Accessible parking permits

In Victoria, permits are administered by the Accessible Parking Permit scheme. You now apply, renew or replace a permit through the scheme’s new application process. You will be told if you are eligible and for which type of permit. You can get your permit mailed to you or collect it from us.

If you have an existing disability permit, you can keep using it until it expires.

Accessible Parking Permit scheme explained

The scheme aims to make getting an accessible parking permit simpler, more consistent and fairer. With your permit you can use accessible parking bays anywhere in Victoria. Make sure you check the parking rules of the local council.

The new scheme has brought in changes including:

new temporary permits (for 6, 12 or 24 months)
permit length increased from 3 to 5 years
new permanent disability classification – no renewals needed
occupational therapists can assess your eligibility for a permit.

Double Time (green permits) and permits for organisations will continue under the new scheme.

The Victorian Government changed the Disability Parking Permit Scheme to line up with the Australian Disability Parking Permit Scheme.

Accessible Permit for individual

Accessible parking permits for individuals are assigned to the person, not the car. You can hold only one disability parking permit in Victoria, and can’t ask for copies.

There are 2 types of permits for individuals:

Australian Disability Parking Permit – was the Category 1 Blue Disabled Permit
Victorian Double Time Accessible Parking Permit – was the Category 2 Green Permit

You now apply to the Accessible Parking Permit scheme for permit. There are new rules, criteria and processes – find out more about disability and accessible parking permits and the scheme

If you have an existing disability permit, you can keep using it until it expires.

Accessible parking permits for individuals

Individual permit guide

FAQ's for individual's

You must only use the permit when the permit holder is in the vehicle. Make sure the permit number and expiry date are easy to see from outside the vehicle.
You can’t use it to park in restricted areas such as clearways, no stopping, no parking, taxi only or bus zones, or residential parking areas.
Using a Blue Disabled Permit or an Australian Accessible Parking permit
A Blue Disabled or Australian Disability permit holder can park:
- in accessible parking bays
- for double the time on a green timed parking sign
- free in a paid parking zone within Port Phillip.
Using a Green or a Victorian double time accessible permit
Permit holders can park for double the limit on a parking sign. Category Two Permits are not exempt from paid parking fees.
Replace a permit
If you lose or damage your permit or it is stolen, you can request a replacement online at Victoria Government: Accessible parking permits
You collect your replacement permit from us. Bring your photo ID and make sure you provide us with the information we need:
- Lost permit – statutory declaration detailing how and when the permit was lost
- Stolen permit – a copy of the police report confirming the permit was stolen
- Damaged permit –the current (damaged) permit must be returned.
When you apply, the first step is to ‘self-assess’ – you answer questions to find out if you are eligible for a permit. If you are eligible, then you go on and complete the application. Your medical practitioner must then assess you to confirm that you meet the ‘functional’ criteria for this permit.
Your eligibility might have changed under the new scheme
Under the old scheme individual councils reviewed applications for permits. Questions used by GPs to assess your needs were broad and open to interpretation. Now applications are reviewed by one organisation and the questions used by GPs and OTs to assess your mobility issues against the criteria are clearer.
The result is some permit holders may be told they are no longer eligible or that they are eligible for a different permit when they try to renew.

Accessible Permits for organisations

Organisations can apply to the Accessible Parking Permit (APP) scheme for an ADP Organisation Permit (formerly a Blue Organisation Permit). There are new rules, criteria and processes – find out more about disability and accessible parking permits.

Accessible parking permits for organisations

Organisational permit guide

If your application is successful, you’ll pick up the permit from the Council.
Make sure you bring these documents for each vehicle:
- proof of ownership showing the ABN
- registration.

FAQ's for organisations

Make sure the permit number and expiry date are easy to see from outside the vehicle.
You can’t use it to park in restricted areas such as Clearways, No Stopping, No Parking, taxi only or bus zones, /2P, 1/4P or residential parking areas. If you do you’ll get an infringement notice.
This permit authorises the permit holder to park:
- in disability parking bays
- for double the time on the parking sign
- free in a paid parking zone within Port Phillip.
You can ask for more than one permit. The maximum number of permits you can get depends on the number of drivers and vehicles in your fleet – the lesser number.
For example, if you have:
- 5 drivers and 5 registered vehicles you can apply for up to 5 permits.
- 5 drivers and 2 registered vehicles you can apply for up to 2 permits.
- 4 drivers and 3 registered vehicles you can apply for up to 3 permits.
- 2 drivers and 5 registered vehicles you can apply for up to 2 permits.
If you lose or damage your permit or it is stolen, you can request a replacement online at Victoria Government: Accessible parking permits
You collect your replacement permit from us. Bring your photo ID and make sure you provide us with the information we need:
- Lost permit – statutory declaration detailing how and when the permit was lost
- Stolen permit – a copy of the police report confirming the permit was stolen
- Damaged permit – must return the current (damaged) permit.