Information about parking rules in the Australian Capital Territory.
Examples of where it is illegal to stop or park your vehicle are:
For a full description of parking rules you should refer to the Australian Road Rules.
Please remember that leaving your car parked to obtain change for a meter or ticket machine may attract an infringement notice.
Motorists must purchase tickets after parking their car in a Government parking area. Read instructions on the ticket machine carefully and always check the ticket details.
Tickets must be displayed face up on the dashboard of vehicles, and must be able to be read from outside the vehicle. Prior to leaving the vehicle, ensure that the ticket is clearly visible from the exterior of the vehicle.
Pre-paid long term tickets are now available over the phone. Please call 13 22 81 for further information.
A prepaid ticket can be used in any A.C.T. Government multi-stay ticket car park as long as the fee is equal to or less than the fee displayed on the ticket. Prepaid parking tickets cannot be used in short stay car parks.
Prepaid tickets do not guarantee you space in any particular car park and once vacated a car space becomes available for use by other motorists.
(Note - Pre-paid tickets are not valid in privately operated car parks. You should always check signs at entrance to car parks. Private car parks may have additional instructions.)
For the fee and time limit of the area you should read the instructions on the meter carefully. Parking signs will also advise the time restriction for the area.
Motorists pay when exiting for the time they occupied the car park. The A.C.T. Government does not operate any car parks controlled by boomgates, but there are several operated by private companies.
Parking time limits are displayed on signs within that parking area.
Payment is made by using the ticket machine, or purchasing a pre-paid ticket.
Once motorists leave a long stay car park, the car space becomes vacant for further use by other motorists.
Pay parking is currently in place in the City (Civic), Woden (Phillip), Belconnen, Tuggeranong (Greenway), Dickson, Deakin, Griffith (Manuka) and Kingston.
The Government is keen to improve the efficiency of the road and parking infrastructure by encouraging greater use of public transport, cycling and walking. Pay parking helps to achieve these objectives. Pay parking also encourages the use of Park 'n' Ride and "3 for FREE" facilities, and helps manage the growing demand for carparks.
New parking fees will be introduced in Territory-owned car parks from Monday 25 July 2011. The fee Increases will range from $0.10 to $1.50 per day depending on location.
For a copy of a map showing the location of pay parking areas in the Town Centres, please refer to the downloads below. Fees displayed on these maps take effect as of Monday 25 July 2011.
(Note - Pre-paid tickets are not valid in privately operated car parks. You should always check signs at entrance to car parks if unsure.)
Park and Ride facilities are available in the major town centres. The total number of spaces provided are determined on a locality-by-locality basis according to estimated future usage.
Park and Ride reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves the flexibility of bus travel and increases patronage on bus network trunk routes.
Park and Ride Parking Permits are purchased through ACTION in conjunction with associated Bus Passes. For details see:
Motorists may park all day for free in specially designated areas, if three or more people are in the vehicle at the time of parking. Three for free tickets can only be issued from designated parking locations between 7.30am and 9.00am Monday to Friday. Tickets must be displayed face up on the dashboard of vehicles, and must be able to be read from outside the vehicle.
Below is the 'Motorbike Parking in Canberra' page that provides information about where motorbikes can park in the ACT.
The Parking Policy Unit develops and implements policy for a range of parking issues, liaising as appropriate with other areas such as PALM and Roads ACT.
