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Revised standard recommends larger parking bays across the country
Statements
Updated on 24 March 2026:
Standards Australia is committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of all Australians. As part of this commitment, we develop and update Australian Standards in response to emerging needs, evidence and national trends.
Recent research identified a clear increase in the size of vehicles being purchased and driven in Australia. This trend highlighted the need to review the existing parking bay standard to ensure it continues to reflect contemporary behaviours and supports public safety.
In 2023, Standards Australia proposed an update to increase the size of parking bays based on data on the size and scales of vehicles in Australia.
Public interest in the draft standard was significant, generating more than 1,200 public comment submissions during the consultation period.
The Technical Committee, comprising independent experts, undertook a comprehensive review of all feedback received.
Following an assessment and industry discussions, it has determined that the proposed changes to the standard will be reconsidered and will no longer move forward in their current format.
Standards Australia acknowledges the dedication of the Technical Committee and expresses appreciation to members of the public, industry stakeholders and community groups who contributed their insights throughout the consultation process.
Original article: 15 October 2023
Standards Australia Chief Development Officer, Adam Stingemore, explains: “The last revision to the standard happened 18 years ago. The experts that we work with to put that in place looked at the average car that we drove back in 2004. We have changed our national fleet significantly over the last quarter. Back in 2004 when we last reviewed the standard, about 13% of our national vehicle fleet was an SUV. It’s now about 40%. As our cars have changed, we also need to consider our car parks.”
State and local authorities may have their own requirements in town and area planning regulations and Development Control Plans. However, courts normally consider Australian Standards as prevailing documents.
The proposed changes to the standard AS/NZS 2890.1:2004 - Parking Facilities - Part 1: Off-street car parking are open for public comment until November 9, 2023, at https://comment.standards.org.au/
The revised standard is expected to be finalised in approximately six months.
Updated on 24 March 2026:
Standards Australia is committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of all Australians. As part of this commitment, we develop and update Australian Standards in response to emerging needs, evidence and national trends.
Recent research identified a clear increase in the size of vehicles being purchased and driven in Australia. This trend highlighted the need to review the existing parking bay standard to ensure it continues to reflect contemporary behaviours and supports public safety.
In 2023, Standards Australia proposed an update to increase the size of parking bays based on data on the size and scales of vehicles in Australia.
Public interest in the draft standard was significant, generating more than 1,200 public comment submissions during the consultation period.
The Technical Committee, comprising independent experts, undertook a comprehensive review of all feedback received.
Following an assessment and industry discussions, it has determined that the proposed changes to the standard will be reconsidered and will no longer move forward in their current format.
Standards Australia acknowledges the dedication of the Technical Committee and expresses appreciation to members of the public, industry stakeholders and community groups who contributed their insights throughout the consultation process.
Original article: 15 October 2023
Standards Australia Chief Development Officer, Adam Stingemore, explains: “The last revision to the standard happened 18 years ago. The experts that we work with to put that in place looked at the average car that we drove back in 2004. We have changed our national fleet significantly over the last quarter. Back in 2004 when we last reviewed the standard, about 13% of our national vehicle fleet was an SUV. It’s now about 40%. As our cars have changed, we also need to consider our car parks.”
State and local authorities may have their own requirements in town and area planning regulations and Development Control Plans. However, courts normally consider Australian Standards as prevailing documents.
The proposed changes to the standard AS/NZS 2890.1:2004 - Parking Facilities - Part 1: Off-street car parking are open for public comment until November 9, 2023, at https://comment.standards.org.au/
The revised standard is expected to be finalised in approximately six months.
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