Disabled parking permits — frequently asked questions

Parking permit applications are now managed via an online process on the Accessible Parking Permit website at accessibleparking.vic.gov.au

1. Start your application online at accessibleparking.vic.gov.au
2. You’ll receive an application reference number via SMS
3. Take your reference number to your GP or Occupational Ttherapist
4. Your GP or occupational therapist will complete an online assessment and submit your application
5. We (Council) will review the application
6. If your application is successful, you’ll receive your permit in the mail.

If your application is unsuccessful you’ll receive a letter explaining why your application was declined.

A paper-based version of the application is available if you don’t have access to a mobile phone or the internet. Contact our customer service centre if you require a paper form. (Please note that the fastest way to receive a permit is through an online application).

Yes. When completing your application, you can choose to pick up your permit from our customer service centre, located on the corner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield.

Once your application is approved, your permit will arrive in the mail in approximately 7 to 10 business days.

These times may vary depending on Australia Post demand.

Your carer, family, friend, GP or Occupational Thearpist can help you if you require assistance or have no internet access.

A paper-based version of the application is available for people with no access to mobile phones or the internet. However, the online process provides a faster outcome.

A paper application is available by contacting our Service Centre on 03 9524 3333.

No. As part of disability parking scheme update, clearer assessment questions were developed in consultation with medical practitioners, to allow GPs and occupational therapists to assess mobility issues against the criteria. Some questions on old forms are no longer valid and do not align with the new scheme’s requirements.

If you believe your GP or occupational therapist has incorrectly assessed your mobility issue or medical condition, you may seek a second opinion from a different GP or occupational therapist.

This is done by starting a new application, with the functional assessment undertaken by a different medical practitioner.

Permit type is determined by criteria assessment and not someone’s personal preference or request. An applicant’s mobility issue is the sole determent of permit type.

It is important to remember that there is a hierarchy of needs within disability parking. People who require extra space to get out of a vehicle or whose medical condition restricts walking to less than 100m are given priority.

If you believe your GP or occupational therapist has incorrectly assessed your mobility issue or medical condition you may seek a second opinion from a different GP or occupational therapist.

This is done by starting a new application with the functional assessment undertaken by a different medical practitioner.

If you wish to dispute the eligibility criteria of the scheme or scheme operation you can request an explanation of the basis of the eligibility of the criteria and scheme operation from VicRoads. You can contact VicRoads at accessibleparking@roads.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 965 677.

The Disability Parking Permit (DPP) Scheme in Victoria was last updated in 1995 and does not align with the national Australian Disability Parking Scheme.

The scheme was previously administered by each of the 79 different Victorian councils. Each council interpreted the scheme differently and had individual administration processes. That led to confusion within the community as well as the potential for inequitable outcomes for applicants and opportunity for the misuse of permits.

The updated scheme continues to be administered by the 79 Victorian councils, but the process for applying for and renewing permits is more streamlined.

The new APP Online Service provides community members with an easier application process and misuse of permits will be reduced, freeing up disability parking bays for the people who really need them.

The Accessible Parking Permit (APP) project aims to streamline the permit application and renewal processes, clarify eligibility requirements, and introduce systems and tools to improve the management of permits across Victoria.

Changes being made include:

• Permit holders who have been medically assessed as having an agreed permanent disability will no longer have to return to their medical practitioner for reassessment as part of the permit renewal process.
• The permit duration will be increased from three years to five years for individuals (with non-temporary permits).
• The permit application and renewal processes will be streamlined with applications to be submitted through a new state-wide digitised system.
• Permits will adhere to a standard, highly secure permit design rather than 79 variations that currently exist.
• The name of the scheme will be changed from ‘Disabled Persons Parking Scheme’ to ‘Accessible Parking Permit Scheme’.

The following features will be retained:

• Green Permits/Category 2 Permits will continue to allow a permit holder to park for twice the permissible time in an ordinary parking bay.
• Those with significant intellectual disabilities are eligible for a permit.

The overarching eligibility criteria have not changed. However, the wording and the process by which a medical practitioner assesses a patient’s mobility or medical condition has changed.

You will need to apply for a new permit when your permit expires.

Yes, existing permits can be used until their expiry date.

Permit applications were managed by 79 councils and this led to a range of variations in application processes and outcomes, including variations in process for people with permanent disabilities.

The APP Scheme has updated the questions GPs and OTs will use to asses eligibility against the scheme. Every applicant for a permit will need to be assessed at least once by a GP or OT using the new application process and criteria questions.

GPs and OTs will have the ability in this new assessment process to categorise someone as having a permanent disability. This will mean they will no longer require a functional assessment to renew their permit.

As part of disability parking scheme update, clearer assessment questions were developed in consultation with medical practitioners to allow GPs and OTs to assess mobility issues against the criteria.

This related to both space requirements to exit and enter vehicles and the impacts of walking distances may have on an applicant’s health. Previously questions were open to a broad interpretation.

They are now more aligned with assessing against the scheme criteria.

The allocation of Reserved Bay (Blue) and Double Time (Green) permits is determined by outcomes of a mobility assessment.

As part of the disability parking scheme update, clearer assessment questions were developed in consultation with medical practitioners to allow GPs and OTs to assess mobility issues against the criteria. This related to both space requirements to exit and enter vehicles and the impacts of walking distances may have on an applicant’s health.

Based on this, the outcome of your application may result in you receiving a Green Double Time permit, rather than an Australian Disability Parking Permit (formerly known as the ‘blue permit’).

The conditions of use for an accessible parking permit only allow for an individual to hold one permit. Permits are assigned to individuals, not vehicles. This was also a condition of the old scheme.

It is recognised that this will create inconvenience and difficulties for some people who share responsibility for caring for someone with mobility issues.

However, this needed to be weighed against the potential for permit misuse that can occur if an individual can be issued with multiple permits.

Permit administration, printing and distribution are now managed through one central process, which does not require a visit to your local council to process a form. Once your medical practitioner has undertaken your functional assessment it should take 10 to 15 days for your application outcome to arrive in the mail.

Your GP or OT will answer a range of questions that assess eligibility for a permit against the criteria. The answers to these questions determine your eligibility.

Prior to the assessment outcome being known, your local council will check your application against any know duplicate permits or previous cancelled permits. It is only after this assessment step is the outcome of your application determined and you are advised by mail.

Permit type has always been determined by functional assessment against set criteria questions and not personal preference or request. GPs and OTs are required to answer criteria eligibility questions, the responses to which determine permit eligibility and permit type.