Parking in Ballarat

If you park between two signs with the word "meter,” that is a metered space, and you must pay for parking or claim a free hour of parking. 

If the sign for the parking space does not have the word "meter," you do not have to pay. Pay attention to the timing restrictions of unmetered parking spaces. If you stay parked in a space longer than allowed, you may receive a fine.

Download the CellOPark app using your smartphone.

During set up, you can choose to use the free version or pay for the premium version for $1.99 per month. You do not need to pay for the premium version to park in Ballarat.

Set up your account in the app by adding your car’s registration number (you can link multiple cars) and payment details. Now you are ready to start using the app.

1. Once you have parked, open the app on your phone. Confirm your location if your smartphone’s ‘location services’ are enabled or select your location.

2. Press the start button to begin your session. You will only start to pay for parking after your first hour of free parking has ended.

3. When you get back to your car, remember to press stop or you will continue to pay for parking.

 That’s it! All payments will be taken out of your account towards the end of the month.

You will notice $1 is deducted from your bank account after you set up the app on your phone. This is a one-off payment to confirm your card is linked to the app. You will be refunded the $1.

You will also notice that the timer on the app counts down, this shows you how many paid parking hours remain in the day. Hit stop at any time to end your session. You can also extend your parking time from anywhere using the app.

The paid version of the app allows you to set up alerts so when you leave a space you don’t accidentally leave a parking session running. You cannot set up alerts in the free version.

Once you have parked, follow the signs on the ground to find the nearest parking meter or see the map below to find the nearest meter to you.  

1. Enter your number plate into the parking meter, then press OK.  

2. If you are parking on the street, select on-street and press OK.  
   If you are parking in an off-street carpark, select the name of the car park you are in, then press OK. 
   
   Parking for less than an hour?
   Hit the ‘complete’ button to secure your one hour of free parking for the day and you’re all done! 
   
   Parking for longer than an hour? 
   Select the 'pay for more time' option and then select the ‘pay by coin’ or ‘pay by card option.’
   You will still get one hour of free parking on top of the time you are about to pay for.

   1. Paying by coins: Insert your coins and select OK. You will notice you can see how long you have paid for on the screen.  

   2. Paying with card: Use the arrows to select more or less time to pay for. Once you are happy with the time you have selected, hit OK then tap to pay. 
      (If you decided you no longer wish to pay for more parking, press ‘cancel.’ Your coins will be refunded, or the card transaction cancelled.) 

3. If you would like a receipt - select yes and you will be given a four-digit number that you can use to download a receipt from my-receipt.com. Jot this number down or go straight to the website on your smartphone. 

That’s it! There is no need to return to the machine unless you want to insert more coins to extend your stay.

You can top up your stay from any meter, you do not need to return to the meter nearest your car.

• If you choose to download your receipt, you can register your email so every time you select to receive a receipt on a parking meter, you will be emailed a copy of the receipt.  

• You do not need to log off or hit stop on any parking meter when you leave but you do need to press stop in the app. 

• You will not be charged any more than you have already paid for at the parking meter. If you stay in a parking space for longer than you paid for, you may receive a fine.  

• There are no paper tickets to display on your dashboard. 

• There is no limit to how long you can stay in a metered parking space if the hours you stay are paid for. Every space is potentially an all-day space if you keep the meter topped up or the app counter running.  

Browse the map to find your nearest coin or tap-only parking meter.

You may be eligible for a residential parking permit if you live in a street where parking restrictions apply.

Smarter Parking has made no change to disability parking permits or rules across Ballarat.  

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page to find answers to your questions or, if you cannot find what you are looking for, you can contact us on (03) 5320 5500.