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Parking at Macquarie
Everything you need to park on campus - where to park, how to pay, and what it costs.
Macquarie University's Wallumattagal Campus has more than 4,500 spaces across 14 car parks, including accessible bays, free motorcycle parking, and short-term drop-off near the Sport and Aquatic Centre and childcare centres.
Most parking is ticketless - we use licence plate recognition, so there's no ticket or permit to display. Just register your plate and pay.
Which option is right for you?
The best payment option depends on how often you park on campus: vPermit is ideal for regular drivers, while PAYG suits occasional visits. Visitors can pay using PAYG or a ticket machine.
Choose just one option - vPermit or PAYG.
| If you… | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Drive in regularly (staff or student) | vPermit | Cheapest per day; pay only for the period you need |
| Park now and then | PAYG | Pay by the minute, no commitment |
| Are visiting campus | PAYG or ticket machine | No account needed for ticket machines |
vPermit for regular parking
Choose the period that suits you - 30, 60 or 90 days, half-yearly or annual - and pay only for the time you need. Your licence plate is your permit, so there's nothing to display.
For the general zones, the further out you park the less you pay - Blue is cheapest, Green dearest - so you can save by choosing a cheaper zone and walking a little further.
2026 student vPermit rates
| Zone | 30 Days | 60 Days | 90 Days | Half-Year | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue (West 5 & 6) | $61.07 | $122.14 | $183.21 | $371.50 | $743.00 |
| Yellow (West 4) | $63.78 | $127.56 | $191.34 | $388.00 | $776.00 |
| Green (South 2 & West 3) | $69.37 | $138.74 | $208.11 | $422.00 | $844.00 |
| Reserved - dedicated bay (East 3) | $344.47 | $688.93 | $1,033.40 | $2,095.50 | $4,191.00 |
Even parking two days a week, a Blue vPermit already costs less than PAYG - and the more often you park, the more you save. vPermits run for up to 12 months (1 January to 31 December), pro-rata for shorter periods. A $50 admin fee applies to cancellation refunds, and you must be enrolled in a current study module.
2026 staff vPermit rates
| Zone | 30 Days | 60 Days | 90 Days | Half-Year | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue (West 5 & 6) | $83.34 | $166.68 | $250.03 | $507.00 | $1,014.00 |
| Yellow (West 4) | $87.37 | $174.74 | $262.11 | $531.50 | $1,063.00 |
| Green (South 2 & West 3) | $91.32 | $182.63 | $273.95 | $555.50 | $1,111.00 |
| Pink - Lakeside (East 6) | $99.29 | $198.58 | $297.86 | $604.00 | $1,208.00 |
| Staff-only (East 4, North 4 & West 7) | $99.29 | $198.58 | $297.86 | $604.00 | $1,208.00 |
| Staff-only - Chancellery ( East 5) | $108.25 | $216.49 | $324.74 | $658.50 | $1,317.00 |
| Staff premium (East 2 & 3) | $108.25 | $216.49 | $324.74 | $658.50 | $1,317.00 |
| Reserved - dedicated bay (East 3) | $378.90 | $757.81 | $1,136.71 | $2,305.00 | $4,610.00 |
Staff-only, Chancellery, premium and reserved zones are priced separately as restricted or dedicated parking. Some zones (including Chancellery and Lakeside) have access conditions - please contact the Parking team for further information. vPermits of six months or longer can be salary sacrificed via fortnightly deductions.
Register for vPermit
To register you'll need your Macquarie OneID, your MQ email, a debit/credit card (for permits under six months), and your licence plate. You can register more than one vehicle - just set the "active" plate for the car you're driving that day.
PAYG for occasional parking
Pay by the minute for the time you use, with no commitment. Best if you only park now and then.
PAYG is available in general zones only (not staff-only car parks).
| Zone | Per hour | Max per day |
|---|---|---|
| Blue (West 5 & 6) | $2.70 | $16.10 |
| Yellow (West 4) | $3.80 | $21.40 |
| Green ( South 2 & West 3) | $4.20 | $27.10 |
| Sports fields | $2.40 | $14.50 |
How it works: register with CellOPark, then start your session when you arrive and end it when you leave. It's the driver's responsibility to start and stop each session. Download the CellOPark app (Apple or Android), scan the QR code on car park signage, or go online.
