Handbill permits allow businesses to distribute promotional printed materials such as leaflets and magazines on footpaths outside their own place of business, another business (with written authorisation) or specified railway station exits.
See the map of railway station exit locations (PDF 991 KB).
Businesses may receive an infringement notice if they distribute material without a valid permit, or outside their approved permit location.
Railway stations
Businesses with a valid permit may distribute handbills out the front of a railway station in either a morning or afternoon session.
The session times are:
- 7am to 11.59am every day
- 12pm to 7pm Saturday to Wednesday
- 12pm to 9pm Thursday to Friday.
If a railway station exit does not appear in your list of locations, it is likely another business has a permit at that location for the date you have selected.
Handbills permits for my own place of business
Businesses can include their own address in the ‘Handbill Locations’ field when registering on Permits OnlineOpens in new tab.
The Permits team will assess the registration and, if approved, the address will appear in the business’ list of locations when applying for a permit. If the address has been approved in your registration and it still does not appear in your list of locations, it is likely another business has a permit at that location for the date you have selected.
Permit conditions and fees
- Each permit allows for up to two people to distribute handbills (leaflets, brochures, placards, notices, books, pamphlets, newspapers, magazines or any other printed material) in a nominated location.
- From 1 July 2024, the permit fee is $105 per location, per day, when distributing handbills on footpaths outside your own place of business, or another place of business, with written authorisation.
- The permit fee is $105 per session to distribute handbills on footpaths outside designated railway stations. Sessions are in mornings or afternoons.
- 'Do not litter' must be printed on the handbill in at least size 10 font.
Apply for handbill permit
Register with City of Melbourne via Permits Online and complete the steps.
Once we approve your registration, you can log in and apply for handbill permits at any of the approved locations. You’ll receive a permit immediately by email and we’ll store a copy of it on your registration.
If you experience any technical difficulties with your permit application, please contact the Permits team on 03 9658 9658.
What documents will I need?
In order to register for handbill permits with the City of Melbourne, your business will need:
- A certificate of currency for public liability insurance for a value of at least $20 million. Public liability insurance must be maintained for the life of the permit. To keep your insurance up to date, upload a new certificate of currency to your registration. Find out more about our public liability insurance requirements.
- Written authorisation (on company letterhead) from any business you wish to distribute handbills from out the front of their premises.
We recommend you register at least 10 days in advance. Some locations such as railway stations are very popular and may be booked up to three months in advance.
