Parent and Pram Parking Bay Requirements

What are parents with prams parking bays, and why are they provided?

Parents with prams parking bays are wider parking spaces, usually near entrances, intended to make parking safer and easier for families with young children in prams. They aren't a legal requirement, but most shopping centres and hospitals provide them as a courtesy for customer convenience and safety.

We’ve marked thousands of car parks across Australia and can tell you these bays matter for parents wrangling kids, bags, and prams all at once. The extra space means less stress, fewer dings, and safer access in busy car parks. While not covered by law, offering pram bays shows you value families—and can help avoid complaints or accidents in high-traffic areas.

• Voluntary courtesy bays, not a legal requirement
• Located close to building entries, lifts, or ramps
• Identified by a pram symbol on the ground and sometimes on a sign
• Wider than a standard bay to allow door opening and pram manoeuvring

Are there any official Australian Standards for parents with prams parking?

There are no formal Australian Standards or legal requirements for parents with prams parking. These bays are a voluntary inclusion, with most facilities using wider dimensions and clear pram symbols as a practical solution guided by industry best practice.

AS/NZS 2890.1, the go-to standard for off-street parking, doesn’t define a “parent with pram” bay class. Property owners decide to provide these bays for customer service, not because the code says so. The main thing is to make them wider and easier to use than a standard bay, and to mark them clearly. For reference, see Standards Australia for the latest guidance or to check the core parking standards.

• No mandatory dimensions or symbols in the standard
• Wider than standard 2.4 m bays; exact width varies by site
• Markings and signage are at the owner’s discretion

How wide should parents with prams parking bays be?

The typical approach is to make parents with prams parking bays wider than the standard, which is 2.4 metres according to AS/NZS 2890.1. Most sites allow extra width for pram access, but there’s no set size—just make sure there’s enough room for doors and prams to move comfortably.

From our experience, you’ll want at least 2.7–3.0 metres of width if you have the space. This makes it easier for parents to open doors wide, lift prams in and out, and load children safely. If you’re short on space, prioritise location over width—closer to the entrance is always better. Always discuss your constraints with a professional line marker so you get a practical bay that suits your users, not just a tick-box.

Bay Type	Typical Width
Standard Car Bay (AS/NZS 2890.1)	2.4 m
Parents with Prams Bay (Typical)	2.7–3.0 m (variable)

Where should parents with prams parking bays be located in a car park?

Parents with prams parking bays should be positioned as close as possible to main building entrances, ramps, or lifts. The aim is to minimise the distance families need to walk with young children, prams, and bags, improving safety and accessibility.

In practice, we recommend placing these bays in prime spots: right by the entry, near accessible paths, and with minimal traffic crossing. If you’re planning a new car park, map out your pedestrian routes and put pram bays where parents will naturally walk. Avoid dead ends, ramps, or spots prone to congestion. The closer and more visible, the more these bays will get used—and the safer your car park will be.

• Near building, lift, or major pedestrian entry
• On flat, even ground—avoid steep ramps
• Clear of trolleys, bollards, or other obstructions
• Well-lit and with good sight lines

How are parents with prams parking bays marked?

Parents with prams parking bays are typically marked with a pram symbol painted on the ground at the head or centre of the bay. Some sites add upright signs as well, but ground symbols are standard. The bays are outlined with highly visible lines, and sometimes use contrasting colours for extra clarity.

We always use durable traffic-grade paint and large, easy-to-see pram stencils. The key is visibility: parents (and everyone else) should know at a glance that the bay is for pram use. If you want to see how this fits into a full car park project, check out our car park line marking guide for step-by-step detail.

• Pram symbol painted in centre or head of bay
• Bold linework—often thicker than standard
• Optional upright “Parents with Prams” sign
• High-contrast paint for visibility

What steps are involved in marking parents with prams parking bays?

Marking parents with prams parking bays is a straightforward process when done by pros. First, the layout is planned with extra width and the best location. Then we prep the surface, mark lines with durable paint, and apply the pram symbol using a stencil. Signage is added if needed.

Here’s how we do it on-site, step by step:

1. Discuss bay count, width, and ideal locations with you (using site plans).
2. Mark out bay boundaries with tape or chalk for your approval.
3. Clean surface—remove dust, oil, and debris to ensure paint adhesion.
4. Apply base lines for bay outline, using wider spacing than standard bays.
5. Stencil and paint pram symbol at head or centre of each bay.
6. Install upright signage if required.
7. Allow for drying/curing time before opening bays to traffic.

We recommend using a professional outfit with experience in car park line marking to avoid costly mistakes and get a finish that lasts.

What symbols and signs are used for parents with prams parking?

The standard marking for parents with prams parking is a pram symbol painted on the bay. There’s no prescribed Australian Standard image, but most contractors use a simple pram or stroller icon that’s instantly recognisable. Optional upright signs can reinforce the message, especially in larger car parks.

We use large-format stencils for clarity, usually painted in white or yellow for contrast. Some sites add the words “Parents with Prams” on signs or even on the ground for extra clarity. Just make sure whatever you use is visible, durable, and clear for all users. If you’re not sure, ask us to show you examples from recent jobs.

