Parking in Port Phillip is going cashless

Paying for goods and services by electronically has become the preferred method of payment.  Over the past three years, the number of people paying by coins for parking has significantly decreased from 19 per cent in 2019 to less than 7 percent in 2022.

Going cashless gives you access to more features. Using the PayStay application, you can receive notifications on your mobile device when your current paid parking session is due to expire.  You may also have the option of extending your parking time via your mobile device (depending on the time restrictions), so there is no need to return to your car.

From January 2023, we will begin removing coin payment options on our paid parking machines. Once the coin option is removed, paid parking machines in the City of Port Phillip will accept payments by credit / debit card or through the PayStay application. Coins will no longer be accepted. 

Removing coin payments will ensure a higher reliability of Paid parking machines, as machine faults are predominantly attributed to malfunction due to coin jams and vandalism.  An increase in machine reliability will create a better experience for drivers and significantly reduce maintenance requirements, providing an improved service to our customers. 

People who don’t have access to a credit / debit card or a smart phone but need to pay for parking can get a pre-paid debit card (Visa or Mastercard) from Australia Post (or other providers) to pay for parking in metered spaces. There are also many non-paid parking bays across the City.

What if I don’t have access to a credit card or smart phone?

All drivers have the option to park in non-paid parking pays within the municipality. Our shopping strips have parking options in nearby streets, which are not paid parking, but may be time restricted.

There is also the option of purchasing a pre-paid debit card (Visa or Mastercard) from Australia Post (or other providers) to pay for parking in metered spaces.

When will all the cash meters be removed from Port Phillip?

This will happen in two phases. First, we will remove the coin option from our credit card machines which will take one month. In the second phase, we will change the coin machines over to credit card. This will start around March / April and will take one and a half months.

Why is Port Phillip moving to cashless parking meters?

There has been a steady decline in the use of coins to pay for parking in the City in the last three years. Use of parking apps such as PayStay has increased while only 6 per cent of motorists pay for parking with coins.

What are the benefits?

Paying by credit or debit card or through the Pay Stay application is fast and easy.

If you pay through PayStay, you are able to receive notifications on your mobile device when your current paid parking session is due to expire. You then have the option of extending your parking time via your mobile device (depending on the time restrictions), so there is no need to return to your car.

What if I have an Accessible Parking Permit?

People with a Category 1 Accessible Parking Permit are exempt from paying for parking in Paid parking spaces in Port Phillip.

Download the PayStay app

The PayStay app allows you to pay for parking on your smartphone. You can also extend your parking time remotely from your phone (depending on the time restrictions) so you can continue enjoying our City without the need to return to your car.

Download on iPhone:

PayStay on the App Store (apple.com)

Download on Android:

PayStay – Apps on Google Play