All buskers, performers, spruikers and pavement artists working in a Council space need to have a busking permit.
Busking permits as specified under the Whitehorse Community Local Law (2014) ( PDF 280.06KB) S4.23 ensure that there are no venue booking clashes and busking is only allowed in the line-marked spaces at Britannia Mall, Mitcham and Box Hill Mall, Box Hill.
If you wish to perform on private land, a Council permit is not required. However, you will need to seek permission from the owner of that land.
Permit Fee (GST exempt)
The permit application fee is $54 (2023-24).
Note:If your application is unsuccessful, your application fee will be refunded in full.
Apply for a Permit Online
To busk in a Council space, applicants must complete an online Busking Permit Application form, supply the necessary documentation and pay the relevant fees.
Busking permit applications must be made at least 10 working days before to the date you want to start.
Renewing a Permit
You must lodge a new online application along with the required supporting documentation to renew your Busking Permit.
Busking Permit Conditions and Permit Breaches
Permit Conditions
- Busking may only occur once a valid permit has been issued
- The applicant must pay the permit application fee and supply valid copies of the required documentation with their application
- The applicant must have $10 million of public liability insurance. A valid Certificate of Currency must be supplied with the application
- The permit is not transferrable:
- Permits are not to be photocopied and the copies used by someone not named on the permit
- Permits are not to be leased, sold or given away
- No form of advertising of a permit for rent, lease, sale profit or other beneficial or fraudulent consideration of causing such an advertisement to be published is permitted
- The permit must be produced for an authorised Council Officer on request
- The permit is only valid at the nominated site location stated on the permit - the line-marked rectangles in Box Hill Mall or Britannia Mall
- The permit is only valid for the time period stated on the permit
- No sound amplification equipment may be used when busking on Council land
- Council will NOT allow, without a valid Council permit, the installation of permanent structures, including electrical lighting and sound systems on Council land
- Separate permits are required for A-frame display boards, planter boxes, goods on display, tables, chairs, umbrellas and barriers or any other material
- The permit holder is not to advertise or associate the busking activity with advertising in any performance nor sell or offer or expose for sale any article or commodity
- Any drawings, sketches or other artwork made on any footpath must be easily erasable, in a non-permanent medium such as chalk, charcoal or pastel which cannot be detrimental to the environment
- The permit holder must set up in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) principles and relevant codes and standards to provide unobstructed access to others using the area
- At the conclusion of the permit period a new application form must be submitted
- The permit holder will comply with all directions by an authorised Council Officers or a member of Victoria Police, including a direction that busking cease or that the location of the busking be moved to lessen congestion or inconvenience to other persons
- The permit may be suspended by a member of Victoria Police or by an authorised Council Officer for any reason at any time. No permit fee will be refunded
- Any other condition which the Council considers to be appropriate.
Permit Condition Breaches
The City of Whitehorse Community Local Law ( PDF 280.06KB) provides for penalties for any breaches detected by authorised Council Officers. If the permit holder breaches the permit conditions:
- The permit may be cancelled
- Fines may be issued
- Costs incurred by Council may be charged directly to the permit holder
- Goods or equipment may be impounded
- Future permit applications may be declined