Parking permits are available for:
- drivers or passengers with a disability
- organisations that transport people with a disability
- existing permit holders who need extra parking time to regularly attend work, study or specialist medical appointments within the City of Melbourne.
VicRoads and the Victorian Government has introduced a new Accessible Parking Permit SchemeOpens in new tab and online administration system Accessible Parking PermitsOpens in new tab to better align with the Australian Disability Parking Permit SchemeOpens in new tab.
You can apply for a new parking permit or renew your permit online:
Apply on Accessible Parking PermitsOpens in new tab
From 1 July 2021, all new applications must be submitted via the new online application system.
If you currently hold a Disability Parking Permit (DPP), this remains valid until its expiry date. You are not required to do anything until it’s time to renew your existing permit. There is no fee for this permit.
How to apply
How to apply
- Start your application online at Accessible Parking PermitsOpens in new tab.
- You’ll receive an application reference number via SMS.
- Take your reference number to your General Practitioner (GP) or Occupational Therapist (OT).
- Your GP or OT will complete an online assessment and submit your application.
- Your local council will review the application.
- If your application is successful, you’ll receive your permit in the mail.
Apply on Accessible Parking PermitsOpens in new tab
Permits are not automatically renewed. A new application (including a medical check performed by a GP or OT) must be completed before a new permit will be issued.
Permit types and eligibility under the Accessible Permit Scheme
There are three new permit types with varying parking concessions based on the applicant’s need for assistance. They are:
- Australian Disability Parking (ADP) Permit for individuals
- Double Time (DT) Permit for individuals
- Australian Disability Parking (ADP) Permits for organisations.
The different permit types, eligibility requirements and Condition of Issue and Use are explained in detail on the VicRoads websiteOpens in new tab.
A permit does not allow you to:
- park in restricted locations such as Clearways, No Stopping or No Parking Areas, Taxi Only Areas, Bus Zones, and Authorised Resident Areas
- park for free in areas where parking fees apply.
The decision to issue a permit, as well as the permit type, is based on a doctor’s assessment.
Any unsuccessful applications will be reassessed if the applicant has sought a second opinion from another medical practitioner.
A driver or passenger may be eligible for a temporary permit if they have a significant ambulatory disability that is not permanent, but is not likely to improve within six months.
Key conditions of issue and use
- The permit must only be displayed when the vehicle is being used to transport the permit holder.
- The permit must be securely displayed so all details remain clearly visible through the passenger side of the front windscreen throughout the duration of parking.
- Parking conditions and payment requirements can differ from one local council to another and a permit holder should always check the applicable parking signs.
- Parking is not permitted in restricted locations (indicated by red signs) such as clearways, loading zones, no stopping, taxi only areas, bus zones and residential permit zones.
- When selecting parking, permit holders must ensure a sign for a restricted parking area will not apply for any part of their intended stay. Any time allowed by a permit stops when a red sign starts.
- Failure to adhere to the permit’s conditions of issue and use, regardless of entitlement to the permit, may result in the permit holder incurring a parking infringement notice.
Parking allowances
ADP Permit example
An ADP permit holder may park a vehicle in a parking bay reserved for people with disability for the specified time limit only. This means an ADP permit holder must not park continuously in a parking area for people with disability for longer than the period indicated on the sign.
Examples of parking signs indicating that the parking bay is reserved for ADP permit holders
An ADP permit holder may also park a vehicle in any regular parking bay or area (to which a green permissive parking sign applies) for double the period indicated on the sign.
Example of a permissive parking sign
When electing to park for double the time shown on a permissive parking sign in the City of Melbourne, ADP permit holders are:
- required to pay the initial parking fee in meter areas, unless stated on the parking meter
- exempt from paying the initial parking fee in areas requiring a ticket to be purchased.
For parking payment requirements in other municipalities, the City of Melbourne recommends permit holders check parking fees and requirements with the relevant council.
Double Time (DT) permit example
A DT permit holder may park a vehicle in any regular parking bay or area (to which a green permissive parking sign applies) for double the period indicated on the sign.
When electing to park for double the time shown on a permissive parking sign in the City of Melbourne, DT permit holders are required to pay the initial parking fee. For example in a 1P (one hour) meter or ticket parking area, DT permit holders may park continuously for two hours, provided payment is made for the first hour.
A DT permit does not allow the permit holder to park in an area reserved only for people with disability. These parking areas are designated for category one permit holders only.
For parking payment requirements in other municipalities, the City of Melbourne recommends permit holders check parking fees and requirements with the relevant council.
Organisations based within the City of Melbourne that transport people with disability may apply for an Australian Disability Permit (ADP) Organisation Permit for people with disability.
How to apply
- Start your application online at Accessible Parking PermitsOpens in new tab.
- You’ll receive an application reference number via SMS and email.
- Your application will be assessed to determine if you quality for a permit.
