Pay for casual parking

For students, staff and visitors coming to UQ regularly, the PayStay app is the easiest way to pay for casual parking. To claim student or staff rates, you'll need to register your details in PayStay.

Blue virtual meters are installed at St Lucia and Herston for tap-and-go parking. St Lucia also has pay-by-plate machines in some zones to pay without a smartphone.

Dutton Park and Toowong have Spoto bays for casual parking that can be booked in advance.

PayStay app

Use at:

• St Lucia and Herston to pay for casual parking
• St Lucia, Herston, Dutton Park and Long Pocket for motorcycle parking
• Long Pocket for commuter parking.

PayStay allows students, staff and visitors to pay for parking quickly with their smartphone. Simply start a parking session when you arrive, and stop it when you leave.

For student and staff motorcycle parking, and commuter parking at Long Pocket, you'll still need to start and stop your session in PayStay, however no charges will apply.

Pay for casual parking

Set up a PayStay account

1. Download the PayStay app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android), or go to the PayStay website.
2. Create an account using your UQ or personal email address, or sign in if you already have an account.
3. Scroll down and add your vehicle and payment details.
   • PayStay holds funds in your account to pay for parking so you need to set a minimum balance and auto top-up amount (default amount is $10). PayStay will charge this amount immediately and each time your balance runs low.
   • You have an option to select parking expiring reminders which incur fees from PayStay. Select ‘Never send’ if you don’t want to be charged.
4. Go to your email inbox and verify your email address.
5. To claim UQ staff or student rates, return to PayStay and click on Sessions (app) or Parking (desktop). Enter a UQ parking zone number (e.g. 1472700) and select ‘Link to Account’. Log in to UQ Authenticate using your staff or student username and password. Once verified, the relevant rate will be applied automatically.

Start and stop parking sessions in PayStay

1. When you park on campus, start a parking session by selecting the relevant parking zone on the app map or enter the zone number shown on carpark signage.
2. When you return to your car to leave campus, you must stop your parking session. You will be charged the relevant rate.

Cancel your PayStay account

If you cancel your PayStay account, you can request a refund of your remaining account balance directly by contacting PayStay Customer Services on 1300 322 111 or customerservice@paystay.com.au.

Virtual meters

Use at:

• St Lucia to pay for casual parking
• Herston to pay for casual parking.

Blue virtual meters are installed at St Lucia and Herston and allow you to tap your smartphone, or scan a QR code to pay. You'll be able to track your parking session on your phone.

Anyone can use the meters; however, to claim the student or staff rate you need to register your details in PayStay first. If you haven't registered in the app, you'll be charged the full visitor rate.

Instructions for using the PayStay app, and claiming the student or staff rate will be available soon.

Instructions on how to pay by virtual meter are on the sign above the meter.

Pay-by-plate machines

Use at:

• St Lucia to pay for casual parking.

Pay-by-plate machines are available in a limited number of zones at St Lucia. You'll be charged the visitor rate using these machines. Payment is by Visa or Mastercard only.

View the St Lucia parking map (PDF, 695.36 KB) to locate the pay-by-plate machines.

Instructions on how to pay are on the machine.

Spoto bays

Use at:

• Dutton Park to pay for casual parking
• Toowong to pay for casual parking.

Spoto bays have a capped daily rate for students and staff. Visitors can pay by the hour, or the capped daily rate. Spoto bays are limited, so we recommend booking them in advance.

To book and pay for a Spoto bay park:

1. Download the UQ Spoto app or visit the Spoto website.
2. Create an account. You'll need to use your UQ email address to claim the student or staff rates.
3. Make a booking. You'll be prompted to pay with Apple Pay or credit/debit card.
4. On arrival, tap 'Access' in the app or website. The bollard in your booked park will go down so that you can park.