Parking meter payments and receipts

Overview of parking meter payments

All our parking meters are Pay & Go.

There’s no need to return to your vehicle as our meters do not issue tickets.

Payment details are displayed on the parking meter screen when your car space number is entered.

Please note, these meters also do not give change and Council does not issue refunds for overpayment.

Our area has 443 Pay & Go parking meters.

Pay & Go features

• Payment by coins ($1, $2, 50c, 20c, 10c) or debit/credit card (Visa and MasterCard only).
• All payments are GST inclusive.
• A motorist's payment time is stored within the meter and the time can be viewed on the screen by entering the space number. No tickets or receipts are issued.
• Each Pay & Go meter services several car spaces.
• Each car space has a number on the kerb or footpath, sometimes both depending on the location. The arrow points to the corresponding meter. Note the number and follow the arrow to pay at the correct meter.
• The system has advanced anti-vandalism features.
• Monitoring is via a communications system that automatically reports on internal faults.

Payment options - cash or debit/credit card or smart devices

Payment should be made as soon as possible after you have parked.

You can pay by debit/credit card (Visa and Mastercard), your smart device, or with coins, but please note, change will not be issued.

All parking meters display user-friendly instructions to help you with your transaction.

To adjust your length of stay, use the arrows on the screen and check the fee before finalising your payment.

Minimum credit card and smart device payment is $1.

If you encounter any problems with these meters, call our Parking Meter Fault Line on 1300 880 578.

How to pay at our parking meters

All parking meters display user-friendly instructions to help you with your transaction.

You can pay by credit card or with coins, but please note, change will not be issued.

Each car space has a number on the kerb or footpath, sometimes both depending on the location.

The arrow points to the corresponding meter. Note the number and follow the arrow to pay at the correct meter.

Payment option 1: Coin

1. Enter your car space number.
2. Insert the required coins for the amount of parking time.
3. Overpayment of coins is allowed if the customer does not have the correct amount, however no change is given.  
4. Check your car space number on the screen to verify payment.

Payment option 2: Debit/credit card and Tap & Go (Paypass/Paywave/Smart Device)

Note that the meter debit/credit card systems and the required payment steps outlined below have been requested by the main banks and are PCI compliant. When the motorist is requested to OK a payment step, this is their authorisation to the bank in real time to continue and progress further with their payment. 

1. Enter your car space number.
2. Press OK.
3. Use the arrow buttons to adjust the amount you need to pay (see note below).
4. Press OK.
5. Tap your card against the external card reader.
6. Wait for the "Payment Approved" screen to appear.
7. Check your car space number on the screen to verify your payment has been processed.
8. If Tap & Go fails, the meter will instruct you to insert or try another card.
9. If you've attempted payment with a smart device unsuccessfully, call the meter hotline number (1300 880 578) or contact our Customer Service Team. Once the meter payment issue is reported, and you have been given a reference number, you can park for the time stated on parking signs. Please note, it is advisable to have a debit/credit card as a backup to pay at our meters. 

Or insert debit/credit card

1. Enter your car space number.
2. Insert your debit/credit card (note: card will be captured until the transaction is complete).
3. Use the arrow buttons to adjust the amount you need to pay (see note below).
4. Press the OK.
5. Follow the screen prompts.
6. Wait for the "Payment Approved" screen to appear.
7. Check your car space number on the screen to verify your payment has been processed.

Additional debit/credit card and Tap & Go (Paypass/Paywave/Smart Device) payment information

• Parking meters automatically calculate the cost of the maximum allowed time to park.

• To stay for a shorter period and pay less, you must adjust the parking duration and fee before finalising your payment.

• To adjust, press the arrow buttons on the credit card payment screen. The amount will decrease/increase by 50c each time you press the arrow. Minimum credit card payment is $1.

• Adjustments must be made to payment/duration before you press OK to confirm payment. This also authorises your payment.

Payment option 3: Parking apps

Parkmobile ceased operations from 31 March 2022. We are currently seeking a new pay-by-phone service provider.

Using the Prepay option

All meters, with the exception of AM clearways or the special parking zones, will allow you to prepay for your parking in advance. For example, if paid meter parking starts at 8.30am and you arrive at 6am, you can still pay for your parking from 8.30am.

The PREPAY OPTION commences at 5am.

1. Enter your car space number. Your space number will be indicated on the ground near your car space with an arrow pointing to the connecting meter. Please ensure you pay at the correct meter as each space has a specific meter linked to it.
2. The 'PREPAY OPTION' will display on the LCD screen.
3. Make your payment by coin, credit card or smart device.
4. The meter will then display the time paid PLUS the free parking time (time before meter operation). The meter will commence counting down in seconds from the time of the prepay transaction until payment is expired.
5. When the meter begins operation, the actual paid time will continue to display and it will count down in seconds until the payment has expired.
6. To check if the meter is expired, enter the car space number on the meter.

Parking meter receipt and ticket information

Council’s meters are Pay & Go. They do not issue receipts or parking tickets to display in your vehicle.

The meters will allow overpayment of coins for the convenience of the customer but are unable to give change. Council does not issue refunds.

Requesting receipts

Council does not issue tax invoices for payments under $82.50 (refer to the Australian Taxation Office's website page Valid tax invoices and GST credits).

Contact your tax accountant for the best method of logging parking meter transactions for tax purposes. North Sydney Council ABN: 32 353 260 317

Duplicate parking meter debit or credit card transactions

Occasionally, failed transactions will appear on your bank statement as a pending transaction until the bank can confirm the transaction failed.

This can look like a duplicate transaction.

Once the bank receives confirmation, the money will be released. This can take up to five working days.

Until then, the failed transaction will appear beside the successful transaction on your statement.