Australian Standards for Car Park Line Marking: Your Complete AS 2890 Compliance Guide
Australian Standards for Car Park Line Marking: Your Complete AS 2890 Compliance Guide
Aug 20, 2025
So, you’re designing a new car park or overhauling an existing one? Nice job thinking about compliance out of the gate.
Having the right line marking in place from the outset is not just a box-ticking exercise – it’s about creating a safe, functional environment that simply works for everyone who will be using it. Let’s be real: car park design standards may not be the most exhilarating thing you’ll read about today.
But here’s the thing – if you’re getting AS 2890 compliance wrong, it can cost you a lot of money. We’re talking potential legal headaches, safety issues and the kind of costly rework no one wants to have to touch.
What Exactly Is AS 2890 Anyway?
The series of AS 2890 is the complete Australian standard on parking facilities. It’s like what governs how car parks in the country should be designed, marked, and laid out. It’s not one but actually many standards, all regarding varied aspects for parking facility design.
The main players you need to know about are:
AS 2890.1: General Off-Street Car Parking
This is the big one. It covers general off-street car parking requirements, and it’s the standard that most car park operators need to comply with. Everything from space dimensions to aisle widths falls under this umbrella. This one concerns provisions of parking facilities for the disabled. So, if you are a planner or modifier of a parking lot, you will have to get acquainted with this standard too.
AS 2890.6: Parking for People with Disabilities
This one’s specifically about parking facilities for people with disabilities. If you’re building or modifying a car park, you’ll definitely need to understand this standard too.
Here’s something interesting that many people don’t realise: AS 2890.1 hasn’t been properly updated since 2004. That’s right – nearly two decades! But don’t worry, there’s actually a revision in the works right now that addresses some pretty significant changes in how we drive.
Why Your Car Park Spaces Might Soon Get Bigger
In 2004, SUV’s made up just 13% of Australia’s vehicle fleet. Fast forward to today, and that number is closer to 40%. It’s a huge change, and it’s one that the current standards revision is finally taking on. If approved, the new rules would see minimum car parking space goes from 5.4 metres to 5.6 metres.
That’s not much, you might think, but those extra 20 centimetres could make all the difference when trying to jam a modern SUV into a parking spot geared for the dimensions of cars we were driving when Facebook was merely a university project. This is where you really benefit from working with well-seasoned line marking professionals.
At Delineation Line Marking, we keep abreast of these changes so you don’t have to. We understand what’s coming, and we can design your car park and ensure it’s future-proof in line with upcoming standard changes.
The Current Requirements That Matter Most
Right now, if you’re planning car park line marking in Perth or anywhere else in Australia, here’s what you need to know about AS 2890 compliance:
Standard Car Spaces
Your typical car parking space needs to be a minimum of 2.4 metres wide. The length requirement is currently 5.4 metres, though as we’ve mentioned, this is likely to increase soon. These dimensions aren’t just suggestions – they’re minimum requirements that need to be met for compliance.
Line Marking Specifications
This is where the technical details really matter. All parking space boundaries must be marked with unbroken lines that are between 80mm and 100mm wide. You can’t just grab any old paint and hope for the best either – the materials need to meet Australian Standards for durability and visibility.
Most car park line marking uses white lines for standard spaces, but there are specific colour requirements for different types of spaces that we’ll get into shortly.
Looking to make your car park safe, clear, and AS 2890 compliant? Check out our professional car park line marking services today.
Accessible Parking Requirements (AS 2890.6)
Now here’s where things start to get real detailed—and for good reason. There are distinct requirements for accessible parking spaces in AS 2890.6, and if you get these wrong it’s certainly a compliance issue, but more importantly, it’s an actual barrier for people who require accessible facilities.
Accessible parking spaces must be:
- 2.4m wide x 5.4m long (same as standard bays)
- Next to a communal area that is also 2.4 metres by 5.4 metres (outlined in yellow instead of white like regular spaces)
- Reinforced plain level: out of level 1:40 maximum.
The shared area—that is the yellow hatched region aside from the accessible spaces—is key. This area must remain unobstructed at all times for the wheelchair access and mobility equipment. A bollard 1.3m high must be erected in the shared space to keep other cars off the patch.
Another thing that catches a lot of people out: the height clearance requirements. You need at least 2.2 metres clearance from the car park entrance to all accessible spaces, and 2.5 metres above the spaces themselves and their adjacent shared areas.
Recent Changes You Should Know About
AS 2890.6 was, in fact, revised in 2022 even though such has not officially been referenced by the Building Code of Australia. Technically speaking, therefore, it does not become compulsory through the BCA but represents the current best practice standard that can be used for performance solutions.
A major update in the 2022 version has to do with where shared areas may be located. The earlier version was a bit vague about whether shared areas could be in traffic aisles; however, the current standard makes it clear that side shared areas cannot be located in aisles (though rear shared areas still can be).
It may look like a small technical detail, but it can greatly affect your car park layout and design. This is the kind of thing that is very simple to make a mistake on if you do not work with experts who keep up to date with these changes.
