Information for health professionals
A new Accessible Parking Permit (APP) Scheme is rolling out across Victoria. Find out what the changes mean for health professionals.
What do the changes mean for GPs and Occupational Therapists?
GPs and Occupational Therapists will be required to follow the new application process for patients who live in the pilot council areas. Old application forms will not be accepted for these patients.
If you are familiar with your client’s medical condition the online application process does not take long;
- around 5 minutes if an applicant has already started their application online before the consultation
- around 10 minutes if you need to start the application in the consultation.
The functional assessment can be completed via telehealth for regular patients you are familiar with. GPs should continue to use existing forms and your local council’s administration processes for all patients living in non-pilot areas. Occupational Therapists with patients living in non-pilot areas will not be able to assess disability parking permits until the APP Scheme is rolled out to the rest of Victoria in 2021.
New application process
- Your patient will start their application online www.accessibleparking.vic.gov.au and receive an SMS reference number*;
- Your patient will bring the reference number to their appointment with you;
- You will complete an online assessment at www.accessibleparking.vic.gov.au and submit their application;
- Your patient’s local council will review the application.
- If the application is successful, your patient will receive their permit in the mail.
* if your patient has not started their application online or do not have access to the internet you can start the online application on their behalf. If your patient does not have a mobile phone number, you can access a paper form from www.accessibleparking.vic.gov.au.
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapists who have patients in Pilot areas are authorised to undertake functional assessments for eligibility on mobility grounds. You cannot undertake a functional assessment for cognitive or neurological impairments.
As Occupational Therapists are new to the scheme, you may wish to familiarise yourself with the scheme’s criteria by visiting vicroads.vic.gov.au/app before starting functional assessments for your clients.
Clinical Psychologists
Clinical psychologists will no longer be able to complete the functional assessment required as part of a permit application.
The change was made as the Accessible Parking Permit Scheme is primarily a mobility-based scheme and general practitioners and occupational therapists are better placed to make this assessment.
The new scheme rules are now in effect for Knox City, Yarra Ranges Shire, Baw Baw Shire, Latrobe City, South Gippsland Shire, Wellington Shire, East Gippsland Shire or Bass Coast Shire. The remaining councils are expected to adopt the changes in 2021.
If you are practising, or have clients seeking a Disability Parking Permit who resides in the pilot area, you can no longer complete applications.
Clinical psychologists who believe their client may be eligible for an Accessible Parking Permit can write a reference to their client’s GP or OT requesting they conduct a functional assessment. Similarly, GPs or occupational therapists can seek further advice from clinical psychologists if a patient or career of a patient with a cognitive, neurological or behavioural disability is seeking a permit.