In Australia, driving without paying attention to the “No Parking” sign during school hours can now lead to a fine of $235. School traffic is high risk so the purpose of the regulation is to keep children and pedestrians safe. Hence all motorists must comply with the regulation. [1][2]
Understanding the New Law
The law will come into effect on july 1, 2025. All states of Australia will have school zones during the specified times and will enforce a 235 dollar fine for any motorist who “no parks” at the school. The hours of “No Parking” is between 0800 to 0930, and 1430 to 1600. These are also the hours when the school children are traveling to and from school. Hence the times when a motorist drives there, these times the restrictions will be there.
Key Data Table: School Zone Fines
Below is a brief comparison table of school zone parking and speeding fines as of July 2025:
| Offence | Fine ($) | Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Disobey No Parking Sign | $235 | 2 |
| Disobey No Stopping Sign | $423 | 2 |
| Speeding (10 km/h over, Class A) | $246 | 2 |
| Using Mobile in School Zone | $562 | 5 |
The Importance of the School Zone Restrictions
The main reason the law was put into place is for the school parking to be safe. More children than adults are visible during the day and the chances for an accident to occur with traffic is high. Parking without paying attention to the rules increases the risk of accidents happening on the road. The purpose of the 235 fine is to encourage behavior change so safer driving routes can be taken around schools.
Enforcement and Public Response
Australian councils have now increased the number of school patrols to keep in line with the school parking rules. Enforcement officers issue on-the-spot fines and maintain the ability to photograph instances where parking restrictions have been disobeyed. This has been positively received by the school community and parents alike as an important move to enhance the safety of the students.
How Can Drivers Evade the Fines
Drivers are expected to obey the “No Parking” and “No Stopping” signages in the school zones. Brief drop-offs and waiting for children is only permissible in designated pick-up/drop-off zones, and only for as long as the driver stays with the car. There are no more “grace periods” for these violations during peak hours. There are immediate fines.
Overall Impact on Road Safety
Increased concentration of traffic near educational institutions has been noted as a shift in the attitudes towards school safety fines. The other infrastructural changes include, but are not limited to, upgrading speed cameras, enhanced crossing supervision, and increased public information.
