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Harmonisation of disability parking permit schemes in Australia

What we are consulting about

We are seeking your advice about the following elements of the proposed scheme:

The submission form attached to this paper will help you to provide your input and views about the proposed scheme.

Details about the benefits of these proposed policies are provided below:

Part 1 - Nationally consistent eligibility criteria

A diverse range of eligibility criteria underpin the provision of disability parking permits across Australia.

It is proposed that nationally consistent eligibility criteria would operate across all states and territories to:

Proposed nationally consistent eligibility criteria

The following eligibility criteria, based upon functional ability, are proposed for permanent and temporary permits.

Organisations wishing to obtain a permit would need to continue to show evidence that they are transporting individuals who meet these criteria.

Permanent permit

Under the proposed scheme, you would be eligible for a permanent permit if:

  • Criteria 1: You are unable to walk and always require the use of a manual wheelchair or powered mobility device, or
  • Criteria 2: Your ability to walk is permanently and severely restricted and you sometimes require the use of a mobility or medical aid. This does not include a walking stick, shopping trolley or pram, or
  • Criteria 3: You do not use a mobility or medical aid but your ability to walk is permanently restricted by a significant medical condition or disability, which sometimes requires the physical assistance of another person and limits your access to the community.

Temporary permit

Under the proposed scheme, you would be eligible for a temporary permit if:

  • Criteria 1: Your ability to walk is significantly restricted on a temporary (rather than permanent) basis and you sometimes require use of a mobility or medical aid. This does not include a walking stick, shopping trolley or pram, or
  • Criteria 2: You do not use a mobility or medical aid but your ability to walk is restricted by a significant medical condition or disability, which requires the physical assistance of another person and limits your access to the community for the temporary period.

Temporary permits will be issued for a minimum of six months and a maximum of 12 months.


Part 2 - National minimum standards for parking permit concessions

Under the proposed scheme disability parking permit holders would continue to be entitled to use the reserved parking spaces that are marked with the International Symbol of Access (ISA).

Time limits and extensions currently differ across jurisdictions for disability parking permit holders in on-street parking and in some local government off-street parking spaces. This has resulted in considerable differences in the rules that apply when people travel between regions.

The proposed scheme aims to provide minimum standards for concessions for disability parking permit holders in all states and territories. This would allow jurisdictions across Australia to apply additional concessions above the minimum standard.

Government parking concessions do not necessarily apply to private parking stations owned and controlled by private companies.

Proposed national minimum standards for disability parking permit concessions

Under the proposed scheme, the following parking permit concessions would be available to permit holders:

National minimum standards for disability parking permit concessions

Permit holders may park in reserved parking spaces displaying the International Symbol of Access (ISA). The following concessions would apply in other parking spaces:

  1. If the parking sign is up to and including 30 minutes - up to one hour.
  2. If the parking sign is more than 30 minutes - twice the time limit.
  3. Parking meters – after the maximum period indicated on the meter has been reached, the time limits in points 1 and 2 apply.

Points 1 and 2 relate to territory and/or local government operated parking areas.


Part 3 - Nationally consistent parking permit design

Under the proposed scheme, only one uniform style of disability parking permit would be available for eligible disability parking permit holders and eligible organisations throughout Australia.

Two formats for this design are being considered (see diagram below). Option A would allow the permit to be attached to the windscreen. Option B would allow the permit to be hung from the rear view mirror once the vehicle has been parked (the permit would need to be removed before the vehicle is being driven).

The new permit design would:

Each state and territory scheme would implement the proposed national disability parking permit over time and provide mutual recognition for the permit design. Individual jurisdictions would continue to deal with administrative matters relating to issue of disability parking permits and any transition arrangements.

Information and support will be provided to those who enforce disability parking permit use and to other stakeholders who need to know what the new permit looks like.

Proposed national disability parking permit design

This diagram shows the proposed national disability parking permit design

Disability parking permit design

It is proposed that the main areas of the new design would:

  • be easily identifiable and readable
  • include the International Symbol for Access (ISA)
  • display security features, such as a permit number, an expiry date, hologram foil, shadow image, micro printing, and background print
  • include Australian images, such as The Southern Cross and the map of Australia, for identity when permit holders travel overseas
  • display limited state specific information on the back as well as the state, territory or local government logo/crest/name on the front
  • include a clear front pocket so credit-card-size permits with photos can continue to be used in NSW and those jurisdictions wishing to continue this practice.

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