Aussies standing in a parking space to save it for someone else could be fined for the 'dodgy move', a transport authority has warned.

The practice is commonly seen in busy shopping centre and beach car parks, where a person stands in an empty bay while waiting for another driver to arrive. 

Transport for NSW said pedestrians can be fined for occupying a parking space to reserve it for a friend if they are obstructing others from parking or creating a traffic hazard.

Rule 236 of the NSW Road Rules bans pedestrians from engaging in two types of conduct.

The first is to 'cause a traffic hazard by moving into the path of a driver'.

It also states that 'a pedestrian must not unreasonably obstruct the path of any driver or another pedestrian'. 

Both offences carry a $94 fine in NSW. 

The agency considers the parking tactic 'unsafe' and 'really annoying' for other drivers.

'Pedestrians must not cause a traffic hazard by moving into the path of a driver,' Transport for NSW said on social media. 

'Not only is it a dodgy move, but it could also see you getting a fine for doing so.'

Similar restrictions apply in other jurisdictions, although the rules and penalties vary across Australia. 

In Victoria, pedestrians breaching the rule face a maximum penalty of $209, while it is only $100 in Western Australia.

Queensland imposes a $69 fine, while the penalty in South Australia is $63.

Elsewhere, the penalty is $53.25 and $218 in Tasmania and the ACT respectively. 

Several Aussies on social media agreed with the rule.

'First come, first served. Parking spot is not a plane ticket with booked seats in advance,' one said. 

'This post needs to be shared forever to get the message through to all those fools that think they can,' another said. 

Others wanted to know what could be done if they wanted to park in a spot that was blocked by a pedestrian. 

'If we see the people reserve the spot and they didn't listen, what we can do?' one asked.