To ensure customers are provided with a superior experience, Melbourne Airport provides Hire Car and Limousine drivers with exclusive dedicated parking bays at reduced parking rates. The following sections outlines the terms and conditions of accessing these areas.
However, Hire Car and Limousine drivers are not required to use these areas and may park in public parking bays at Terminal 123 or at Terminal 4 car park in accordance with standard parking rates.
Authorisation to operate at the airport
For security purposes, all commercial licensed drivers and their vehicles operating within Melbourne Airport, including VHA, must be authorised. This means holding a current Landside Driver’s Authority (LDA) and Landside Vehicle Authority (LVA). This is in addition to the current Driver’s Certificate or Commercial Passenger Vehicle License issued by the Taxi Services Commission.
Application Process
You can now apply for a Landside Driver Authority, Landside Vehicle Authority or VH Parking Card via the online self-service portal. To access the portal please click here.
For all other enquiries please email [email protected].
Approved applicants will be sent notification of collection date.
Upon collection you are required to present your current Drivers Licence.
*Please note applications can take up to 30 business days to process.
Fees
Fees are charged for vehicles using the VHA parking area in the At Terminal T1 T2 T3 and At Terminal T4 Car Parks.
Access to these designated areas and payment of the applicable fee are provided by use of an access card. Applications to be submitted at the Security Services office.
Melbourne Airport provides three locations for VHA drivers to park and collect their passengers from the terminals. The following spaces are available:
- 75 spaces available at T1 on ground level of the At Terminal T1 T2 T3 Car Park
- 24 spaces near T3, on level 1 of the At Terminal T1 T2 T3 Car Park
- 11 spaces near T4, on level 2 of the At Terminal T4 Car Park.
| VEHICLE TYPE | DURATION | FLAT RATE (INC. GST)* | CONGESTION & EXCESS CHARGES |
| Pre-booked taxis | 0-15 mins | $4.40 | Yes |
| 15-30 mins | $4.95 | Yes | |
| 30-60 mins | $9.90 | Yes | |
| 1-3 hours | $26.40 | Yes | |
| 3 hours+ | Terminal T1, T2, T3 Drive up Rates | Yes |
| VEHICLE TYPE | |
| Pre-booked taxis | 0-15 mins |
| 15-30 mins | |
| 30-60 mins | |
| 1-3 hours | |
| 3 hours+ |
*The above rates are effective from 01 January 2024.
FAQs
Is there a fee for dropping off a passenger from Melbourne Airport?
There is no fee. You can drop off passengers for free in the public drop off areas on Departures Drive and At Terminal T4.
Is there a fee for picking up a passenger from Melbourne Airport?
Yes. The applicable access fees are shown in the tables above.
Can I park in the Public Pick Up lanes to collect my passengers?
No. This lane is dedicated to public pickup. VHA drivers are to park in the zones outlined above in accordance with VHA terms and conditions.
Where can I park my stretched limousine to collect my passengers?
If your vehicle can fit in the At Terminal T1 T2 T3 Car Park, then you can park in the VHA permit zone (if the vehicle has a valid permit) or elsewhere in the car park. If your vehicle does not fit in the car park, then Melbourne Airport does not have suitable infrastructure to cater for your vehicle.
Can I leave my vehicle unattended to meet my passenger within the terminal?
Yes. The designated parking areas are located in the At Terminal Car Parks and therefore vehicles can be left unattended. However, for security purposes, unattended vehicles may not be left in any other part of the forecourt.
If I have arrived too early, is there somewhere I can park for free and wait for my flight to arrive?
Yes. You may park your vehicle at the Primary Taxi Holding Area (PHA) accessed from Francis Briggs Road. This facility provides a café, toilets, prayer rooms and a Flight Information Display (FID). Please use the bays marked for VHA only. You must have a vehicle permit to park in this area. Please note there is limited space available in this area so its use is not advised for longer dwell periods.
If I do not have a prior booking can I park in the Car Park and wait for a passenger to approach me?
No. All hire car services to and from Melbourne Airport are required to be pre-booked. It is an offence under the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 for an operator or their employee, agent or contractor to tout or solicit passengers. Melbourne Airport and the Taxi Services Commission regularly conduct checks on drivers in the terminal. Any driver caught inappropriately offering rides faces fines and the cancellation of their LDA vehicle permit and access.
