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 2024 ( PDF 973.95KB) S2.13 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 $27.00 (2025-26).
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 an accompanying recording of the performance or a reference must be provided from a suitably qualified person verifying the artistic merit of the performance
- Pay the relevant fees
Busking permit applications must be made at least 10 working days before the date you want to start.
Busking activities allowed under a Council permit are covered under Council’s Casual Hirers Insurance Policy.
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
- The permit holder must ensure that all the permit conditions are complied with at all times.
- 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 is only valid at the stated Location.
- Busking may only occur at the permitted locations of Britannia Mall or Box Hill Mall (as seen in attached photos).
- The permit is only valid for the time period stated on the permit.
- 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.
- A minimum unobstructed distance of 1.8 metres must be maintained from the property line and 0.5m from the kerb at all times.
- 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 furniture such as 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.
- At the conclusion of the permit period a new application form must be submitted.
- The permit must be produced for an Authorised Council Officer on request.
- The permit holder will comply with all directions by a member of Victoria Police or Authorised Council Officer, including a direction that busking cease or that the location of the busking be moved to lessen congestion or inconvenience to other persons.
Permit Condition Breaches
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.
* Busking includes street performance such as singing, dancing, sounding or playing a musical instrument, haranguing or reciting and street art.