• Pram or stroller symbol (ground stencil)
• Optional “Parents with Prams” upright sign
• High-contrast paint (often white or yellow)
• Positioned at bay head or centre

How do parents with prams parking bays compare to accessible (disabled) parking?

Parents with prams parking bays are not equivalent to accessible (disabled) parking. Accessible bays are required by law, with strict dimensions and signage under AS/NZS 2890.6 and the Disability Discrimination Act. Pram bays are a voluntary courtesy with no mandated size or signage.

Accessible bays must comply with the Australian Human Rights Commission guidelines and are enforceable by law. Pram bays, on the other hand, rely on goodwill and are for customer service. Never substitute one for the other—they serve different needs and legal frameworks.

Feature	Accessible Bay	Parents with Prams Bay
Legal requirement?	Yes	No
Standardised dimensions?	Yes (AS/NZS 2890.6)	No (wider than standard)
Enforceable?	Yes	No
Marking	Wheelchair symbol	Pram symbol

What are the common mistakes in marking parents with prams parking bays?

Common mistakes with parents with prams parking bays include making them too narrow, poor visibility of symbols, bad locations, and using non-durable paint. We often get called in to fix faded markings, confusing symbols, or bays squeezed into leftover spaces where they’re hard to use.

Here’s what to avoid:

• Bays narrower than 2.7 m—prams need space for doors and loading
• Bays far from entrances—defeats the purpose
• Symbols too small or unclear—users can’t tell who the bay is for
• Cheap paint—lines fade quickly under traffic and weather
• No signage in large car parks—makes bays easy to miss
• Blocking access with bollards or trolleys

If you’re unsure, get a professional assessment before marking—fixing mistakes later costs more than getting it right first time. For more on avoiding common traps, read our car park line marking guide.

What maintenance is required for parents with prams parking bays?

Parents with prams parking bays need regular maintenance like any other car park marking. This means refreshing faded lines and symbols, keeping signage clean and visible, and ensuring access routes stay clear. Maintenance cycles depend on traffic, weather, and paint quality.

We recommend a yearly check for high-traffic sites, and touch-ups as soon as lines start to fade. Well-maintained bays send a clear message that you care about safety and customer service. If you’re in a high-use area, consider using premium coatings for longer life. For sites in major cities, see our advice on line marking in Sydney for local factors that affect durability.

• Repaint lines and symbols every 1–3 years (site-dependent)
• Check upright signage for damage or fading
• Keep bays and approach paths free of obstacles
• Respond to customer feedback—move or widen bays if needed

How do I decide how many parents with prams parking bays to provide?

There’s no set formula for the number of parents with prams parking bays, unlike accessible bays which have legal ratios. Most sites base it on customer feedback, car park size, and observation—usually 1–3% of total bays in shopping centres, but this is flexible.

We recommend surveying your users or asking your centre management team for input. Monitor usage after installation and be ready to adjust. Remember, more isn’t always better if it means sacrificing other essential bays—focus on quality and placement over raw numbers.

• No mandated ratio—tailor to your customer base
• Typical: 1–3% of spaces in large public car parks
• Prioritise location, then number

What do Australian authorities say about pram bays?

Leading authorities like Austroads and Safe Work Australia recommend considering user needs for all car park users, but don’t set mandatory requirements for parents with prams parking bays. They suggest using best practice to improve safety and access, especially in family-focused venues.

By following industry advice, referencing AS/NZS 2890.1 for general bay design, and consulting with experienced line markers, you’ll end up with practical, user-friendly pram bays that boost your site’s reputation and safety.

• Voluntary inclusion for customer service
• Look to Standards Australia and Austroads for best practice
• Prioritise safety and convenience in design

What should you check before marking or updating parents with prams parking bays?

If you’re planning new or updated parents with prams parking bays, check your site plans, available space, user feedback, and existing layout. Make sure there’s enough width, the right location, and clear marking. Consult with a professional contractor to get a durable, compliant finish.

Here’s a quick checklist:

• Confirm available width (aim for 2.7–3.0 m where possible)
• Choose locations near main pedestrian entries
• Plan for clear pram symbol marking and/or signage
• Check paths for obstacles, ramps, or poor lighting
• Review maintenance needs and future repainting cycles
• Ask for examples or references from your line marking contractor

Still unsure? Upload your plans and we’ll give you a free, practical recommendation that suits your site.

How do you get a quote or more advice on parents with prams parking bays?

Getting a quote for parents with prams parking bays is simple: send us your site plans or photos and we’ll provide a fixed-price quote, tailored to your needs and site constraints. We can advise on bay location, width, marking options, and signage to get the best result for your customers.

We work across all states and can handle projects of any size, from shopping centres to hospitals. For a quick, obligation-free quote, upload your plans here and we’ll get back to you fast. If you want to see how this fits into a full car park project, check our main car park line marking guide.

Ready to make your car park family-friendly? Upload your plans or ask for a fixed-price quote and we’ll help you get it right, first time, every time.