The Vehicle Access Permit Scheme controls vehicle access and parking in areas that are for the primary use of pedestrians.
These areas are:
- Swanston Street, between Flinders and LaTrobe streets
- Bourke Street Mall, between Elizabeth and Swanston streets.
This scheme maintains reasonable access for vehicles that are required to service, deliver or pickup from businesses within these areas.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Vehicle Access Permit you must be servicing properties in Swanston Street or the Bourke Street Mall.
The requirement to access these areas must be verified by providing a letter from your clients. It must state the area to which you require access and the pick-up/drop-off points.
Vehicle Access Permits will not be issued to buses, coaches or taxis.
Cost
Vehicle Access Permits cost $11 for each vehicle per annum (or part thereof), per permit, per location.
How the scheme works
When the vehicle is parked the permit must be displayed on its dashboard, near the registration label, for parking officers to view. As long as the permit is clearly displayed and your vehicle is parked in accordance with the parking concessions, no parking infringements will be issued to the vehicle.
Where you can park with this permit
A vehicle displaying a Vehicle Access Permit is allowed to park:
- in areas marked 'Authorised Vehicles Excepted'
- during the times that the signs operate
- during the times that the permit is valid
- for no longer than the time limit on the permit.
Typically, the Vehicle Access Permits for Swanston Street are not valid between 7.30am and 9.30am, noon and 2pm, and 4pm and 7pm, and only allow parking for up to 30 minutes.
Typically, the Vehicle Access Permits for Bourke Street Mall are not valid between 7.30am and 9.30am, 11am and 2pm, and 4pm and 7pm, and only allow parking for up to 30 minutes.
Where you cannot park
This permit does not allow the holder to park in:
- 'No Stopping' areas
- bus stops
- construction zones
- taxi ranks
- 'People with Disabilities' zones.
Permit expiry
Vehicle Access Permits: Swanston Street and Bourke Street Mall expire on 31 October each year.
Interim parking permits
You can obtain an interim Vehicle Access Permit while your permit application is being processed. A maxium of one interim permit per year is issued for applicants that do not wish to apply for the annual permit. The interim permit is valid for a maxium of 14 days.
Application form
Download the Vehicle Access Permit: Swanston Street and Bourke Street Mall application form (PDF, 833kb) 
Submitting your application
Your completed permit application can be submitted by:
- Posting a copy of your permit application and payment to City of Melbourne, Permits and Approvals, PO Box 488, Melbourne VIC 3001.
- Emailing a scanned copy of your permit application to permits@melbourne.vic.gov.au.
- Faxing a copy of your permit application to (03) 9658 9912.
- Hand delivering your permit application and payment to Melbourne Town Hall Administration building, 120 Swanston Street, Melbourne, between 7.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Paying for your parking permit
Payment can be made by:
- Credit Card. Complete the credit card section on your permit application form.
- Cheque or money order. Make payable to “City of Melbourne” and marked “Not Negotiable” and return with your application.
- Cash will only be accepted when you are hand delivering your permit application to staff at the Melbourne Town Hall Administration building, 120 Swanston Street, Melbourne, between 7.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
- EFTPOS and Credit Card facilities are also available at Melbourne Town Hall.
If you have further questions or would like to provide comment or feedback about this permit, contact the City of Melbourne on (03) 9658 9658 or Contact us online.
Return to Parking permits