Busking Permit Application
Temporary Busking Exclusion Zone
Commencing 16 October 2024, the City has introduced a temporary busking exclusion zone within 50 meters of the Murray St/Forrest Place intersection. This change comes after an increase in community feedback regarding street performer impacts on local businesses.
We are committed to ensuring our malls remain vibrant while balancing the needs of all users of public spaces and are currently reviewing the busking guidelines to accommodate the evolving use of Perth’s public spaces.
The City of Perth greatly values the diversity of entertainment that buskers and street performers provide in public areas. The City is also committed to providing a safe, accessible and culturally sensitive environment for all visitors, workers and residents.
Key Details
| Service Type | Arts |
| What you need | Video recording of you or your group performing and a description of your act. |
| Eligibility requirements | Anyone from school age up can apply for a permit. Permits for buskers under 16 must be completed by a parent or guardian. |
| Applicable laws | Public Trading Local Law (2005) Street Entertainment Policy (18.9) |
| Duration | Busking permits can be assigned for 12 (twelve) months. | Fees | $0. No fee is applicable. |
What is busking?
A busker is an entertainer who is actively providing a performance in a public space in exchange for a voluntary donation.
What is a busking permit?
A busking permit is a permit issued by the City of Perth that allows street performers to operate in designated public areas.
What is considered busking?
Types of busking performances may include:
- Performing with an instrument or multiple instruments (excluding karaoke-style acts).
- Live performance, including but not limited to singing, dancing, mime, clowning, puppetry, comedy, magic or living statue acts.
- Creating visual art (excluding aerosol art).
What isn’t considered busking?
The following are examples of activities that may not be considered busking:
- Fundraising, events, or promotions, even if they involve an element of performance.
- Spruiking, religious, or otherwise.
- Political rallying.
- Tarot card reading, fortune telling.
- Massage, chiropractic treatment or other physical manipulation.
- Face or body painting.
- Temporary tattoo applications.
- Karaoke performances.
- Flash mobs.
- Performances created with a primary intent to create media content, including, but not limited to the filming of videos for social media or audio for broadcast.
- Any activity that may pose a risk to the performer or the public, including, but not limited to fire twirling, knife juggling or trapeze acts.
- Vendors of any kind, such as the sale of jewellery, craft items, flowers, glow sticks, prefabricated artwork, and other merchandise
- Any activity defined as ‘trading’ pursuant to City of Perth’s Public Trading Local Law 2005
- Begging.
Community impacts
- Buskers must keep their volume to an adequate level and ensure they do not cause a nuisance to local businesses, visitors, or residents.
- The general ambient volume of public spaces has a direct impact on the perception of performance volumes. Buskers should be aware of the space around them during their acts and adjust their volume accordingly when pedestrian numbers change.
- Performers with amps are permitted at all locations except the Hay St Mall.
When can buskers perform?
- Performers can set up in one location for up to an hour at a time, including setup and packing down time.
- Buskers cannot perform at the same location twice within a four-hour window.
- If under 16 years of age, only undertake the activity outside School Hours and
during daylight hours.
How do I report buskers for potential permit breaches?
Please immediately call the City on (08) 9461 3333 whilst the breach is occurring. We will send a representative to review the performance and address any concerns raised.
City Officers must witness breaches of permit conditions and cannot initiate formal action against permit holders solely based on written requests, photos or videos.
Busking applications
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How do I apply for a busking permit?
- Carefully read the Busking Guidelines
- Complete the Busking Permit Application Form
- If you do not have access to a computer, we can assist with the permit submission at Council House.
- You will be required to provide a link to a recent video created to demonstrate the performance.
- Visual artist applicants will be required to submit up to six photographs of their work and their set-up.
- Identification documents will be required, as well as a passport style photo which will be affixed to your permit.
- Applications are assessed by the City's Customer Experience team, which can take up to 10 working days. You will be advised of the outcome of your application via email.
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Do I need to audition for the permit?Yes, applicants must submit a video filmed within the last 6 months that accurately depicts the performance. This should include all costumes, instruments, amplification etc. that will be once the permit is issued.
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Can I audition in-person?Whilst our team would love the opportunity to enjoy a private demonstration, we must apply fair and equal opportunities for all potential buskers. To ensure this, all applicants must produce a video submission.
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We perform in a group, does each person have to apply?
- A single permit application is acceptable if the person assigned the permit is present during all performances. If the performance has a changing cast, multiple permits may be required.
- The permit is applicable for performances with a maximum of 6 people at one time.
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How long does it take to process a busker permit application?Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the application and the volume of applications received. Please allow up to 10 working days for processing.
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What documents do I need to submit with my application?You need to submit a completed application form, identification documents, a passport-style photo, and a video link of your performance (or photographs for visual artists).
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Can I apply for a busker permit if I am not a resident of Perth?Yes, you can apply for a busker permit regardless of your residency status. However, you must comply with all conditions and regulations from external government agencies such as the Australian Tax office and the Department of Home Affairs.
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What happens if I fail to comply with permit conditions?Failure to comply with permit conditions may result in suspension or cancellation of your permit.
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How old do you need to be to get a permit?
- Students and children are permitted to apply for Busking Permits. The City will establish permission with the Parent/Guardian once the application has been approved.
- If under 12 years of age the performer must be constantly supervised by a parent/guardian.
- If under 16 years of age, the performer can only undertake the activity outside School Hours and during daylight hours. Time restrictions may be waived if the performance is part of a school initiative.
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How do I renew a permit?Performers should submit a new application, ensuring an updated audition video is submitted.
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How can I provide feedback on the application process?Please email us at info@cityofperth.wa.gov.au. We value your input and use it to improve our services.
Need more help?
If you have any further questions please contact: 9461 3333 or email: info@cityofperth.wa.gov.au