Parking Space Levy
Project overview
Key benefits
- The aim of the PSL is to discourage car use in leviable districts while attracting customers to public transport by funding around $100 million of improvements to essential infrastructure each year, such as commuter car parks and interchanges.
Parking Space Levy Regulation Review
Transport is undertaking a comprehensive review of the Parking Space Levy scheme, to ensure that it is delivering the best outcomes for local communities. The range of issues that are being explored under the review include:
- development of a PSL classification framework and key metrics that will be used to determine where PSL applies, and how PSL applies in an area
- confirmation, modification, introduction or removal of exemptions to pay PSL
- development of a consultation and prioritisation framework for the allocation of funds collected under PSL
- improved administration processes.
An initial consultation was conducted in October – November 2023 with the release of a discussion paper: discussion paper (PDF, 748.02 KB).
The initial consultation has now closed for submission.
Read a summary report of the submissions received (PDF, 184.92 KB).
The Government is extending the timeframe for the remake of the Parking Space Levy Regulation to give careful consideration to the diverse range of feedback received.
Transport for NSW will provide further updates on this webpage in mid-2024 on next steps.
Where does the PSL apply
The Parking Space Levy applies to leviable premises in the districts of:
- Sydney's CBD, North Sydney/Milsons Point (Category 1 districts).
- Bondi Junction, Chatswood, Parramatta and St Leonards (Category 2 districts).
Boundary maps of each of the PSL districts are below:
Sydney CBD
Sydney CBD parking space levy
North Sydney
North Sydney parking space levy
Bondi Junction
Bondi Junction parking space levy
Chatswood
Chatswood parking space levy
Parramatta
Parramatta parking space levy
St Leonards
St Leonards parking space levy
How much does the PSL cost
PSL rates are indexed annually to movements in the Consumer Price Index (All Group Index) for Sydney. From 1 July 2023 the Parking Space Levy rates are:
- $2,800 per space in Category 1 areas
- $1,000 per space in Category 2 areas
Some parking spaces are exempt from the PSL. This includes parking spaces where a space is set aside exclusively for:
- The parking of motor vehicles by persons who hold mobility parking scheme authorities
- The parking of motor vehicles by persons who reside on the premises or on adjoining premises
- The parking of motor vehicles for the purpose of loading/unloading of goods or passengers
- The parking (without charge) of any motor vehicles owned or occupied by a religious body, a public charity or benevolent institution.
For full details of exemptions please see the Parking Space Levy Regulation 2019.
If you need further information about how the PSL might apply to a property you own, or whether you are eligible for an exemption, you should visit the Revenue NSW.
How are PSL funds spent
Under the Parking Space Levy Act 2009, all revenue from the PSL must be paid into a special account – the Public Transport Fund – and can only be used for specific purposes, including funding:
- Public transport services
- Projects that facilitate access by public transport to and from, or within, leviable districts, including projects for the construction, maintenance and ongoing management of parking facilities, and other such infrastructure
- Initiatives for the communication of information to commuters, including initiatives that make use of new technologies.
The PSL raises around $100 million each year, the vast majority of which is used to fund public transport infrastructure projects, such as commuter car parks, transport interchanges and light rail lines. Significant projects such as the Hurstville Bus Interchange, the Liverpool to Parramatta T-Way, the Inner West Light Rail Extension and Sydney Light Rail have been funded with substantial contributions from the Parking Space Levy. In the 2020-21 financial year, the PSL raised $107 million.
A summary of the capital projects (PDF, 338.87 KB) that have been completed in 2019-20 and the level of funding from the PSL is also available. Capital projects are continuing to be funded from PSL. There were no further capital projects completed during 2020-21
The total revenue and expenses (PDF, 497.4 KB) to and from the Public Transport Fund from 2011 to 2021 is available to view.
Parking Space Levy Review
TfNSW has completed its review of the Parking Space Levy Act 2009, the report with its recommendations has been tabled and is available.
The discussion paper for the review (PDF, 1.05 MB) is also available.
Where can I get more information about the PSL
Revenue NSW is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the PSL, including assessing property owners’ liability for the PSL and collecting payments. Information for property owners about the PSL is available from the Revenue NSW website.
A statement of the revenue generated, the revenue foregone from exemptions and the projects funded by PSL is available in the TfNSW Annual Report.