Starting on September 1, 2025, drivers in Australia will face a significant increase in the punishment related to the illegal parking, and some of the most common offenses are currently accompanied by a fine of 789. It is a 65 percent increase to the previous fine of $477, a penalty taken up by law enforcers to help ratchet up compliance and deter dangerous or obstructive parking habits. The justification provided behind this development is twofold: a better vehicular safety and a decrease in the traffic jams in the overcrowded urban corridors. The sheer size of the fine, however, indicated that even small violations might require a heavy financial penalty on the non-professional driver in his/her everyday life[1].
Top 10 Parking Violations that result in Fines.
In fact, the most common offenders, which generate the new hefty fine, are parking on yellow lines, exceeding the given time slot, parking on bus or no-stopping areas, and parking too close to intersections or pedestrian crossings. Specifically, there is a very strict no-stop condition that applies in the yellow lines regardless of any additional signage. According to authorities, many motorists either misunderstand these signs or simply do not see them, and end up making an expensive error. Greater levels of enforcement – through more patrols and computerized scanning systems – have seen more tickets than ever given out[2][1].
New Enforcement System and New Notification System.
Along with the increase in fines, a new provision across New South Wales and other states makes it mandatory that an officer provide an immediate paper notification of all parking breaches, to take effect on July 1, 2025. Instead, the drivers will be provided with a physical ticket delivered to their windscreen and a photographical evidences in order to prove the crime. This protocol ensures transparency, enables motorists to obtain the timely evidence to appeal, and practically ends the period of the so-called invisible ticketless fines, when drivers were not notified about it until several weeks afterwards[3][2].
Why are punishments on the rise?
Governments argue that fines have highly escalated, and that the enforcement has become more stringent to curb the rate of non-adherence and also to ensure a heightened safety of pedestrians and road-users. The issues of fines have also soared in London cities like Sydney and Brisbane in 2024 with fines costing the councils millions of dollars and also making drivers feel like they are being overcharged because of a small violation. And so the legal experts and driving schools are advising drivers to update their understanding of local road regulations to prevent any unwarranted fines[4][1].
How to Avoid a $789 Parking Fine
The greatest defense of drivers is a perfect understanding and observance of all signs, care not to park on the yellow lines, avoid no-stopping and loading spots and to be familiar with the local rules and regulations. Even just a quick stop in a restricted area will probably result in a fine, with the higher usage of cameras and patrols. When an infraction has been committed, drivers are advised to examine the photographic evidence sent along with the fines and appeal as soon as possible in case they consider that a penalty was mistakenly imposed on one of them[1][2].
Details of New 2025 Parking Penalties below
| Offence Type | New Fine (2025) | Previous Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Illegal Parking | $789 | $477 |
| Common Mistake | Yellow line, no stopping, bus zones, overstay limits |
FAQs
Q1: What was the date of the setting of the $789 parking fine?
The new fine takes effect January 1, 2025.
Q2: Which are the most probable mistakes that result in the most fines?
Violation of no-stopping rules, yellow-line parking and bus zone parking will generally result in the penalty of 789.
Q3: Do violations give instant notifications to the drivers?
Yes, beginning July 1, 2025 fines should be accompanied with a physical notice affixed to the vehicle.
