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                    Spruiking

                    A spruiker outside a business
                    Spruiking permits allow retail businesses within the municipality to verbally promote their goods and services on a street or in a public space.

                    ​​​​Touting is not permitted

                    Spruiking differs from touting, which is more aggressive in nature. Touting is not permitted anywhere within the municipality.

                    Spruiking is using a human voice directly in front of a retail premises to generally promote goods or services to passing pedestrians on a street or in a public place.

                    Touting involves enticing or propositioning individuals to enter a premises and buy goods and is more aggressive in nature.

                    Spruiking permits

                    As a business wanting to employ a spruiker outside your premises, the business premises must either hold a spruiking permit, or only employ spruikers who hold a permit.

                    You can apply online for a spruiking permit.

                    Eligibility

                    You can apply for a permit as:

                    • a retail business, allowing you to employ people to spruik outside your business premises
                    • an individual, allowing you to spruik outside any retail business in the municipality.

                    Before you apply

                    Permit holders are responsible for ensuring spruiking:

                    • only occurs directly in front of a retail business, not at an outdoor cafe or in front of a restaurant
                    • is limited to between 8am and 7pm on weekdays, and 9am and 7pm on weekends
                    • noise is not intrusive and no sound generating devices are used
                    • is not amplified in any form, unless specifically approved in the permit
                    • does not involve any sales occurring in public space.

                    Review the spruiking permit conditions:

                    Supporting documents

                    If you have exceptional circumstances and are requesting permission for your spruiking activity to be amplified, you will need to upload a document that addresses the following:

                    • whether the spruiking is permanent or temporary (for example, a one-off promotional event)
                    • what type of amplification is being proposed (for example, does it involve a constant and/or loud spruiking that may cause complaints)
                    • what will be done to mitigate complaints
                    • whether amplified spruiking at the proposed site has achieved an iconic status (for example, at the Myer windows) or
                    • whether other positive or distinctive features are to be created by the spruiker.

                    Fees

                    The permit fee is $500.

                    No application fee applies.

                    Permits are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.



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

                    More information

                    Penalties for spruiking without a permit

                    Penalties apply under our Activities Local Law 2019 for spruiking without a permit or in breach of the permit conditions.

                    Penalties may include:

                    • suspension or cancellation of the permit
                    • temporary or permanent refusal of future permits
                    • an infringement notice with a fine of 5 penalty units.

                    If a person is found spruiking with an amplifier without approval, the spruiker and the owner or manager of the business will be issued a notice to comply with the local law and must stop immediately. Failure to comply will lead to further enforcement action.

                    Spruiking Practice Guide 2011

                    Spruikers must abide by the permit conditions and the Spruiking Practice Guide 2011 which addresses issues such as the behaviour of the spruiker, interaction with the public and general conditions under which spruikers may operate.

                    It also outlines some simple guidelines to ensure that the City of Melbourne can best manage its city streets in the interests of all. Spruikers who don't comply with the practice guide could be considered in breach of our Activities Local Law.

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