Footpath street trading

As a permit holder, your key requirements are to:  

• keep the street trading area and surrounding footpath in a clean and tidy state during all times of operation
• use only the approved trading area attached to this permit
• trade only within the permitted hours of operation.  

Read the seasonal street trading conditions, fact sheet, and selection criteria before submitting an application.

You must attach these supporting documents as part of your application:

Business proposal

Your business proposal should include a marketing strategy and business plan. 

Marketing strategy:

• How do you plan to promote and advertise the business?  
• Have you created a branding and collateral for the business that adds to the look and feel of the products you sell? 
• Provide links to websites, social media pages or other directories used to promote your business. 
• Provide images or designs as an attachment. 

Business plan: 

• Detail how you plan to operate the business, including staffing numbers, work systems, OH&S requirements and operating procedures.  
• Outline how you plan to stock and replenish goods to be sold, how you intend to store them outside of trading hours, and how to manage payments.  
• Provide information on branding or signage you are planning to have on site. 

Products and services 

Explain your products and services and provide us with: 

• any advertising of your goods 
• a full list of the products / services you intend to sell, including pricing for each item 
• photos of the products / services.  

You must be able to demonstrate the products and services you are selling are high quality, unique and distinctive. Applications which include items that are handmade and sustainable (non-disposable items) will be considered more favourably. 

Proposed locations

1. Select a suitable location as per the seasonal street trading selection criteria (PDF 901 KB).  
2. Obtain letter of consent (DOC 42 KB) from adjoining businesses or properties confirming they agree to you trading in the space. It is your responsibility to ensure ongoing consent is maintained.  

Applicants must also include a site plan and at least one photo of the area they intend to occupy. 

We do not issue permits in these locations:

• Bourke Street Mall between Swanston Street and Elizabeth Street
• Swanston Street between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane both east and west sides 
• Directly in front of the Melbourne Town Hall on the eastern side of Swanston Street, between Collins Street and Little Collins Street 
• The promenade at the Crown Entertainment Complex between Spencer Street and Queensbridge Street 
• Privately managed locations including Queen Victoria Market and Federation Square (privately managed locations must be contacted directly) 
• Narrow streets and footpaths with inadequate pedestrian capacity and against the building line 
• Directly in front of entrances or steps at train stations 
• In any location that prevents easy access to and from trams at designated tram stops. 

Infrastructure and equipment

Include the details of all infrastructure and equipment you intend to use including photos, detailed drawings and measurements, showing how you will set up and display your products or service.

Examples of infrastructure include:

• displays for goods including shelving 
• tables and decorations 
• stools or chairs.  

You must comply with the Food Act 1984Opens in new tab if you are selling food and drink. 

For further information regarding food legislation, contact the Health and Wellbeing Branch on 03 9658 8858 or email health@melbourne.vic.gov.au before submitting an application.

If your application is successful, you’ll need to provide a copy of your public liability insurance certificate, with a minimum of $20 million coverage. 

Read more about our public liability insurance requirements.

To amend, extend or cancel your permit, log in to City of Melbourne ServicesOpens in new tab and navigate to the My Permits page.

You can apply for a refund as part of the cancellation process.

Your application must contain the following: 

• business name
• contact name (both first name and surname)
• postal address
• email address
• phone number (mobile number preferred)

You’ll need to provide details of the corresponding event the temporary street trading permit is related to: 

• name of the event being held at Marvel Stadium 
• name of the event organiser 
• event date 
• hours of operation of the temporary street trading permit, noting that no selling is permitted to occur at the conclusion of the event 
• types of goods to be sold 
• list of any infrastructure to be installed 
• site plan showing the proposed site and any infrastructure 
• letter of approval from Marvel Stadium 
• a copy of your current public liability insurance with coverage of $20 Million. Read more about our public liability insurance requirements.