When is a permit required?
A permit is required to hold a promotion or sampling activation in one of the city’s public places. Your activation must adhere to the following criteria to receive a permit:
- Products must be sample sized (products that are available for retail sale are not sample sized). Food and drink samples must be no more than a mouthful per person.
- Selling of products is prohibited.
- All products must have 'Do not litter' or similar printed on them.
- Products in glass are not permitted.
- Promotion activations must encourage unique interaction by incorporating elements that seek to highlight the brand or product in an engaging way.
- When sampling food or drink, a temporary and mobile food premises registration will also need to be supplied to Health Services.
- Promotions must remain within the promotion site. Roaming is not permitted.
- Promotional activities cannot run for more than 7 consecutive days.
- A not-for-profit or community organisation may apply to promote within any of City of Melbourne’s designated promotional sites for a maximum of 40 days per calendar year.
- Handbill distribution is not a promotional or sampling activity. Refer to Handbill permits for guidelines and to apply for a permit.
- Other guidelines and permits may apply depending on your application.
Terms and conditions
Please read the terms and conditions before applying. Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.
Locations
Choose a location from our list of allocated sites. Roaming promotions are not permitted.
Our Pedestrian Counting SystemOpens in new tab can help you see how many people pass by each site daily.
The following sites are suitable for promotion and sampling activations:
- Bourke Street Mall
- Queensbridge Square
- Southbank Spillway
- 72-82 Errol Street, North Melbourne (outside the North Melbourne Post Office)
- NAB Forecourt, Docklands
- Southern Cross Station walkway
- Evan Walker Bridge (Southbank Pedestrian Bridge) – near Flinders Walk
- Outside Flinders Street Station (sampling only)
- Outside Melbourne Central Station – Swanston Street (sampling only)
- Outside Melbourne Central Station – Elizabeth Street (sampling only)
- Outside Parliament Station (sampling only)
- Piazza Italia (Carlton)
- New Quay Promenade East (near Aquitania Way and Condor Apartments)
- New Quay Promenade West (in front of the piazza)
- Yarra’s Edge (end of Webb Bridge Docklands)
- Yanonung Quay (adjacent to Wharf 8)
- Harbour Esplanade North (adjacent to Wharf 15)
- Outside own business.
Apply for permit
You must submit your permit application at least 10 full business days before the activation.
Submission of an application form does not guarantee site availability and does not constitute approval. You can contact us via email at promotions@melbourne.vic.gov.au or phone 03 9658 9658 to check availability.
Apply for a promotions permit
Permit information and resources
Permit fees apply at all locations, including those outside a business. All permit applications incur a $66 application fee, plus a fee for the duration of use.
- Up to 2 hours per site, per day: $1335
- Up to 4 hours per site, per day: $2006
- Over 4 hours per site, per day: $2682
Fees are GST free and effective from 1 July 2024.
Additional fees may apply during the permitting process.
Community or not-for-profit registered groups may be eligible for a full fee waiver.
Your promotion permit application will be reviewed and assessed by the City of Melbourne Event Operations team. If your application is accepted, you will be sent a requirements email which includes an invoice for the application and site fees. Payment must be made promptly as your permit will not be issued unless full payment has been received.
Payments can be made by credit card, online or over the phone. To pay your invoice, you will need to provide the reference number located on the permit invoice.
One of our officers will reach out to you via email to confirm next steps in 2 to 3 business days.
Contact Event Operations team
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