- If your application is successful, we will finalise your application and you’ll pick up your permit at the council.
You will need to provide your mobile phone number to apply or renew a permit.
Permits are not automatically renewed. A new application must be completed before a new permit will be issued.
Apply on Accessible Parking PermitsOpens in new tab
Eligibility
To be eligible, the organisation must be recognised by City of Melbourne as providing a transport service for people with significant mobility, or cognitive, behavioural or neurological impairments. The full eligibility requirements are outlined in detail on the VicRoads websiteOpens in new tab including the permit’s conditions of issue and use.
Using the permit
The permit must only be displayed when transporting people with significant mobility or cognitive, behavioural or neurological impairment.
An ADP organisation permit holder may park a vehicle in a parking bay reserved for people with disability for the specified time limit only. This means an ADP permit holder must not park continuously in a parking area for people with disabilities for longer than the period indicated on the sign.
Examples of parking signs indicating that the parking bay is reserved for ADP permit holders
An ADP organisation permit holder may also park a vehicle in any regular parking bay or area (to which a green permissive parking sign applies) for double the period indicated on the sign.
Example of a permissive parking sign
For parking payment requirements in other municipalities, the City of Melbourne recommends permit holders check parking fees and requirements with the relevant council.
The permit must be displayed when transporting people with significant mobility or cognitive, behavioural or neurological impairment.
City Access Permit
A City Access Permit provides extra parking time for holders of a valid Australian Disability Parking permit for People with Disabilities to regularly attend work, study or specialist medical appointments in the City of Melbourne.
How to apply
You can either apply online or submit the completed application for by email, post or in person.
Download the application form:
- City Access Parking Permit application (PDF 75 KB)
- City Access Parking Permit application (DOC 58 KB)
Post :
City of Melbourne Permits and Review Team
PO Box 488
Melbourne VIC 3001
In person:
Melbourne Town Hall
Administration Building
120 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Business hours, Monday to Friday (public holidays excluded).
Please note that all City Access Permits expire on 28 February each year. Applications received within two months of this expiry will be issued for the following calendar year.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a City Access Permit, applicants must hold a valid ADP permit issued in their name.
Applicants must also provide a letter on company letterhead from one of the following:
- their workplace located within the City of Melbourne confirming their employment
- their educational institution located within the City of Melbourne confirming their enrolment
- a medical specialist located within the City of Melbourne confirming their ongoing requirement for medical treatment within the City of Melbourne.
All supporting documents must be current and issued within the last three months of receipt. Supporting documents must be signed by an authorised person.
Using the permit
Provided it is valid and correctly displayed, the City Access Permit allows the holder to park in any regular parking bay or area (to which a green permissive parking sign applies) for the whole day.
Example of a permissive parking sign
The City Access permit must be displayed in conjunction with an ADP or DT permit at all times. Both permits must be securely displayed so all details remain clearly visible through the passenger side of the front windscreen throughout the duration of parking.
- The permit must only be displayed when the vehicle is being used to transport the permit holder.
- The permit will show the registration number of the vehicle/s for which it is issued.
- The permit does not allow the holder to park in an area reserved only for people with disabilities (these parking areas are designated for ADP permit holders to park for the amount of time specified on the sign only).
Examples of parking signs indicating that the parking bay is reserved for ADP permit holders
Parking is not permitted in restricted locations (indicated by red signs) such as clearways, loading zones, no stopping, taxi only areas, bus zones and residential permit zones.
When selecting parking, permit holders must ensure a sign for a restricted parking area will not apply for any part of their intended stay. Any time allowed by a permit stops when a red sign starts.
Failure to adhere to the City Access Permit’s conditions of issue and use, regardless of entitlement to the permit, may result in the permit holder incurring a parking infringement notice.
Replacement permits
Requests to replace your existing permits must be made by visiting Accessible Parking PermitsOpens in new tab by the Victorian Government. You will need to provide your mobile phone number to replace your permit.
You will need to provide photo identification such as a driver’s licence, passport or Proof of Age Card when collecting the replacement permit.
If a permit is lost, stolen, damaged or you’ve changed your vehicle registration, the permit holder may request a replacement permit in writing to us at disabilityparking@melbourne.vic.gov.au.
You’ll need to outline the reason/s for replacement and submit the required documents:
Lost and stolen permits
- Provide a copy of a police report. We take permit misuse very seriously and after receiving a police report, we’ll cancel your old permit immediately.
Damaged or unusable permits
- Return the damaged permit to us via post or by visiting Melbourne Town Hall. We’ll wait to receive this before issuing your replacement permit.
If you’ve recently purchased a new car or changed your vehicle registration
- Return the old permit to us via post or by visiting Melbourne Town Hall. We’ll wait to receive your old permit before issuing your replacement permit. The permit being replaced will be cancelled.
