Attended Service NSW to renew my autistic child’s disability parking permit, but her application was refused. Was informed that new policy regulations state that all applicants with mental disabilities, behavioural problems and autism will no longer be issued with permits. Will only accept applications which state person has a physical disabilitiy ie unable to walk. Seeking feedback, has this been an issue for others attempting to renew?

I'm surprised that she had a permit in the first place. Surely it always applied to physical problems. Autism doesn't stop people from being able to walk.

I believe that the rules are different state
by state and therefore they probably may vary.
However ask to see someone in charge and don't
be put off by any rude person. If your child is
in danger because their behaviour is unpredictable
you definitely are entitled to a disabled parking
permit.

All The Best.

I disagree completely Foxy.

I have a disabled parking permit as I can not walk more than 50 yards with my knees. Even if I can get one of the 4 bays at our large supermarket, I still need to find an abandoned trolley to lean on, to make it from the front door of the complex to the supermarket. I also need the wide bay to be able to open the door wide enough to get out of, or into the car, with knees that won't bend.

I often have to wait 15 minutes or more for a disabled bay to become available, only to find someone else has been waiting patiently even longer.

These are for people unable to exit their car in a narrow bay, or who can not walk any distance. They should not be available for any other reason.

Perhaps the recently emerging mother & stroller bays could be offered to mothers of autistic kids, but disabled bays are not simply for convenience, but to fulfil a real need.

I agree, as much as it is not charitable to reject someone, for any reason, I find that emotion aside, it has to be enforced.
I too have an ACROD permit, and I am fortunate that amongst my 'toys', I have kitted myself out with one of those Toyota Commuter mini bus, ex taxi people movers with the rear electric/hydraulic lift.
Which houses my two gophers.
I have designed my life and lifestyle around convenience, and so I am lucky to afford myself choices.
In doing so, if need be I can choose which means of transport best suites on the day.
If I use the van I can park anywhere.
If instead I feel the need for one of my other 'toys'/cars, I would need the ACROD.
I have lower back, hips, knee and ankle problems.
I also can't walk more than about 50metres without burning and excruciating pain from all these joints at the same time.
I already have a mechanical aortic valve, and that was an epic.
I don't want to undergo any more surgery if I don't have to, so I bear the pain if I misjudge a trip out, and realise too late I went past my pain PNR.
That's my punishment for not assessing the situation better before I set off.
Still, I'm thankful for the gophers, if nothing else it allows the ACROD bays to be available for someone more deserving or in need than myself.
I must say, if I get caught out at a shopping centre, I use the shopping trolley to help with the pains, by leaning or resting on them as if a 'walking frame'.
It does relieve the pains a little, depending on the design of the trolley and how much weight or force I can put on the trolley.
As to the author of this post, I understand the terms of reference for ACROD permits, and I'm sorry but I can see, whether by semantics or design, your child does not qualify for an ACROD.
However, I do believe she qualifies for the child parking bays.

Thanks for the thread and please forgive the few rude folk, first in NSW at least far too many ignore those spots and use the when they should not
many who do have mobility issues will not get such a card because your fitness to drive comes under investigation.
If some thing can be miss used you can bank on governments doing it
if the impairment includes difficulty's in walking because of fear or failure to understand you would think they should have given you the card.