What is busking?
In the context of the City of Melbourne’s
Street Activity Policy 2011, a busker is considered to be an entertainer who is actively providing a public performance in the public space in exchange for a donation.
Busking is the sounding or playing of a musical instrument, singing, giving a recitation or performing any conjuring, juggling, puppetry, mime, dance or other entertainment or doing any of those things concurrently. Busking also includes pavement art such as chalk art, drawing and painting.
Types of busking performances may include:
- performing with an instrument or multiple instruments, conventional or self-constructed
- performing a song, dance routine, mime act, clowning, juggling, puppetry, comedy, magic or living statue act
- painting landscapes and chalk art
- performing a circle act.
The City of Melbourne may also identify unique and special activities that meet the busking principles.
What is not considered busking?
Any activity or demonstration involving the sale or exchange of merchandise, products and services is not busking.
The below activities are not considered busking, so will not be issued busking permits; however, they may be eligible for other permit types:
- vendors of any kind including but not limited to: glow sticks, flowers, jewellery, wire twisting, calligraphy, portraiture and caricature, printed poetry or stories, photography, balloon twisting, origami, games of chance, cosplay and soliciting donations for photos while dressed in character costumes, and other merchandise sellers
-
fundraising,
events,
promotions, surveys or advertising, even if they involve any element of performance (see
further details below)
-
touting or spruiking including religious spruiking or street preaching
- political rallying
- tarot card reading, palmistry and fortune telling
- massage, chiropractic treatment or any other physical manipulation
- face or body painting including henna and temporary tattoo applications
- artists selling pre-fabricated work (pavement artists must be actively engaged in producing work and not simply selling displayed goods)
- animal acts or where animals are involved in any part of the performance
- begging
- bubble blowing
- spray painting records
- demonstrations or lessons.
Fundraising, events, promotions, surveys and advertising
Busking permits will not be issued to individuals, clubs or companies wanting to promote their business or activities or fundraise on behalf of another individual, organisation or entity even if they are engaging in a public performance to do so.
Performers hired by a private organisation as part of an event, market or festival do not require a busking permit. However, event organisers must ensure that the relevant permits for the specific event have been obtained.