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.
Under 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, reciting or performing any conjuring, juggling, puppetry, mime, dance or other entertainment. Busking can also include 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.
The below activities are not considered busking and or not eligible for 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, photography, balloon sculptures, 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
- 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
- Portraiture and caricature
- Bubble blowing
- Balloon twisting
- Calligraphy
- Spray painting records
- Demonstrations or lessons
- Poetry or story writing
There are four categories of busking permits:
All busking permit types are issued for a 12-month period, or three-month period for interstate or overseas visitors.
Permits are issued to individuals only – not duos, trios or groups.
For all
general area, pavement art and
circle act permits:
New permits and reapplications (valid for 12 months from date of issue) are $30.60
For premium permits, fees are:
- $71.30 for new permits and permit reapplications (valid for 12 months)
- $50.90 for short-term permits for interstate or international applicants (valid for three months).
- Premium permit fee includes the general area fee.
For
street entertainment permits:
The fee for all street entertainment permits (valid for 12 months) is $311. The selling component is included in this fee.
Selling fees:
- An additional selling fee of $101.80 will apply for those wishing 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.
For general area, circle act and street entertainment permits:
Safety
- Attention to general safety – set up, personal safety, audience safety.
- What infrastructure and equipment will be used in the public space?
- Are cords, leads or wires safely secured?
- Understanding of potential risk of injury to audience or performer.
- Understanding of pedestrian access management.
- Understanding of sound in relation to safety (if applicable).
- Does the performer retain complete control of every aspect of their performance and is safety a concern?
Amenity
- Suitability of the act for the public place.
- Suitability of the act in relation to proposed performance sites (taking into account other city users and stakeholders).
- Suitability of the proposed infrastructure and equipment.
- Presentation and neatness of set-up.
- Understanding of sound management in relation to amenity (if applicable)
- Amplification within prescribed levels and times – compliance with performance times
- A wide enough repertoire to avoid excessive repetition of material
- How would you monitor your sound so that you stay within the prescribed levels?
- Appropriateness of merchandise (if applicable).
- Interaction with public.
- Pavement artists – suitability of materials for use in a public place.
Performance
- Evidence of an act and repertoire – is it busking? Is it entertaining, engaging and creates a sense of curiosity and interest?
- Performance does not involve unacceptable activities:
- advertising or canvassing
- political or religious issues or rallying
- Suitability of the act for the public place, performance does not involve:
- profane, obscene, indecent, insulting, discriminatory or threatening language or material
- sexually explicit language or simulation of sexual acts.
- Circle acts – is the performance suitable for a circle act permit?
- Pavement art – suitability of size of the proposed medium for spectators to engage with performance. Minimum A4 size.
Additional criteria for circle acts:
- Circle act performers who use flammable materials or modified knives, whips, swords or similar implements must hold an appropriately endorsed public liability insurance policy in order to be eligible for a circle act permit.
- Approval is subject to the endorsement of a peer assessor to ensure applicants have the requisite skills and experience to safely manage any dangerous goods used and demonstrate their understanding of safety for the public and themselves while using them.
- The performance space to be used must be clearly defined. Further instruction and advice will be given by peer assessors at the safety and amenity review.
- Public property must not be damaged during the course of the performance.
For performances that incorporate the use of fire:
- A serviceable fire blanket or appropriate serviceable fire extinguisher must be present on site, visible and readily accessible for the duration of the performance (including time used for setting up and packing down). The fire blanket and / or fire extinguisher must meet the appropriate Australian standards.
- All fuels to be used in the busking performance must be taken to the safety and amenity review.
- All containers must be conspicuously marked with 'HIGHLY FLAMMABLE', in capital letters on both sides of the container.
- The dripping of any flammable liquid on the ground should be avoided at all costs. Buskers are responsible for ensuring any drip stains are cleaned up immediately.
- Regular maintenance of all fire equipment including wicks and screws. Checks must be carried out prior to any public performance.
- All flammable fuels must be transported in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods 2013 (i.e. with appropriate portable plastic or metal containers).
For premium busking permits:
In addition to the Level 1 criteria, the following criteria will apply to premium busking permits.
Performance
- Evidence of ability to entertain and engage an audience.
- Polished performance.
- Evidence of a highly developed repertoire, for example:
- Does the performer know a wide variety of music and songs?
- Does the performer know a wide range of tricks?
Proficiency – skill and experience
- The performance is engaging and the buskers is able to draw an audience.
- The performer is highly skilled in their art form.
- The performer retains complete control of every aspect of their performance.
- Safety is never a concern.
Uniqueness – unusual, special, one-of-a-kind
- The performer possesses a unique quality, subtle or dramatic, that gives them an interesting edge.
- The performer has an original repertoire that makes them unlike other performers.
Professionalism – effectiveness, skill, organisation and seriousness of manner
- The performer’s equipment is in good working order.
- Sound levels are within acceptable levels.
- The performer is punctual and prepared.
- The performer believes in communication and cooperation.
- The performer sets a high standard.
The City of Melbourne reserves the right to impose conditions on approvals for busking permits for persons under the age of 16.
Performers under 16 must have parental or legal guardian consent to apply for a permit, and must be supervised by a parent or legal guardian at all times while performing.
Please complete the parental consent section of the online application process where required.
If you want to add selling approval to your current permit, complete the relevant sections of the online application form when you apply, or visit the front desk of the Town Hall with your permit to make the request.
It is possible to add the selling component to your busking permit at any stage.
General area and street entertainment permit holders are permitted to perform for a maximum of two hours per day at each location. Once two hours is reached, the busker must move to another busking location (at least 50 metres away) and not return to the same location location again that day. This is to encourage variety and ensure that everyone is given a fair opportunity at each pitch.
Note:
- Pavement artists may remain in the same location for a four-hour period and then must move to another location at least 50 metres away.
- Chalk artists or artists who work on large canvases are permitted to remain in one location for up to eight hours.
Circle act performances must not exceed 60 minutes in duration. Time on the pitch should also include pack up and cleaning of the site.