If you have a permit to use accessible parking spaces, you might’ve discovered that displaying a disabled parking permit differs from state to state/territory in Australia. This is because each state and territory has its own road transport authority that’s responsible for regulating and enforcing road rules.

So, while you’re able to use the Australian Disability Parking Permit nationally (and how to display that particular permit remains the same anywhere), there might be additional state/territory permits you need to display too. Nevertheless, your approach should remain the same: that the permit is clearly visible so it’s easily identifiable by parking inspectors and other authorities.

Here’s how to correctly display your permit by state and territory.

Displaying your permit by state

Before you dive in, bookmark our What You Should Know About Your Disability Parking Permit article and find out why disability parking permits are different between states. And if you’ve ever wondered ‘Can I take my disability parking permit in another state’ 👈 you’ll find answers there.

Before you start really exploring how displaying a disabled parking permit differs across jurisdictions, note these rules may also vary based on the type of parking permit you have. The specific regulations of your local council or authority at any given time may make a difference too.

That’s why it’s always a good idea to double check with the relevant agency or council for the most up-to-date information. We’ve included each state’s respective road authority below.

But first…

Australian Disability Parking Permit display rules for all states/territories

The following rules apply for the national Australian Disability Parking Permit (ADPP), which can be used across Australia:

1. The ADPP must be clearly displayed on the front dashboard of the vehicle, with the permit number and expiry date visible.
2. If the vehicle does not have a dashboard, the permit must be displayed in a visible location within the vehicle.
3. The permit must be displayed with the front side facing upwards and the hologram visible.
4. The permit must not be altered or defaced in any way.
5. The permit must only be used by the person to whom it was issued, and only when that person is the driver or a passenger in the vehicle.
6. The permit must only be used in designated accessible parking spaces and must not be used to park in restricted areas, such as loading zones, no-parking zones, or bus zones.
7. The permit must be returned to the issuing authority when it has expired or is no longer needed.

New South Wales

In NSW, you need to display your Australian Disability Parking Permit along with a state-based disability parking permit (part of the Mobility Parking Scheme):

• NSW Mobility Parking Scheme permit – looks like a driver licence, and
• Australian Disability Parking permit – is a large purple card.

Place your NSW permit into the clear plastic sleeve of the Australian Disability Parking Permit, so one is above the other. This will ensure your permit is accepted nationally, as outlined below. To ensure your privacy make sure to display the back of the card facing outwards, so your personal details and photo cannot be seen.

Display your disabled parking permit clearly on the front left-hand or passenger side of your vehicle, where it can be easily and safely read by enforcement officers. You can use a suction cup or any other method you prefer to attach it to the windscreen. If it’s not practical to display the permit there, place it on any other surface where it’s visible from outside the vehicle. Carefully check the permit doesn’t block vision while the car is in motion.

Make sure the side marked ‘Display this side’ is showing at all times when in use.

For more info:
Website: nsw.gov.au
Phone: 13 22 13

Victoria

Victoria requires only the Australian Disability Parking Permit and a local permit. Securely display both so all the details are clearly visible through the passenger side (left side) of the front windscreen.

For more info
Website: vicroadsdpp.microsoftcrmportals.com/permits
Phone: 13 11 71

South Australia

South Australia requires only the Australian Disability Parking Permit. Hang the disabled parking permit from the rear-view mirror or display it on the passenger side of the dashboard so that it’s clearly visible.

For more info
Website: https://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/
Phone: 13 10 84

Queensland

Queensland uses the Australian Disability Parking Permit and local Red Permit. Display it clearly on the driver’s side of the dashboard or the front passenger side of the vehicle, so that it’s visible through the front windscreen.

Disability Parking Permits come in a plastic sleeve with a suction cap so that it can be attached to the inside of the vehicle’s windscreen.

For more info
Website: https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/
Phone: 13 74 68

Western Australia

Victoria requires the Australian Disability Parking Permit and their local permit. Display your disabled parking permit on the left-hand side of the dashboard or the front passenger side so that it can be seen through the front windscreen.

For more info
Website: https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/
Phone: 13 11 56

Tasmania

Tasmania requires only the Australian Disability Parking Permit. For a car, make sure your permit is on the front with the permit number and expiry date clearly visible.

For more info
Phone: 1300 139 93
Website: https://www.transport.tas.gov.au/

Australian Capital Territory

When displaying your disabled parking permit, as with NSW make sure both the national and the local permits are presented together as a single permit. You can put it on the dashboard or affix it to the windscreen inside the vehicle, or as close as possible to the front left side.

For more info
Website: https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/
Phone: 13 22 81

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory requires the Australian Disability Parking Permit and their own local permit. Make sure you’re displaying your disabled parking permit so it’s visible inside your car’s windscreen on the left hand side of the dashboard.

For more info
Website: /parking-permits/disability-parking-permits
Phone: 08 8930 0603 or 08 8930 0671

At Blue Badge Insurance, we have many more useful resources on disabled parking permits. These include:

• How to Get a Disability Parking Permit
• Helpful Apps to Report Illegal Parking
• How to Renew Your Disability Parking Permit
• Disability Parking: Common Questions Answered

Hold a disability parking permit? Your insurance could be cheaper

As Australia’s first independence and mobility specialist insurance provider, we know disability parking permit holders are usually safer drivers. That’s one of the reasons why we can reward you with a cheaper car insurance premium – with us you can secure a discount of up to 25%. You’ll find plenty of other policy benefits too.

Find out about our disability car insurance for accessible parking permit holders.