Accessible Parking Permits (Disability Parking Scheme)

The way you apply and renew Accessible Parking Permit (APP) has changed!

The Disability Parking Scheme has now moved to an online platform.

To apply for a permit, you must start your application online at accessibleparking.vic.gov.au

STEPS

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 therapist
4. Your GP or occupational therapist will complete an online assessment and submit your application
5. Council will review the application electronically
6. If your application is successful, you’ll receive your permit in the mail

Note: If you don’t have access to a mobile phone or the internet, you can visit your doctor to begin your application. If you require a paper-based form, please contact our Customer Service team on 9518 3555.

Please ensure you give yourself enough time to renew or apply as permit processing can take 10-15 days for your permit to reach you.

There are 3 different parking permits issued under the APP Scheme:

• An Australian Disability Parking (ADP) Permit - formerly the Category 1 Blue disabled permit
• A Double Time (DT) Permit - formerly the Category 2 Green permit
• An ADP Organisation Permit – formerly Blue organisation permit

We are here to help

Council and VicRoads are here to help you with the transition. If you need assistance with using the platform or have feedback on the changes, you can contact VicRoads on 1300 965 677 or email accessibleparking@roads.vic.gov.au

Organisations

An organisation may be eligible for an accessible parking permit, if it is recognised by a local council as providing a transport service for people with significant mobility, or cognitive, behavioural or neurological impairment. Lawful use requires at least 1 eligible person with a disability to be picked up or set down.

Organisations will still be required to apply for new permits every 12 months as they have done in the past.

Permits can be applied for online at accessibleparking.vic.gov.au and your permits will need to be picked up from Council if approved. At the time of pick up, you must provide proof of ownership of the ABN and registration documents for each vehicle.

Organisation vehicle - self-assessment

The maximum number of vehicles you can add is the lesser of the number of drivers, number of vehicles and how many permits are required.

For example, if you have 5 drivers and had 5 registered vehicles, you can apply for up to 5 permits.

OR

If you have 5 drivers and had 2 registered vehicles, you can apply for up to 2 permits.

OR

If you have 4 drivers and had 3 registered vehicles, you can apply for up to 3 permits.

OR

If you have 2 drivers and had 5 registered vehicles, you can apply for up to 2 permits.

FAQs

Have the eligibility criteria changed?

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

Do I need to apply for a new permit?

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

I was previously told I don’t need to see a GP – why do I need to see one now?

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.

I was previously eligible for a permit, but was not after applying for a renewal. Why?

As part of disability parking scheme update, clearer assessment questions were developed in consultation with medical practitioners to allow GPs and occupational therapists (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 APP Scheme has updated the questions GPs and occupational therapists 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 occupational therapist (OT) using the new application process and criteria questions.

GPs and occupational therapists (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.

I used to have a blue permit. Now it’s green. Why is this?

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 occupational therapists 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’).

I am a parent of a disabled child, why can’t my partner and I have a permit for each car?

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

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

Why can’t I get a permit on-the-spot anymore?

Permit administration, printing and distribution is 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 10-15 days for your application outcome to arrive in the mail.

Why does my GP or OT not know the outcome of my assessment?

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.

Why can’t my GP or OT decide if I get a green or blue permit?

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.