PayStay

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PayStay is an Australian cashless parking payment service and mobile app used to pay for on-street and off-street parking operated by participating councils and parking providers.

Melbourne, VIC, Australia
paystay.com.au
Owned by Database Consultants Australia (DCA)

About PayStay

PayStay is an Australian cashless parking payment service used by many local councils and parking operators across the country, particularly for on‑street and council‑managed off‑street parking. Through the PayStay mobile app (iOS and Android) and other supported channels, drivers can start, stop, and extend parking sessions without using coins or pay‑and‑display machines. The service is typically linked to your vehicle’s registration plate and a stored payment method such as a debit or credit card, and it is commonly branded on parking meters, street signage, and council parking information as the official "pay by phone" option.

A PayStay charge usually appears on your bank or card statement when you have paid for parking using the PayStay app or account in an area where PayStay is the contracted parking provider. You might see multiple smaller charges if you parked several times in a day, if you have more than one vehicle registered, or if your session was automatically extended. In some cases, a small temporary authorisation hold may appear when you first add or update a card, or when PayStay verifies your payment method; this hold should drop off automatically after a few days. There are no ongoing subscription fees, but you are charged per parking session based on the tariff set by the local council or parking operator, and there may be small convenience or SMS reminder fees depending on your settings.

If you don’t recognise a PayStay charge, start by checking your recent parking activity in the PayStay app or via your online account, where you can see session times, locations, amounts, and receipts. Confirm whether anyone else (e.g. a family member) uses your PayStay account or card to pay for parking. For unresolved questions, use the Help/Support section in the app or the contact form on paystay.com.au to reach customer support, providing the exact date, amount, and last four digits of your card so they can trace the transaction. If you believe the charge is incorrect, you can request a review or refund through PayStay or the relevant council; for suspected fraud on your card, contact your bank immediately in addition to PayStay support.

Bank Statement Variations

3 known variations

These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to PayStay.

  1. PAYSTAY MELBOURNE AUS
  2. PAYSTAY SOUTH WHARF AUS
  3. Paystay South Wharf AU

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was I charged by PayStay when I only parked briefly?

PayStay charges are based on the parking tariffs and minimum time units set by the local council or parking operator, not by PayStay itself. Even if you only parked for a short period, you may be billed for the minimum increment (for example, 30 or 60 minutes) plus any applicable service fees. You can see the exact start/stop times, tariff, and total cost for each session in the Activity or History section of the PayStay app.

Why do I see multiple small PayStay charges on the same day?

Each parking session you start through PayStay is processed as a separate transaction, so several park‑and‑go stops in one day will appear as multiple charges. You may also see more than one charge if you manage multiple vehicles under the same account or if you started a new session after the previous one expired. Check the session history in your app to match each transaction to a specific location and time.

Does PayStay charge any monthly or subscription fees?

No, PayStay does not operate on a subscription model; you only pay when you use the service for parking. The total amount you see on your statement reflects the parking fee set by the council or operator, plus any applicable PayStay service or SMS reminder charges. There are no ongoing membership or account maintenance fees for standard users.

How can I cancel or stop future PayStay charges?

Because PayStay is pay‑per‑use, there is no subscription to cancel—charges only occur when you actively start a parking session. To avoid further charges, simply stop using PayStay for parking and ensure any active sessions are ended in the app. If you want to fully close your account or remove your stored card, go to the account or profile settings in the app or contact PayStay via their support page at paystay.com.au for assistance.

How do I request a refund for a PayStay parking charge I think is incorrect?

First, review the detailed session information in your PayStay app to confirm the location, start/stop times, and vehicle registration are correct. If you still believe you were overcharged or charged in error, contact PayStay support through the in‑app Help section or via the website, providing screenshots or details of the transaction. In some councils, disputes and infringement‑related refunds may be handled directly by the council’s parking department, so PayStay support may direct you to lodge a formal request with the relevant authority.

Why do I see a small $0–$2 PayStay authorisation or pending charge?

When you first add or update a payment card, PayStay (through its payment processor) may place a small temporary authorisation to verify that the card is valid. This is not an actual charge and should automatically drop off or change to $0 once your bank releases the hold, typically within a few business days. If the authorisation doesn’t disappear after that time, contact your bank and then PayStay support with the transaction details.

How can I view receipts or transaction history for my PayStay charges?

Open the PayStay app and go to the Activity, History, or Transactions section to see a list of all your parking sessions, including dates, times, locations, and amounts. Many users can tap into a specific session to view or email a detailed receipt for expense claims or tax purposes. If you need a summary report for a longer period, log in to your online account via paystay.com.au or request a statement from support.

What should I do if I don’t recognise a PayStay charge and I don’t use the app?

First, check whether anyone else with access to your card (such as a family member or employee) uses PayStay to pay for parking. If no one recognises the transaction, contact PayStay via the support options listed on paystay.com.au and provide the date, exact amount, and the last four digits of your card so they can investigate. If PayStay confirms that the charge does not match your details or appears fraudulent, immediately contact your bank or card issuer to block your card and dispute the transaction.

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