Parking on campus

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Parking permits and options

UNSW provides a range of parking options for staff, students, and visitors across the Kensington campus. During peak weekday periods (typically 10am - 2.30pm Tuesday to Thursday), on-campus parking stations may reach capacity.

Planning your parking option in advance can help improve certainty of arrival.

Parking Permits are available via the UNSW vPermit website.

Plan your visit

Use the interactive campus parking map to located parking stations, accessible bays and key access points before travelling to campus.

You can also review:

For permits enquiries or assistance, contact parking@unsw.edu.au.

Complimentary parking is available from 7.30pm to 7.30am on weekdays, and all day on weekends and public holidays, provided your vehicle is parked wholly within marked bays and in accordance with campus parking rules.

Parking options at UNSW

Select one of the tiles below to view your parking options.

UNSW staff

Staff may park on campus using either an annual permit (vPermit) or pay-as-you-go (CellOPark).

During peak weekday periods (typically 10am – 2.30pm Tuesday to Thursday), on-campus parking may reach capacity. Staff arriving during these times may wish to consider the Royal Randwick Racecourse parking option or public transport.

Having either an annual vPermit or active CellOPark session allows staff to park in any bay marked ‘UNSW Permit Holder.’

Annual permits (vPermit)

Applied online via the vPermit system
Payment options include upfront (credit/debit Card) or salary sacrifice (where applicable)
Multiple vehicle registrations can be stored, but you must select the ‘active’ vehicle, each day

If an annual permit is no longer required:

Cancel via the vPermit system
Refunds are calculated from the cancellation date
A $25 administration fee applies

Pay-as-you-go (CellOPark)

PAYG parking is is suitable for staff who park on campus occasionally.

To use PAYG:

Download and register via the CellOPark app
Start a session on arrival each time you park
Ensure your vehicle registration is correct in the app

Staff must provide a valid zID to access staff PAYG rates. Without a valid zID, casual parking rates apply.

PAYG charges are billed monthly via CellOPark (billing cycle ends on the 24th of each month). Approved refunds are processed by CellOPark and must be authorised by UNSW.

Students and visitors

Visitor parking

All-day visitor parking is available at:

Botany Street Carpark (H25) – top level, entry via Gate 11
Barker Street Parking Station (N18) – level 1C, entry via Gate 14

Payment is required on arrival and can be made via:

Pay-by-plate meter (located near lifts), or
The CellOPark app (scan the QR code displayed on signage)

Racecourse parking is available for UNSW staff only.

Short-term parking (2P/4P)

Short-term timed parking bays are available at:

Gates 2 and 8 (off High Street)

Payment is required on arrival via pay-by-plate meter or the CellOPark app.

Please observe all time limits and signage.

After-hours parking permit

An after-hours permit (valid 3.30pm – 7.30pm on weekdays) is available to students, staff and members of the public.

To apply:

Register in the vPermit system
Select the after-hours option from the drop-down menu
Once approved and paid, you may park in any ‘UNSW Permit Holder’ bay after 3.30pm on weekdays

Complimentary parking applies from 7.30pm to 7.30am on weekdays, and all day on weekends and public holidays, provided vehicles are parked within marked bays and in accordance with campus parking rules.

UNSW PhD research & residential student parking permits

PhD research students

UNSW PhD research enrolled students are eligible to apply for an all-day parking permit, allowing parking in any bay marked 'UNSW Permit Holder' on campus.

Apply for a PhD Research permit.

When applying, you must provide:

A copy of your vehicle registration or vehicle insurance papers as proof of ownership
If the vehicle is registered under a different name, a statutory declaration is required confirming that the registered owner is not a UNSW student or staff member.

Residential students

Students residing in UNSW-operated accommodation are eligible to apply for a 3-month all-day parking permit (renewable), allowing parking in designated campus carparks.

Submit a Residential Student parking application.

When applying, you must provide:

A copy of your vehicle registration or insurance papers (registered in your name)
A copy of your UNSW Student Accommodation Licence Agreement

If the vehicle is registered in a different name, a statutory declaration is required confirming that the registered owner is not a UNSW student or staff member.

