• Table of Contents
• Foreword
• Introduction
• Transition to and implementation of the new scheme
• What we are consulting about
• Part 1 - Nationally consistent eligibility criteria
• Part 2 - National minimum standards for parking permit concessions
• Part 3 - Nationally consistent parking permit design
• What we are not consulting about
• Information sessions
• Submissions
• Where to send your completed submission
• Next steps
• Privacy and confidentiality

Harmonisation of disability parking permit schemes in Australia

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Foreword

People with disability are faced with many barriers including those created by well intentioned but sometimes complex programs and systems.

This certainly applies to the many and varied rules and permits relating to disability parking schemes across Australia.

The Commonwealth Government is committed to working with state and territory governments to harmonise disability parking permit schemes.

Over the years many permit holders have told government about people using disability parking spaces when they are not eligible. Some of these same people also illegally use permits or copies of permits.

Widespread abuse of the system makes it difficult for legitimate permit holders to access parking when they need it. When travelling, permit holders also have to contend with different rules in each state, territory and local government area.

We are developing an Australian Disability Parking Scheme to ensure that there are clear, fair and robust policies to make it easier to identify those eligible for disability parking permits.

The proposed scheme will help applicants by making the rules easier to understand and better. It will also provide a single national permit that can be used wherever you go. This permit will replace more than 100 designs currently used across Australia.

We will be talking to people over the coming months to get their feedback on this proposed scheme. Please phone our hotline on 1800 630 740 to register to attend an information session. If you wish to use the TTY number you can call 1800 555 677.

I also encourage you to use the attached submission form to provide your feedback about the proposed scheme.

I commend this initiative to you as an example of how the nation can work together to provide opportunities for greater social inclusion for people with disability.

The Hon Bill Shorten MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services

Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction

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