Last week the state government launched the Park'nPay app, which allowed motorists to pay for parking - and top up the meter remotely so as to avoid being hit with a fine.

"This app is a game changer for drivers, eliminating the need to search for loose coins and walking to the nearest meter to pay for parking," Customer Service minister Victor Dominello said.

The government said it was working with local councils to get them to sign up to the app.

If the app is a "game changer", then Wollongong City Council got in four years ahead of the state government.

"Council introduced an app, CellOPark, to allow drivers to pay for parking in April 2015," a council spokesman said.

"Since that time drivers have been able to pay for their parking in Wollongong's CBD by using the app."

The spokesman said the app also allowed drivers to keep track of how long they had been in a parking space.

"It also allows drivers to check their meter in real time and move their car when required," the spokesman said.

Council was reviewing the CelloPark app, as part of a standard contractual obligation.

While the app works with the city's parking meters, they also continue to accept coins or credit cards.

A number of councils across the country are also using the CellOPark parking meter app.