PayStay parking information

From 9 December 2024 the University will change parking providers to utilise PayStay parking. Unlike Pay As You Go (PAYG) parking, a virtual parking system allows you to pay for parking without having to buy a ticket or deposit coins in a meter.

New to PayStay? Receive $5 credit when you sign up to PayStay and set your payment method to Click to Pay with Mastercard.

PayStay parking

PayStay parking is a virtual parking system allowing you to manage your parking sessions with the PayStay mobile app, PayStay website, SMS, Interactive Voice Response (IVR), phone our customer service centre or use the PayStay guest feature for app-less digital payment.

What are the benefits of using the PayStay app?

The PayStay app provides the following features:

• Ability to link your account to access ANU staff and student discount pricing
• Get information on which areas have more available parking spaces
• Start and stop your parking session, paying only for the exact time you park
• Use your phone instead of a parking meter to view a timer with accurate information on when your parking will expire
• Opt-in to receive reminders of when your parking session is nearing its end
• PayStay can inform users when spaces are available in certain carparks. Currently, this feature can only be used in the 3hr parking (3P) PayStay zones and on levels 4 and 5 of the Baldessin parking station.

Parking availability in PayStay zones

The University has enabled this feature for some car parks on campus. Currently, this feature can only be used in the 3P PayStay zones and on levels 4 and 5 of the Baldessin parking station.

Within these parking zones, staff and students can use the PayStay app to see where there is availability to park. In the app, this is conveyed through colour. Green sections of the parking map indicate abundant parking, whereas orange indicates less parking.

Payment Options

There are five payment options at a virtual PayStay meter, including:

• Through the PayStay app, available from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store
• Scanning the QR code and following the prompts on your mobile screen
• Logging into www.paystay.com.au
• Contacting the PayStay call centre on 1300 322 111
• Sending an SMS to 0419 962 119 and following the instructions in the section below

Some PayStay methods, including the PayStay app, webpage log-in and SMS require a registered PayStay account to utilise.

When you register for a PayStay account you will be prompted to enter payment card details. This is because your PayStay account holds funds to be used for parking. When your account balance falls below a minimum amount nominated by you, it tops itself up by debiting your saved payment method for an amount specified by you when you register.

You can change your “Low Balance Threshold” and your “Top Up Amount” at any time, by logging into your PayStay Account at www.paystay.com.au and selecting “Payment & Balance Details” from the user menu.

Alternatively, if you are a non-registered PayStay guest you will be required to enter or choose your payment details for each parking session.

Starting a parking session via SMS

After you have registered for a PayStay account, send an SMS message to 0419 962 119 with the following commands:

Single vehicle registration
Start Message: PARK [Zone Number]
Stop Message: STOP

Multiple vehicle registration
Start Message: PARK [Zone Number] [Vehicle Registration]
Stop Message: STOP [Vehicle Registration]

Registering for PayStay

You can use PayStay without registering by using the PayStay guest feature. Simply scan the QR code on selected parking meters and follow the prompts. Enter the parking zone number, your vehicle registration, state, and mobile number. Then choose the duration of time you’d like to park for (the same way you would with a parking meter). Finally, pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Click to Pay, Visa, MasterCard and AMEX.

The PayStay guest feature can be accessed by either:

• Scanning the QR code located on the virtual PayStay meter and follow the prompts
• Calling the Australia-based contact centre on 1300 322 111 and arranging parking

There are three options to register a PayStay account:

• Via the PayStay app, available from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store
• Online at www.paystay.com.au
• By calling PayStay Customer Service on 1300 322 111

Staff & Student Paystay parking rates

You must register to use the PayStay app using your ANU Single Sign On (SSO) information to obtain staff and student pricing. Please see University’s 2025 parking fees on the Parking Fees webpage.

Please note that discounted Staff & Student rates are not available in 3 hour PayStay zones. 

PayStay guest

The PayStay guest feature allows you to use PayStay without registering. Simply scan the QR code on selected parking meters and follow the prompts. Enter the parking zone number, your vehicle registration, state, and mobile number. Then choose the duration of time you’d like to park for (the same way you would with a parking meter). Finally, pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Click to Pay, Visa, MasterCard and AMEX.

Charging for parking sessions

The PayStay service is designed to ensure you pay for the exact length of time that you are parked, rather than paying for more time. The start and stop model offered by the PayStay app allows you to start your session when you park your car and then stop your session when you exit the parking facility.

However, if you are using the PayStay guest rather than the app, you are required to specify the exact time you'd like to park and pay for that time in advance, as you would with a pay and display machine.

You are always required to comply with any time limit or other parking restrictions at ANU.

Parking fees

See the University’s 2025 parking fees on the Parking Fees webpage.

To access discounted parking, you’ll need to be a registered PayStay user. Follow these steps to get started.

1. If you’re not already a Registered PayStay user, register for a PayStay account via the PayStay app, available from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Alternatively, you can register online at www.paystay.com.au, or by calling PayStay Customer Service on 1300 322 111.
2. When you’re ready to pay for parking at ANU, enter or confirm the zone number you’d like to park in.
3. On the next screen click the ‘Link to Account’ button.
4. On the PayStay screen, enter your PayStay login details. These are the details you set up when you registered your PayStay account.
5. On the ANU Single Sign-On screen, enter your ANU login details.
6. The next screen will confirm you have successfully linked your ANU and PayStay account. This means your discounted parking rates will now be automatically applied to your PayStay parking sessions at ANU.

There is a service fee for payments made with PayStay app, PayStay guest and Touch N Go virtual meter. This service fee is 8.25 per cent of your parking fee. The total cost of your parking session including the service fee will be shown on screen.

There is also a fee for optional reminder services, costing 34 cents per reminder. A warning will be displayed on the screen where you set your parking duration if reminder services are enabled. You can turn this service off at any time by pressing the bell icon on the same screen.

Associated charges

Touch N Go / PayStay guest

• 8.25 per cent surcharge on all transactions
• Pay in one-minute increments
• Prepay for on the day parking available

PayStay app

• 8.25 per cent service fee on all transactions
• Minimum Account Balance: $5
• Minimum top up amount: $10
• Optional opt in reminder services: 34c per SMS reminder