Approval, payment and refunds

Once your application been reviewed and approved by the Parking & Transport team, you may complete payment online.

Delays in payment may result in cancellation of your application.

Permit holders may cancel their permit at any time via their vPermit system. Refunds are calculated from the cancellation date and subject to a $25 administration fee.

Contractors

Contractors working on campus must complete the required Contractor Safety Induction and obtain a UNSW ID card before applying for a parking permit.

Parking permits

Contractors may apply for daily, weekly or 3-month permits via the vPermit system. Payment is made online via credit card.

Once payment is completed, the virtual permit is valid immediately and allows parking in bays marked 'UNSW Permit Holder.’

Loading zones

Loading Zone bays are available for the duration indicated on signage.

Contractors must:

Offload materials promptly, and
Move the vehicle to a permit holder bay once unloading is complete

If extended use of a Loading Zone is required, please contact your Estate Management Project Manager in advance. The Project Manager will coordinate approval with Security & Traffic Management.

For after-hours approvals, contact UNSW Security on 9385 6000.

Extensions are generally granted only for emergency works or where work must be conducted directly from the vehicle.

Permit cancellations and refunds

Permit holders may cancel their permit at any time via the vPermit system.

Refunds are calculated from the cancellation date and subject to a $25 administration fee.

Mobility parking

Under the NSW Mobility Parking Scheme, permit holders may park in any unreserved bay on campus free of charge.

Your Mobility Parking Permit must be clearly displayed when the permit holder is travelling in the vehicle.

To avoid receiving an infringement, please ensure:

The permit is valid and clearly visible
The permit holder is present in the vehicle
All other campus parking conditions are observed

Vehicles parked in Mobility Parking spaces without complying with the scheme conditions may receive an infringement.

Racecourse parking and shuttle (staff only)

Racecourse parking and shuttle

UNSW provides 220 free parking spaces at Royal Randwick Racecourse (Australian Turf Club car park) for staff.

Two courtesy shuttle buses operate every 10-15 minutes during peak periods:

Morning: 7.30am – 10.30am
Afternoon: 3pm - 6pm

The shuttle trip takes approximately 5-8 minutes to campus gates on High Street.

This option can provide more predictable parking availability during busy periods when on-campus stations may reach capacity.

Parking fines and compliance

Parking at UNSW is actively monitored by UNSW Security Parking Officers to ensure parking remains safe, fair and accessible for everyone.

All UNSW campuses (Kensington, Paddington, Western and Randwick) operate as restricted parking areas under the NSW Road Transport Regulation and the Restricted Parking Scheme. Parking infringements are issued under the NSW Government’s Self-Enforcing Infringement Notice Scheme (SEINS) and are administered by Revenue NSW.

An infringement notice may be issued if the vehicle is parked:

without a valid permit
outside marked bay lines
in accessible or restricted spaces without authorisation
contrary to posted signage or parking conditions
in breach of directions provided by UNSW Protective Services.

Vehicles must be parked wholly within marked bays.

Parking infringements issued on campus have the same legal standing as those issued by Police or local Council Rangers. Where an infringement has been issued in accordance with legislation, UNSW is unable to revoke it.

If you believe an infringement has been issued in error, you may lodge an appeal through the Revenue NSW process within the required timeframe.
Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras operate at vehicle entry and exit points at Kensington and Paddington campuses, and within the car parks.

The systems are used to:

Monitor carpark usage trends
Assist with post-incident investigations

UNSW Security Parking officers may activate body-worn cameras (sound and video recording) for safety purposes.
In accordance with amendments to the Fines Act 1996, UNSW publishes reports outlining reasons for not attaching infringement notices to vehicles.

UNSW parking Infringement Report - Oct - Dec 2025

FAQs

On-campus parking may reach capacity between 10am – 2.30pm (Tues – Thurs). Plan your arrival time accordingly.

Staff planning to arrive during these times are encouraged to consider alternative options, including Royal Randwick Racecourse parking or public transport.
UNSW offers 220 free off-site parking spaces at the Royal Randwick Racecourse for staff.