You'll need your MQ OneID, a debit/credit card, and your licence plate. You must be enrolled in a current study module, or the visitor rate applies (no refunds).
Visitor parking and ticket machines
Park in any general campus car park and pay by ticket machine (by the hour) or PAYG (by the minute). Charges are $22.40 for the first hour, then $11.10 for each additional hour ($89.30 max daily).
Ticket machines are at West 3, West 4 and West 5, and accept gold coins, debit and credit cards. Display the ticket printed-side up on the driver's-side dashboard.
Sports Fields visitors: $2.40 per hour ($14.50 max daily).
Interactive campus map
Select a coloured area to view its information.
Frequently asked questions
How do I access Macquarie University Hospital?
Hospital parking is separate - University permits and payment don't apply. Follow the signs and payment instructions at 3 Technology Place. Hospital clinic ticket machines charge $9.00 (first hour), $15.10 (second hour), up to a $19.00 maximum for three hours.
Where can I park my bicycle?
Bicycles must be parked in the designated bicycle racks located across campus. Bicycles secured to light poles, railings, fences or other infrastructure may be tagged with a warning by Campus Security, and if not moved within 3 days of being tagged, may be removed and impounded.
Where can I park my motorcycle?
Motorcycles and motor scooters park free of charge in designated, signposted motorcycle areas - currently South 2 and West 3. You don't need a vPermit or a PAYG session to park in these areas.
What happens if I don’t pay?
Parking without payment or contrary to the parking rules may result in a parking fine. Compliance is enforced under the NSW Road Rules for a Restricted Parking Area, and penalty notices are processed by Revenue NSW. Parking is monitored through a combination of patrols and licence plate recognition.
To avoid a fine:
- Obey all parking and road signs.
- Park only in bays and zones you're permitted to use.
- Have a valid vPermit or active PAYG session at all times.
- Set the correct "active" vehicle on your account.
Can I buy a vPermit for only part of the year?
Yes. vPermits are available in 30, 60 and 90-day, half-yearly and annual periods, so you can match your permit to your study session or work period rather than paying for a full year. You can buy one at any time - the cost is pro-rata, but every vPermit runs to a maximum of twelve months and expires on 31 December.
What happens if I'm not currently enrolled (students)?
You must be enrolled in a current study module (not one starting in the future) to pay the student rate. If you're not, the visitor rate applies, and no refunds are given in that situation.
What if I forget to end my PAYG session?
It's the driver's responsibility to both start and end each parking session using your CellOPark PAYG account. You can end your session via the app or online when you leave. If you have trouble, contact CellOPark at support@cellopark.com.au or via the CellOPark FAQ page.
Can I use PAYG in a staff-only car park?
No. PAYG is only available in General Zone car parks, not in staff-only car parks.
Can I register more than one car?
Yes. You can register multiple vehicles on one account. However, the system does not automatically recognise which car you're driving, so you must select the correct "active" vehicle on your account for the day. Failing to select the active vehicle can result in a fine.
Why doesn't the system automatically recognise which car I'm driving?
If every registered vehicle were recognised at once, a single permit could effectively cover several different cars parked on campus at the same time. Selecting your active vehicle only takes a moment through your account and keeps your parking recognised as paid - remember, it's the driver's responsibility to select the correct active vehicle before parking.
Does my permit guarantee a space?
No. A standard vPermit lets you park in your zone but doesn't guarantee a space on any given day. The one exception is Reserved parking - a Reserved permit gives you a dedicated, marked bay that's yours to use, so you park in the same spot every day.
Who can assist me with my parking enquires?
The Macquarie University parking team can be reached at parking@mq.edu.au for assistance. The parking team work 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and will respond within 24 hours.
Virtual permit (vPermit)
Purchase a vPermit and register your car online
Purchase your vPermitPay as you go (PAYG) park
Use the CellOPark site or app for PAYG parking
Register with CellOPark
Virtual permit (vPermit) parking
Fines may apply for non-compliance with Macquarie University’s Traffic and Parking policy.
Read about our rules and fines