Skip to main content

                    Busking permits

                    Busker playing a traditional Chinese stringed instrument
                    Find out about the different types of busking permits available and the process for applying or renewing.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The City of Melbourne welcomes all varieties of buskers and street performers to perform on our streets. ​Musicians, singers, dancers, magicians, mimes, puppeteers, living statues, painters and chalk artists are all eligible. Apply now – we’d love to have you entertain city visitors.

                    On this page:

                    Busking permit update

                    We’re currently offering free busking permits to keep the city streets humming with local talent.

                    This offer expires 30 June 2023. The free permit waiver includes all permit types, selling fees, renewals and new applications.


                    How to apply for a permit

                    New applicants will need to apply online for a permit through City of Melbourne Services. New applicants and buskers who have not attended a safety and performance review in the past five years may be required to attend a virtual seminar, live audition or safety assessment depending on their performance type.​

                    Before you apply

                    Before you apply, you will need to:

                    Supporting information

                    When you apply, you will need to:

                    • Provide a digital example of your busking act (link to your online act profile, photos or video).
                    • Upload a video of yourself performing your act if you don’t provide a link to online examples of your act (accepted video file formats: .avi, .mp3, .mp4, with a maximum file size of 2 GB).
                    • Attend a virtual seminar, live audition or safety assessment if required, depending on your performance type.
                    • Obtain consent from a parent or legal guardian if you are under 16 (refer to the FAQs for more information).

                    Fees

                    ​General area, pavement art and circle act permits

                    New permits and reapplications (valid for 12 months from date of issue) are $30.60. ​​

                    Premium permits

                    • $71.30 for new permits and permit reapplications (valid for 12 months from date of issue)
                    • $50.90 for short-term permits for interstate or international applicants (valid for three months).
                    • Premium permit fee includes the general area fee.

                    Street entertainment permits

                    • $311 (valid for 12 months from date of issue). The selling component is included in this fee.

                    Selling fees

                    • An additional selling fee of $101.80 will apply if you want to sell CDs, DVDs or original artworks produced while busking.
                    • If you are busking as a member of a group and group members are selling the same CD or DVD, only one selling fee is applicable. All group members must have their own individual busking permit, but do not need to pay separate selling fees.

                    To start an application, you'll need to log in with your registered customer account. Find out more about how to register and log in.

                    Performers under the age of 16 must have parental or legal guardian consent to apply for a permit, and must have parental or legal guardian supervision at all times while performing. Please refer to the FAQs for further information.

                    Types of busking permits

                    • General area busking permits

                      If dangerous goods are not used in your act, then you can apply for a general area busking permit to perform in all locations except for premium busking sites, designated circle act sites and other restricted areas.
                    • Pavement art busking permits

                      If you are an artist working directly on the pavement with chalk or other approved material, or on paper or canvas (for example, by using an easel), you can apply for a pavement art busking permit.
                    • Circle act busking permits

                      If your performances or routines are structured, involve dangerous goods and require your audience to stop, watch and participate, you can apply for a circle act busking permit. Examples include elements of street theatre, puppetry, dance, comedy, fire manipulation, juggling and other circus skills.
                    • Premium busking permits

                      If you are a professional busker wanting to perform in designated locations, including Bourke Street Mall, you can apply for a premium busking permit.
                    • Street entertainment permits

                      This permit is for performances that aren’t eligible for other busking or street trading permits but are otherwise entertaining, engaging, create a sense of curiosity and interest, and include selling in the public place.

                    Information for all applicants

                    • Safety, amenity and performance reviews

                      City of Melbourne is responsible for safely and effectively managing activities in public places. Buskers must also take responsibility for their actions while performing in a public place. Assessment through a safety, amenity and performance review forms part of the permit application process.
                    • Busking permit FAQs

                      Find general information on busking permits including fees for different permit types, the length permits are valid for, application processing times, performance review criteria and requirements for buskers under 16 years.

                    Renewing a permit

                    Skip Video
                    Busking induction video
                    Find out about the rules for busking safely and successfully in the City of Melbourne.
                      Was this page helpful?

                      If you'd like to give more feedback or ask a question, please contact us.