services are not eligible for the discount.

• Time limits: Bookings can be made at any time, for travel that will be completed by 30 June 2019.
• Entry level and sale fares excluded: The discount applies to a range of fare types at the airlines discretion, but is not available in relation to entry level airfares or tactical sale fares.
• Fare rules: Fare rules are in accordance with the fare type booked, set by airlines.
• Personal travel: The booking must be for personal air travel only, not for business or government purposes.

*More information about this is set out under frequently asked questions earlier in this document.

I live in one of the outer Torres Strait Islands. If I want to travel to Cairns I’m required to connect to a second plane at Horn Island. Does that mean I get 2 discounts each way, totalling $800?

No. A person based on one of the outer islands travelling to Cairns is entitled to a discount of up to $400 for the full return trip. The discount does not reset when flying through a connecting airport.

How often can I use the scheme?

You can use the scheme for personal travel, in accordance with the conditions of the scheme, a maximum of 12 times during each financial year.

TMR may review this policy throughout the life of the scheme. Please check this page for any changes.

How far in advance can I book my travel?

Subject to availability, airline requirements or limitations and the travel timeframes specified under ‘What is an Eligible Booking?’ earlier in this document, travel can be booked at any time.

How long does the scheme run?

The Scheme commenced on 1 July 2015, initially on a 12 month trial basis. The Scheme has been extended until to 30 June 2021.

The Scheme may be extended, cancelled or a different scheme introduced after 30 June 2021. TMR also has the right to end the Scheme early or to make changes to any aspect of the scheme.

What happens if I miss my flight or need to change my flight?

This will depend on the type of fare you booked. Contact your ticketing agent.

Will I be penalised if I miss a flight?

If you miss more than two flights during a 12 month period, you may not be able to receive any further discounts from this scheme. The State Government must spend public money effectively and responsibly, so it is needs to make sure subsidies are not paid for flights which are not used.

How can I provide feedback?

You can provide feedback at any time by calling 13 QGOV or emailing aviation@translink.com.au.