Navigating daily life with a disability is challenging enough without the added stress of finding accessible parking. If you’re caring for someone with a disability in NSW, a disability parking permit for carers NSW can make a real difference – letting you park closer to destinations and giving you the extra time needed for safe transfers and assistance.
Here’s what you need to know about applying for a disability parking permit in NSW, including how carers can apply on behalf of the person they support.
Quick Answers
- Who can apply: NSW residents with permanent or temporary physical disabilities, or carers applying on their behalf
- Two permits required: You’ll receive both an NSW Mobility Parking Scheme (MPS) permit (blue or red card) AND an Australian Disability Parking Permit (ADPS) – both must be displayed together
- Application process: Get a medical certificate from your GP, complete the application form, visit Service NSW (or apply online if eligible), pay the fee
- Approval time: Around 2 weeks from submission
- Cost: $53 for an individual permit, $17 for a temporary permit
Understanding NSW's Mobility Parking Scheme
NSW operates the Mobility Parking Scheme (MPS), which is part of the broader Australian Disability Parking Scheme (ADPS). This national framework replaced over 100 different permit types across Australia, making it easier for people with disability to travel interstate with consistent parking access.
When you successfully apply for a disabled car park permit in NSW, you actually receive two permits:
- NSW Mobility Parking Scheme permit – A photo ID card (like a driver licence) with your details and an expiry date
- Australian Disability Parking Permit – A large purple card with a plastic pocket where your NSW permit sits
Both permits must be displayed together in your vehicle for the parking concessions to be valid. If you don’t insert your NSW permit into the Australian Disability Parking Permit holder, your permit is considered invalid, and you could face fines over $500.
Who Can Apply for a Disability Parking Permit for Carers in NSW?
Good news for carers: you can absolutely apply for a disability parking permit for carers NSW on behalf of the person you support. According to Transport for NSW, “You can apply for the permit yourself or ask someone you know to apply on your behalf.”
To be eligible, the person with disability must meet at least one of these criteria:
- Unable to walk due to permanent or temporary loss of use of one or both legs
- Physical condition is detrimentally affected by walking 100 metres
- Requires mobility aids such as crutches, a walking frame, callipers, scooter, wheelchair, or similar devices
- Permanently blind (meeting specific vision impairment criteria)
- Clinically recognisable disability certified by a doctor – this is a permanent disability that significantly impacts mobility
You don’t need to hold a driver’s licence to get a permit. If you’re a passenger with disability, you can apply for the permit even if you never drive.
Important note: The permit is issued to the person with disability, not to the carer. This means the permit can only be used when transporting or accompanying the person with disability. A carer cannot use the permit for their own errands if the permit holder isn’t in the vehicle.
Types of Permits Available in NSW
NSW issues three types of mobility parking permits under the Mobility Parking Scheme:
Individual Permit (Blue Card)
- Valid for 5 years
- For people with a permanent disability
- Photo ID required (like a driver’s licence)
- Renews every 5 years with a medical check
Temporary Permit (Red Card)
- Valid for up to 6 months
- For people with a temporary disability (e.g., recovering from surgery, broken leg, temporary mobility impairment)
- Photo ID required
- Can be extended if recovery takes longer than expected
Organisation Permit (Green Card)
- For organisations that regularly transport people with disability
- Assigned to the vehicle registration, not an individual
- Businesses, disability service providers, and health organisations can apply
For most NDIS participants and their carers, you’ll be applying for either the individual (blue) or temporary (red) permit.
How to Get a Disability Parking Permit: Step-by-Step Process
Here’s exactly how to get a disability parking permit in NSW as a carer or on behalf of someone with disability.
Step 1: Download the Application Form
Get the Mobility Parking Scheme Application form from the Transport for NSW website, or pick up a copy at any Service NSW centre.
Complete Section 1 with the applicant’s personal details. If you’re a carer applying on their behalf, you’ll fill this out with the person with disability’s information, not your own.
Step 2: Get Your Medical Certificate
This is the most important step. The person with disability needs to see their GP or medical specialist to confirm they meet the eligibility criteria.
Your doctor will complete Section 2 of the application form, which certifies the person has a clinically recognisable disability or mobility impairment that qualifies them for the scheme.
If the person holds a NSW driver licence: The doctor must also complete Section 3 (Medical Report for Fitness to Drive). Transport for NSW uses this information to ensure all NSW licence holders are medically fit to drive. Your doctor can submit this online or provide a paper copy.
Cost: Most GPs charge a fee for completing medical certificates (typically $50-$100). This isn’t covered by Medicare or the NDIS plan management budget, but it’s a necessary upfront cost.
Step 3: Arrange Your Photo
NSW mobility parking permits include a photo to prevent misuse – similar to your driver licence photo.
If Service NSW already has your photo on file (from a driver licence or previous permit), you may be able to use that existing photo for your permit. Check with Service NSW when you apply.
If you need a new photo: You’ll need to visit a Service NSW centre to have your photo taken when you submit the application.
Photo exemption: If the person with disability cannot attend a Service NSW centre due to their condition (e.g., they’re mostly bedridden, have severe mobility restrictions, or would experience significant embarrassment or difficulty), they can apply for a photo exemption.
