La Trobe Student Union is pleased to share their Priced Out: The cost of parking at La Trobe University Report, published May 2026.
La Trobe Student Union (LTSU) has today released a new report revealing that parking costs at La Trobe University’s Melbourne Bundoora campus are placing serious financial pressure on students and limiting access to education.
Based on a survey of 547 students, the report, Priced Out: The Cost of Parking at La Trobe, found:
- 66% of students spend more than $20 per week getting to university
- 91% would attend campus more often if parking was cheaper or free
- 80% of students drive because they have few practical transport alternatives
- 69% rely on expensive casual daily parking rather than permits
- 61% face travel times of more than 30 minutes each way
The report also found that students are skipping classes, arriving late, parking in unsafe areas, and taking financial risks simply to attend university.
Students living on campus are particularly affected:
- 86% of on-campus students who own a car still pay for parking despite already paying accommodation fees
- 39% only learned about parking costs informally, often after moving in
The Student Union is calling on La Trobe University to:
- Introduce free or significantly reduced parking for students
- Introduce at least one free parking day each week
- End additional parking charges for students living on campus
- Improve parking safety and transport access
- Increase transparency around parking revenue and pricing
The report also notes that La Trobe University has generated more than $13.7 million in parking revenue over the past six years.