Skip to main content

                    Footpath street trading

                    People at a temporary market stall
                    Footpath street trading is any seasonal or temporary selling of goods or services in a public place. Temporary infrastructure used to display goods must be removed at the end of trade each day.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​An application for a permit is required before any public street trading can be conducted. Permit holders are required to provide their own infrastructure and equipment. 

                    The duration of permits issued range from one day for temporary street trading through to three months for seasonal street trading to enable a variety of street activities throughout the year. 

                    On this page:

                    Seasonal street trading permits 

                    This permit approves street trade in public space solely within the City of Melbourne.  

                    We’ll issue a permit for a minimum of three months. It can be extended in three periods up to a maximum of 12 months.  

                    If your preferred trading period is not available, we’ll propose alternative dates depending on availability. 

                    You’ll need to include the days and hours you propose to trade on a regular weekly basis. 

                    Before you apply

                    As a permit holder, your key requirements are to:  

                    • Keep the street trading area and surrounding footpath in a clean and tidy state during all times of operation. 
                    • Use only the approved trading area attached to this permit. 
                    • Trade only within the permitted hours of operation.  

                    This summary is subject to any requirements or conditions set out during the application process and subject to the full conditions set out in the permit. We encourage you to take a few moments to read the full conditions, as these will impact the conduct of your activities and help you avoid a fine, delays or cancellation of the permit. 

                    Read the full conditions:

                    Before submitting an application, you’ll need to read and understand the fact sheet and the selection criteria:

                    Supporting documents

                    You’ll need to provide documents in support of your application, including the below. 

                    Business proposal 

                    Your business proposal should include a marketing strategy and business plan. 

                    Marketing strategy:

                    • How do you plan to promote and advertise the business?  
                    • Have you created a branding and collateral for the business that adds to the look and feel of the products you sell?  
                    • Provide links to websites, social media pages or other directories used to promote your business. 
                    • Provide images or designs as an attachment. 

                    Business plan:  

                    • Detail how you plan to operate the business, including staffing numbers, work systems, OH&S requirements and operating procedures.  
                    • Outline how you plan to stock and replenish goods to be sold, how you intend to store them outside of trading hours, and how to manage payments.  
                    • Provide information on branding or signage you are planning to have on site. 

                    Products / services 

                    You’ll need to clearly explain your products / services and provide us with:  

                    • any advertising of your goods 
                    • a full list of the products / services you intend to sell, including pricing for each item 
                    • photos of the products / services.  

                    You must be able to demonstrate the products and services you are selling are high quality, unique and distinctive. Applications which include items that are handmade and sustainable (non-disposable items) will be considered more favourably. 

                    Proposed locations 

                    You’ll need to: 

                    We don’t issue permits in these locations:  

                    • Bourke Street Mall between Swanston Street and Elizabeth Street 
                    • Swanston Street between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane both east and west sides 
                    • Directly in front of the Melbourne Town Hall on the eastern side of Swanston Street, between Collins Street and Little Collins Street 
                    • The promenade at the Crown Entertainment Complex between Spencer Street and Queensbridge Street 
                    • Privately managed locations including Queen Victoria Market and Federation Square (privately managed locations must be contacted directly) 
                    • Narrow streets and footpaths with inadequate pedestrian capacity and against the building line 
                    • Directly in front of entrances or steps at train stations 
                    • In any location that prevents easy access to and from trams at designated tram stops. 

                    Applicants must also include a site plan and at least one photo of the area they intend to occupy. 

                    Infrastructure and equipment 

                    You’ll need to include the details of all infrastructure and equipment you intend to use including photos, detailed drawings and measurements. Examples of infrastructure include: 

                    • displays for goods including shelving 
                    • tables and decorations 
                    • stools or chairs.  

                    Your infrastructure should be of a high quality, attractive design, and have an engaging street presence. Provide photos or detailed drawings of your equipment and show how you will set up and display your products or service. 

                    Any infrastructure approved under the permit must be fully removed from site outside of the permitted times of operation. Failure to do so may mean items are confiscated and disposed of by council’s contractors. 

                    Food Act requirements 

                    You must comply with the Food Act 1984 if you are selling food and drink. 

                    For further information regarding food legislation, contact the Health and Wellbeing Branch on 03 9658 8858 or email health@melbourne.vic.gov.au before submitting an application. 

                    Public liability insurance 

                    If your application is successful, you’ll need to provide a copy of your public liability insurance certificate, with a minimum of $20 million coverage. Read more about our public liability insurance requirements

                    Fees

                    ​Seasonal street trading permit fees are $330 per month.

                    Fees are payable upfront for a three-month duration.​

                    Amend, extend or cancel a seasonal street trading permit

                    Permits issued after 4 December 2022  

                    To amend, extend or cancel your permit, log in to City of Melbourne Services and navigate to the My Permits page. 

                    You can apply for a refund as part of the cancellation process.  

                    Permits issued before 4 December 2022 

                    If your current permit was issued before 4 December 2022, you’ll need to contact our Street Trading team first as there is a separate procedure to make changes to your permit.   

                    How to apply 

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

                    You’ll need to attach supporting documents as part of your application.

                    You must submit your application least 30 days before your intended commencement date.  Permit processing times can vary.

                    Temporary street trading permits

                    Temporary street trading permits are issued for one day at a time on the Bourke Street pedestrian footbridge, to support events taking place at Marvel Stadium. You’ll need to provide a letter of support from Marvel Stadium or the event promoter operating the event at Marvel Stadium.

                    Fees

                    ​Fees for temporary street trading permits are $330 per day with payment requests issued prior to the day of trade. 

                    Permit fees must be paid before the permit is issued.


                    Locations

                    ​We only consider applications for the Bourke Street pedestrian footbridge to support events taking place inside Marvel Stadium. 

                    Application requirements

                    You’ll need to provide all necessary information and supporting documentation when submitting your application. 

                    Applicant details 

                    Your application must contain the following: 

                    • business name 
                    • contact name (both first name and surname) 
                    • postal address 
                    • email address 
                    • phone number (mobile number preferred) 

                    Proposal details 

                    You’ll need to provide details of the corresponding event the temporary street trading permit is related to, including: 

                    • name of the event being held at Marvel Stadium 
                    • name of the event organiser 
                    • event date 
                    • hours of operation of the temporary street trading permit, noting that no selling is permitted to occur at the conclusion of the event 
                    • types of goods to be sold 
                    • list of any infrastructure to be installed 
                    • site plan showing the proposed site and any infrastructure 
                    • letter of approval from Marvel Stadium
                    • a copy of your current public liability insurance with coverage of $20 Million. Read more about our public liability insurance requirements

                    Application form

                    Seasonal street trading letter of consent
                    Temporary street trading permit application form

                    ​​Contact us

                    Need more help? Ask us a question.

                    ​For footpath street trading-related questions, use 'Footpath street trading' as the subject.​

                    Live chat embed code file
                      Was this page helpful?

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