To request an exemption, you’ll need:
- A letter from you (or the person with disability) explaining why they can’t attend
- The completed application form
- A supporting letter from their doctor
Post these documents to DRIVES Assurance, Transport for NSW, PO Box 3035, Parramatta NSW 2124. If approved, they’ll send you a letter of exemption to include with your permit application.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
You have two options for submitting your application:
Option 1: Online Application (if eligible) You can apply online through the Service NSW website if:
- Transport for NSW already has your photo on file, AND
- You have a MyServiceNSW Account, AND
- You’re applying for a 5-year individual permit (not a temporary permit)
Option 2: In-Person at Service NSW Visit any Service NSW centre with:
- Your completed application form (including medical certificate)
- Proof of identity (driver licence, passport, birth certificate, Medicare card)
- Payment (unless you qualify for a concession)
- Medical assessment for fitness to drive (if required and not submitted online)
- Photo exemption letter (if applicable)
If someone else is applying on your behalf: They can only do this if the person with disability has a photo exemption AND a Transport for NSW customer number. Otherwise, the person with disability must attend the service centre themselves.
Cost:
- Individual permit (5 years): $53
- Temporary permit (up to 6 months): $17
- Concession holders (eligible Centrelink pensioners): FREE
- Australian Disability Parking Permit: FREE when issued with NSW MPS permit
Step 5: Display Your Permits
Once approved (typically within 2 weeks), you’ll receive both:
- NSW Mobility Parking Scheme permit (blue or red card)
- Australian Disability Parking Permit (purple holder)
How to display them:
- Insert your NSW permit card into the clear plastic pocket of the Australian Disability Parking Permit
- Display both permits together on your dashboard or hung from your rear-view mirror
- Make sure the permit number and expiry date are clearly visible from outside the vehicle
- Remove hanging permits before driving (they must not obstruct your vision)
Critical rule: The permit is only valid when the person with disability is being transported in the vehicle. If they’re not in the car, you cannot use the disabled parking spaces or concessions – even if you’re running errands related to their care.
What Parking Benefits Do You Get?
A disabled car park permit in NSW provides several valuable parking concessions:
Designated Disability Parking Spaces
You can park in any bay marked with the international symbol of access (wheelchair symbol) for the time shown on the signage.
Extended Parking Times
In regular parking bays (not disability-specific):
- Under 30 minutes: Can park for up to 30 minutes
- 30 minutes exactly: Can park for up to 2 hours
- More than 30 minutes: Can park for unlimited time
Free Parking
Permit holders enjoy free parking in:
- Council car parks with parking meters
- Timed zones with ticket machines
- On-street parking with time limits
Note:These concessions only apply to on-street parking and council-operated car parks. Privately operated car parks with boom gates (like shopping centres) may still charge fees – always check with the operator.
No-Parking Zones
Permit holders can stop in no-parking zones for up to 5 minutes to drop off or pick up passengers or goods, provided the driver stays within 3 metres of the vehicle.
Restrictions that still apply: Your permit does NOT exempt you from:
- No stopping zones
- Clearways
- Bus zones
- Loading zones
- Taxi zones
- Work zones
- Any other restricted areas
Finding The Right Information and Support
For many NDIS participants, having a disability parking permit is just one piece of managing transport needs effectively. If you’re an NDIS participant in NSW, consider how NDIS plan management in NSW can help you maximise your plan’s transport budget.
Your NDIS plan may include funding transport through NDIS supports, which can cover taxis, rideshares, and support worker travel costs. Understanding what can I use my NDIS funding for? helps ensure you’re claiming all eligible transport-related expenses.
And if you’re wondering whether your specific situation qualifies for NDIS support, check am I eligible for NDIS funding? to understand the criteria.
A plan manager can handle all the invoicing and paperwork for your transport providers, freeing you up to focus on what matters – supporting the person in your care. Ready to simplify your NDIS admin? Sign up with NDIS Superhero today and get expert plan management support across Sydney and greater NSW.
Need Help Understanding What's Fundable?
Our NDIS Superhero team specialises in plan management for participants across Australia. We’ll help you navigate complex funding decisions, claim correctly, and get the most from your plan. Sign up today and let us handle the admin while you focus on your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a disability parking permit for my parent or spouse as their carer?
Yes. Carers can apply for a disability parking permit for carers in NSW on behalf of the person they support. However, if the person with disability doesn’t have a photo exemption, they must attend Service NSW in person to have their photo taken. The permit is issued in the name of the person with disability, not the carer.
How long does it take to get approved for a disabled car park permit in NSW?
Transport for NSW typically processes applications within 2 weeks of submission. You’ll receive both permits by mail once approved. During busy periods or if additional information is needed, processing may take slightly longer.
Can I use my NSW disability parking permit interstate or overseas?
Yes, NSW disability parking permits are valid across all Australian states and territories under the Australian Disability Parking Scheme (ADPS). However, parking concessions may vary by state, so check local rules when travelling interstate. NSW permits are not valid overseas – you’ll need to research disability parking requirements in the country you’re visiting.
What should I do if my disability parking permit is lost or stolen?
Apply for a replacement immediately. You can do this online through Service NSW or at a service centre. Replacement fees apply: $14 for non-concession holders, $7 for concession holders. There’s no fee for replacing the Australian Disability Parking Permit if it’s damaged or lost. If your permit was stolen, report it to the police and get a crime reference number.
