Starting today, ticketless parking fines will be abolished in New South Wales, following a decision by the state government to rectify what was deemed an unfair system. Local councils are now mandated to issue parking fines immediately when offences occur, a shift from the previous approach introduced in 2020, which saw fines issued weeks later and a significant surge in the number of fines—nearly a 50% increase.
Previously, this ticketless system meant that many motorists received parking fines well after the infringement, making the experience more frustrating. The Minister for Finance, Courtney Houssos, described the old process as unjust when the law was amended. She stated, “Nobody enjoys receiving a parking fine, and finding out about it weeks later is even more disheartening.” Houssos emphasised that reinstating on-the-spot fines restores fairness and integrity to the process.
The Fines Amendment Bill was approved by the government in November 2024, allowing councils until July 1, 2025, to make the necessary adjustments. Reports indicate that 30 councils have already either reverted to immediate fines or plan to do so. From today, councils must issue fines at the moment of the offence, except in rare situations where a ranger cannot physically leave a ticket.
Data from 2023 reveals that the Bankstown-Canterbury council garnered $13.7 million from 57,418 ticketless fines. However, there has been a notable decrease in such fines in 2025, with fewer than 6,000 issued in the first half of the year, compared to almost 28,000 in 2024. In summary, ticketless parking fines have seen a 15% reduction in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, marking a significant shift in the enforcement of parking regulations in the state.