Using private car parks
When you enter a private car park, such as a shopping centre carpark, casino carpark or general carparks run by operators, you are entering into a contract with the operator and agreeing to a set of terms and conditions.
The owner or operator of the private car park can choose whether to apply and enforce parking conditions in their parking areas. This may include towing unauthorised vehicles from the carpark.
Fees and charges
Private car park operators may set their own fees and charges. You should check the terms and conditions as well as the cost before using a private car park.
An operator may issue a payment notice if you breach the terms or conditions of the contract.
Payment notices or demands for payment are not fines. Only governments or courts can issue fines.
To enforce the payment notice, an operator may:
- take action through the courts
- justify their breach of contract claim with evidence
- secure a ruling that you did not meet the terms and conditions of the contract.
Disputing payment notices
If you have received a payment notice and wish to dispute it, you should contact the car park operator and explain:
- your intention not to pay
- the reasons you won't be paying.
If the matter remains unresolved, you should seek independent legal advice.
We don't recommend ignoring a payment notice.
Misleading terms and conditions
Under the Australian Consumer Law, car park operators can't make misleading claims or use unfair contract terms in standard-form consumer contracts.
Private car park contract terms and conditions should be:
- fair
- transparent
- written in plain English.
You can make a consumer complaint if you encounter misleading car park signage (e.g. if a sign says the maximum cost is $200 and you are charged $250).