Parking FAQs - University of New England (UNE)

Why has UNE decided to make parking free?

This decision followed a review of parking which found that the benefits of free parking, including improved campus accessibility, reduced financial burden on staff and students, and reduced administrative overheads outweighed the revenue received from paid parking. Blue and purple bay parking is now free general parking. Until signage is changed over please use blue and purple bays as the designated free parking bays.

When does the change take effect?

Free parking will commence on the Armidale campus from 1st May 2025.

What type of parking will still be available on campus?

General parking will still be available for staff, students & visitors in what is currently signposted as Blue and Purple permit parking. Neither a virtual or physical permit is required to either be displayed or linked to the owners registration number.

What happens to Purple (Visitor) bays?

Purple bays will no longer exist and are now free general parking bays

Will UNE still run a Restricted Parking Scheme?

Yes. Signage will remain at the approaches to the University.

Blue and purple parking is free general parking.

Green (contractor/maintenance) bays, Disabled bays, Red bays, Black bays, Timed bays, Loading Bays will still be enforced.

Under a Restricted Parking Scheme, UNE will still issue Penalty Notices to vehicles found not to be parked in accordance with the UNE Parking Policy.

Will the Parking Policy be updated to reflect the changes?

Yes

Will parking still be enforced?

Yes, enforcement will continue for restricted areas such as Green bays, Red bays, Black bays, disabled bays, timed bays and areas not signed posted for parking.

From 1 June 2025, any vehicle parking in these restricted areas may result in the issuing of a Penalty Notice.

Will students also be refunded?

Yes, Staff, Student & Visitors who have purchased a virtual blue parking permit that covers 2025 / 2026 will have that portion (pro rata) (from 1 May 2025) of the total purchase price refunded automatically in the coming months.

Will students be notified of these changes?

Yes, via the UNE Parking web pages & via Social Media.

Why can't I access my parking account?

As the virtual parking permit system was shut down at 23:59 on the 30^th April 2025 to prevent further purchases of permits, by default the customer log in has been disabled.

Am I eligible for a refund for my 2025 /2026 permit?

Yes. If you have a permit that expires any time after 1st May 2025, this portion (only) of the permit sale price will be refunded on a pro rata basis.

The refund will be made automatically in the coming months

Refunds will be calculated on a pro-rata basis purchased in 2024 & 2025 that expire after 1st May 2025.

Do I need to apply for a refund?

No. Most refunds will be processed automatically in the coming months back onto the credit card used to purchase the permit

If your permit was purchased via salary sacrifice, People & Culture will process the refund back into your pay.

Those customers that cant be refunded because of changes to their credit card (i.e. card used to purchase the permit has expired) will be contacted individually to arrange an alternate refund method.

Refunds will be processed automatically in the coming months. There is no need to contact UNE Parking.

What if I paid with a card I no longer have, or a card that has now expired?

This will be picked up by UNE when refunds processed automatically are rejected by the Payment gateway.

Those customers that can’t be refunded will be contacted individually to arrange an alternate refund method.

I am a contractor with a Green Permit. What do I need to know?

Green bays will remain restricted. In the coming weeks UNE will issue you with a physical Green Parking Permit to replace the Virtual one linked to your registration.

Although parking is now free, Green Bay Permits must then be placed on the DASHBOARD so it is visible from outside the vehicle.

If you require a physical Green Permit, please reach out the UNE supervisor you normally report to & they will organise to have one issued.

What if I have accessibility needs or mobility challenges?

If, due to a temporary illness or injury, you require closer access to your building to where you park now, please reach out to UNE Parking located in the C018 Security Office & they will assess your request to find a solution.

Are there changes to reserved Red Bays?

Red paid parking bays remain unchanged. A physical permit will be distributed to Red Bay owners for display on their vehicle.

Can anyone park in a reserved Red Bay?

No. Red Parking bay arrangements will remain unchanged until 28 February 2026.

Physical Red Permits will be distributed to red bay owners who have elected to retain their permit.

Red Bay Permits must be placed on the DASHBOARD so it is viable from outside the vehicle.

Those who have chosen not to retain their Red Permit, parking in your designated Red Permit bay is permissible until 31 May 2025.

From 1 June 2025, any vehicle parking in a red bay, that fails to display a Red Bay Permit may result in the issuing of a Penalty Notice.

Red Permits issued to red bay owners, only allows parking in your designated Red Permit bay ONLY