Street Activity Policy 2011
The City of Melbourne is proud of its reputation for supporting lively street culture and greatly values the diversity of entertainment that buskers provide in the public realm.
On Tuesday 12 April 2011, the Draft Street Activity Policy 2011 (‘Policy’) and supporting policy operating statements for activities such as busking were considered by the Council’s Future Melbourne Committee (‘FMC’). The FMC approved the Policy and policy operating statements with only some minor changes and resolved that the Policy will become effective from 1 July 2011.
Read the Street Activity Policy and minutes from the Future Melbourne Committee Meeting.
Read the Media Release.
What is busking?
A busker is considered to be an entertainer who is actively providing a performance in the public place in exchange for a donation.
Busking is defined as sounding or playing a musical instrument, singing, giving a recitation or performing, conjuring, juggling, puppetry, miming, dancing, entertaining or doing any of these things concurrently.
Busking also includes the activity of drawing any message, picture or representation on a pavement, paper or canvas surface.
Read more:
Download / view the Busking Fact Sheet
Busking Fact Sheet 2011 (PDF, 131kb) 
Busking Fact Sheet 2011 (text only, 26kb)
Download / view the Busking Guidelines 2011
Busking Guidelines 2011 (PDF, 311kb)
Busking Guidelines 2011 (text only, 160kb)
Busking permits
There are four categories of busking permit:
- General area
Applies to buskers who do not use any dangerous goods in their performance and may generally busk anywhere in the municipality except for the Bourke Street Mall, designated Circle Act sites and other restricted areas as specified.
- Bourke Street Mall
Applies to professional buskers who perform in the Bourke Street Mall.
- Pavement art
Applies to artists who are actively engaged in an artistic medium such as chalk art or painting.
- Circle act (with or without dangerous goods)
Applies to performers who have a structured performance that requires an audience to stop, watch and participate in a performance.
Safety, amenity and performance review
Attendance at a Safety, Amenity and Performance Review forms part of the busking permit application process.
Please bring your completed application form and identification with you to the Review.
Full permits will not be issued until an applicant has attended and passed a Safety, Amenity and Performance Review and paid any relevant fees.
Download / view the dates for 2012:
For General Area, Pavement Art and Circle Act without Dangerous Goods
2012 Safety, Amenity and Performance Reviews - Acts without Dangerous Goods (PDF, 68kb)
2012 Safety, Amenity and Performance Reviews - Acts without Dangerous Goods (text only, 23kb)
For Circle Acts with Dangerous Goods
2012 Safety, Amenity and Performance Reviews - Acts with Dangerous Goods (Pdf, 21kb)
2012 Safety, Amenity and Performance Reviews - Acts with Dangerous Goods (text only. 22kb)
For Bourke Street Mall acts
2012 Bourke Street Mall Safety & Amenity Reviews for New Applicants (pdf, 21kb)
2012 Bourke Street Mall Safety & Amenity Reviews for New Applicants (text only, 24kb)
Busking permit renewal
Fees
- An application fee of $20 per year will apply for all new permit applications.
- A reapplication fee of $10 per year will apply for all permit types.
- An application fee of $10 for short term permits for interstate/international applicants which are valid for three (3) months.
- An annual fee of $50 will apply for those artists wishing to sell CDs, DVDs or other original merchandise while they are busking.
Buskers under 16 years of age
Buskers who are under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian at the safety and amenity review and while busking. A parent or adult guardian must show photo ID and provide written consent at the time of application.
Busking database – list of performers
The City of Melbourne busking database is kept strictly private and confidential. If you are looking for a performer for a gig, festival or corporate function or have any other opportunities for buskers, please email through all relevant and specific details, including any forms to busking@melbourne.vic.gov.au.
School and student groups visiting the city
For more information please call (03) 9658 9658 or email requests to busking@melbourne.vic.gov.au.
More questions?
First, please read through the Busking Guidelines 2011. If you have further questions, please contact the City of Melbourne on (03) 9658 9658.