Common Compliance Mistakes We See
After years of working on car park line marking projects across Perth and throughout Western Australia, we’ve seen pretty much every mistake you can make. Here are the big ones that keep coming up:
Using the Wrong Colours
This one’s surprisingly common. People assume all line marking is white, but accessible parking spaces must use yellow lines. Using white lines for disabled spaces is a clear compliance failure.
Incorrect Dimensions
Sometimes we’ll see car parks where the spaces are too narrow, or where the shared areas for accessible spaces aren’t the right size. Remember, these aren’t guidelines – they’re minimum requirements.
Poor Line Quality
AS 2890 specifies that lines must be between 80mm and 100mm wide and unbroken. Faded, broken, or incorrectly sized lines don’t just look unprofessional – they’re non-compliant.
Missing or Incorrect Signage
Accessible spaces need proper International Symbol of Access signage in addition to line marking. The symbol must be blue with white markings, and it needs to be positioned correctly according to the standards.
Why Professional Line Marking Matters for Compliance
Here’s the reality: AS 2890 compliance isn’t something you want to leave to chance. The standards are detailed, they’re technical, and they’re constantly evolving. Getting it wrong can result in costly re-work, legal issues, and spaces that simply don’t function properly for the people who need to use them.
When Delineation Line Marking works on car park projects, we don’t just paint lines where someone tells us to.
A comprehensive approach includes:
- Reviewing the plans and checking dimensions against current standards
- Verifying the layout meets AS 2890 compliance requirements
- Making sure everything is compliant before you start any work
- Standing behind both the quality of work and compliance with Australian Standards is a great way to avoid any issues.
Our team undergoes rigorous training and verification of competency before they’re allowed to operate line marking equipment. This isn’t just about making straight lines (though that’s important too) – it’s about understanding the standards and applying them correctly in real-world situations.
Need to ensure your car park meets Australian Standards AS 2890? See how our car park line marking services deliver compliance and clarity.
Materials and Durability Considerations
AS 2890 recognises that not all materials for marking lines are equal. Within these standards it specifies that some pavement markings shall be non-slip, which eliminates consideration of certain types of application methods.
In the case of most car park applications, we use a high-build water-based traffic marking paint. This stuff sets fast usually within 5 to 15 minutes on a scorching day, and offers durability and visibility sufficient for compliance.
In certain cases, particularly with regard to traffic volume, exposure to weather extremes or the type of substrate used it might be that thermoplastic or cold-applied plastic materials are more appropriate.
The trick is to use materials and machinery that does meet or exceeds Australian Standards. You may save a little in using household paint, but if it fades and has to be applied more often than is right you’ll quickly end up paying quite dearly for those savings.
Future-Proofing Your Car Park Investment
With changes coming to AS 2890.1, now’s actually a good time to think about future-proofing your car park. If you’re planning new construction or major renovations, consider implementing the proposed 5.6-metre length requirement now, even though it’s not yet mandatory.
This approach can save you from having to re-mark or redesign your car park when the updated standard is finalised. It’s the kind of forward-thinking that prevents expensive retrofitting down the track.
Working with Local Regulations
It is a fact that does surprise some people from time to time, but yes, AS 2890 compliance is just considered the baseline. Above this, local councils and state authorities can have more requirements in their development control plans and town planning regulations. In Western Australia, our work also needs to meet Main Roads WA standards where applicable.
As members of the Road Marking Industry Association of Australia, we stay current with both Australian Standards and local requirements across all the areas we service – from Perth Metro to Mandurah, Rockingham, Bunbury, and Busselton.
Getting Your Car Park Right the First Time
The best time to think about AS 2890 compliance is during the planning phase, not after construction is complete. Early consultation with experienced line marking professionals can help identify potential issues before they become expensive problems.
Our approach at Delineation Line Marking is straightforward: we measure twice and cut once. We review your plans, discuss your specific requirements, and provide recommendations that will keep your car park compliant both now and into the future.
We provide firm quotes quickly and accurately, and every job comes with our workmanship guarantee. But more than that, we provide the peace of mind that comes from knowing your car park meets all relevant Australian Standards.
The Bottom Line
Car park line marking may seem easy, but to do it properly, AS 2890 compliance requires the detail, up-to-date knowledge of the standard, and experience in its correct application. More than most people would ever imagine – get it wrong and there are legal issues against you and safety issues. Not to mention re-work.
Be it a small business parking lot or some giant workspace, dealing with pros having a fair grip over Australian Standards is not just advice- it’s a rule. The cash you throw in for the right compliance setup comes back to you later by keeping hassles, wasted time, and lost bucks at bay.
Ready to talk about your car park line marking project? Contact us for a quote with no strings attached. We’ll guide you through what’s needed, show you the options, and provide line marking that meets Australian Standards as well as goes the distance.
Contact Delineation Line Marking today for expert car park line marking services that comply with AS 2890 and all relevant Australian Standards. Servicing Perth Metro, Mandurah, Rockingham, Bunbury, Busselton, and throughout Western Australia.