Two courtesy shuttle buses operate every 5-8 minutes during peak periods:

Morning: 7.30 – 10.30am
Afternoon: 3 – 6pm

The shuttle travels between the Racecourse car park entry on Ascot Street and campus gates 2 and 8 on High Street. The shuttle trip takes approximately 5-8 minutes.

Alternatively, the racecourse is approximately:

20-minutes’ walk to the Chancellery Building
15 minutes via the Randwick Light Rail to UNSW High Street

Register for Racecourse parking.
As part of UNSW’s formal lease agreement with Plenary, parking spaces at Botany Street Carpark are being allocated to authorised users approved by Plenary to support industry partners co-locating at the UNSW Health Translation Hub (HTH).

This staged allocation supports collaboration between UNSW researchers and industry partners.
45 bays were allocated from 9 March 2026. This number will increase in stages to a total of 120 bays by 2028.
No. While some spaces at Botany Street are being reallocated, overall parking capacity at Kensington will increase in coming years.

The Barker Street Parking Station upgrade will deliver an additional 500 spaces from Q2 2028.
Yes. As part of the Campus Development Plan, the Barker Street Parking Station upgrade will deliver an additional 500 parking spaces from Q2 2028. An additional 220 carparking spaces will be reinstated at the Iglu Student Accommodation Development on Anzac Parade (also known as the Western Carpark) in 2029.
Parking rates vary depending on user type (staff, student or visitor), parking location and duration.

For current fees and charges, including permit rates and casual parking prices, please visit the Parking rates page.

Complimentary parking is available:

Weekdays: 7.30pm – 7.30am
Weekends and public holidays: all day

If you are unsure which rate applies to you, please contact parking@unsw.edu.au for assistance.
If you are issued with a parking infringement notice, you have 21 days to:

request a review
pay the penalty in full
elect to have the matter heard in court

Infringements are administered by Revenue NSW and have the same legal standing as notices issued by Police or local Council Rangers.

If you believe an infringement has been issued in error, you may lodge a review though Revenue NSW within the required timeframe.

UNSW is unable to revoke infringements that have been issued in accordance with legislation.

For further information, please contact Revenue NSW on 1300 138 118.
Yes. Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are currently located on the rooftop level of the Botany Street Carpark.

To use the chargers, you must download the Chargefox app and set up an account to pay for charging.

Please note:

Standard parking fees still apply via a valid vPermit or the CellOPark app
Charging fees are separate and payable through Chargefox

For more information, visit the UNSW solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations page.
UNSW can accommodate visiting organisations requiring bus or coach parking on campus.

Buses and coaches must park in designated bus bays only.

Available locations (size restrictions apply):

Gate 11 - 1 x mini-bus bay (maximum 22-seater), located on the exit side of Gate 14
Gate 14 - 2 x coach bays (maximum 52-seater), located on the exit side of Gate 14

To book one of these bays, please complete the Scheduled Event booking form at the bottom of the linked page.

Vehicles parked outside the designated bus bays may be subject to infringement.
Yes. Dedicated parking spaces for parents with prams are available at:

Botany Street Carpark – ground floor, entry via Gate 11
Barker Street Parking Station – entry via Gate 14

To use these spaces, a baby capsule or child’s seat must be clearly visible inside the vehicle.

Vehicles parked in these bays without a visible child seat may receive an infringement.

vPermit User Guide

Useful links

student walking on pedestrian crossing past carpark

Parking rules

UNSW Sydney operates under the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) Australian Road Rules 2014, ensuring that all vehicles on campus adhere to strict parking regulations.

Find out more

Parking rates

Please note that our campus is a Restricted Parking Area, and parking is only allowed in marked bays. Parking outside these areas is strictly prohibited and will result in a fine. If you're parking on campus between 7:30am and 7:30pm, Monday to Friday, you'll need a valid parking permit.

Find out more

Getting to UNSW

Getting to UNSW is easy with a variety of commuting options. Whether you’re cycling, walking, running, or taking public transport, each choice aligns with our commitment to ongoing sustainability.

Find out more