Another driver recently advised me that I do not need an LDA to operate at the airport. Is this true?
No. Melbourne Airport requires all VHA drivers to obtain and display an LDA whilst picking up passengers at the airport. Drivers are required to show their LDA if requested by an authorised person. Failure to do so may result in an infringement under the Provisional Infringement Notice Scheme. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the vehicle permit and the operator’s privilege to operate at Melbourne Airport, including any special parking rates.
I have been issued with a Penalty Infringement Notice from Melbourne Airport. Do I have to pay it?
Yes. Penalty Infringement Notices issued by the airport are enforceable under the Airports (Control of On‑Airport Activities) Regulations 1997. Failure to pay the infringement will lead to court action and cancellation of the vehicle permit, and the operator’s privilege to operate at the Melbourne Airport, including any special parking rates.
How do I provide feedback or raise issues with Melbourne Airport?
Melbourne Airport meets with the taxi and hire car industry regularly to discuss developments at the airport. Please liaise with your industry representatives who attend these forums. If you would like to address your concerns with us directly please contact [email protected] or call +61 3 9297 1318.
How to a lodge a complaint with Melbourne Airport?
If you would like to lodge a complaint, you can email [email protected].
Is there a fee for dropping off a passenger from Melbourne Airport?
There is no fee. You can drop off passengers for free in the public drop off areas on Departures Drive and At Terminal T4.
Is there a fee for picking up a passenger from Melbourne Airport?
Yes. The applicable access fees are shown in the tables above.
Can I park in the Public Pick Up lanes to collect my passengers?
No. This lane is dedicated to public pickup. VHA drivers are to park in the zones outlined above in accordance with VHA terms and conditions.
Can I leave my vehicle unattended to meet my passenger within the terminal?
Yes. The designated parking areas are located in the At Terminal Car Parks and therefore vehicles can be left unattended. However, for security purposes, unattended vehicles may not be left in any other part of the forecourt.
If I have arrived too early, is there somewhere I can park for free and wait for my flight to arrive?
Yes. You may park your vehicle at the Primary Taxi Holding Area (PHA) accessed from Francis Briggs Road. This facility provides a café, toilets, prayer rooms and a Flight Information Display (FID). Please use the bays marked for VHA only. You must have a vehicle permit to park in this area. Please note there is limited space available in this area so its use is not advised for longer dwell periods.
If I do not have a prior booking can I park in the Car Park and wait for a passenger to approach me?
No. All hire car services to and from Melbourne Airport are required to be pre-booked. It is an offence under the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 for an operator or their employee, agent or contractor to tout or solicit passengers. Melbourne Airport and the Taxi Services Commission regularly conduct checks on drivers in the terminal. Any driver caught inappropriately offering rides faces fines and the cancellation of their LDA vehicle permit and access.
Another driver recently advised me that I do not need an LDA to operate at the airport. Is this true?
No. Melbourne Airport requires all VHA drivers to obtain and display an LDA whilst picking up passengers at the airport. Drivers are required to show their LDA if requested by an authorised person. Failure to do so may result in an infringement under the Provisional Infringement Notice Scheme. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the vehicle permit and the operator’s privilege to operate at Melbourne Airport, including any special parking rates.
I have been issued with a Penalty Infringement Notice from Melbourne Airport. Do I have to pay it?
Yes. Penalty Infringement Notices issued by the airport are enforceable under the Airports (Control of On‑Airport Activities) Regulations 1997. Failure to pay the infringement will lead to court action and cancellation of the vehicle permit, and the operator’s privilege to operate at the Melbourne Airport, including any special parking rates.
How do I provide feedback or raise issues with Melbourne Airport?
Melbourne Airport meets with the taxi and hire car industry regularly to discuss developments at the airport. Please liaise with your industry representatives who attend these forums. If you would like to address your concerns with us directly please contact [email protected] or call +61 3 9297 1318.
How to a lodge a complaint with Melbourne Airport?
If you would like to lodge a complaint, you can email [email protected].