Entertainment permit

If your event needs an Entertainment event permit, you will need to submit an application to Brisbane City Council a minimum of six weeks before the event.

When you need a permit

If the event is a fete or a similar school based event run by the school or P&C organisation, it may be eligible for a self-assessable school based event permit instead of the Entertainment event permit.

Otherwise, if your event is open to the public, it needs an Entertainment event permit if you expect to have more than 2000 people attending over the duration of the event. Events might include:

• amusement rides
• boxing or wrestling contest, display or exhibition
• circus
• school fetes or events that do not meet the requirements for a self-assessable school based event permit
• fairs or festivals
• live artist performances
• live music or entertainment
• music events using RNA showgrounds
• sporting activities including motor racing conducted in venues other than those that have been approved for that purpose.

When no permit is needed

A permit is not required for:

• private parties, functions or activities
• one-off events, festivals or markets with 2000 people or less attending over the duration of the event (however event operators still need to be aware of and comply with the requirements of Entertainment venues and events local law). You are encouraged to read and understand the requirements outlined on these pages.

Fees

The application fee for an event permit depends on the expected number of people attending the event.

Small business fee reduction

If you run a small business, you may be eligible for a small business fee reduction.

This table shows the fees related to entertainment permits including number of people attending event and fees and small business fee reduction.

Number of people attending	Fee	Small business fee reduction
2001 - 10,000	$1,521.75	50%
10,001 and greater	$3,116.30	50%
Amendment (alteration or expansion of the business activity)	$415.75	10%

These fees do not attract GST.

Charitable and religious organisations listed in the Schedule of fees and charges of Brisbane City Council's Budget for the 2019-20 financial year are eligible for a 50% fee reduction.

Not-for-profit organisations (including those that do not qualify for Council's Appendix A list), may be eligible to apply for a Type 2 concession (PDF - 144kb) which provides a 50% remission on the event application fee post approval.

Certain events may also be required to submit a performance bond as part of their permit conditions.  Performance bonds can vary from $5000 to $50,000 depending on the size and risk of the proposed event.  The assessing officer will be able to provide further advice once an application has been received.  The small business fee reduction initiative and the type 2 concession do not apply to performance bonds.

How to apply

1. Application form
   Complete the Application for event approvals online form to apply for the key Council approvals you may need in relation to your event, including:
   • Entertainment events permit application (including the option to book a Council park for the event)
   • Temporary lane/road closure assessment application - special events (including the option to apply for temporary use of the footway).
   Alternatively you can download a hardcopy of the Entertainment events permit application (PDF - 122kb).
   
   You must submit the application form with the appropriate fees to Council a minimum of six weeks before the event. If the site plan, other approvals and supporting documents are not ready at the time it is important to still submit the application form and follow up with the attachments as they become available.
    
2. Site plan
   Prepare a site plan to scale including the following details where applicable:
   • entry and exit points from the event and adjoining buildings
   • emergency services designated areas and access points
   • location and arrangement of noise sources
   • location and arrangement of light sources
   • location of restricted areas
   • method of proposed ventilation (for any indoor event)
   • location and number of bins and toilets
   • location of food and drinks stalls including potable water supply source.
      
3. Other approvals
   Depending on the type of event and activities planned, there are a number of related event approvals required by Council and Queensland Government that you may need for your event. You will need to obtain approval for these activities, and email a copy to Council's Business Hotline:
   • food vendors
   • serving or selling alcohol
   • signage
   • fireworks
   • temporary road closure (part of the Application for event approvals online form)
   • traffic and parking management
   • events in parks (part of the Application for event approvals online form).
4. Supporting documents
   There are a number of supporting documents that must be provided for Council to fully assess your application. Submit as many as you can with your application form and site plan, and email the others to Council's Business Hotline as they become available closer to the event. Supporting documents that may be required include:
   • Certificate of Currency for Public Liability Insurance at a minimum of $20 million indemnifying Council for all claims for personal injury and damage to property arising out of the event
   • copies of the Certificate of Currency for all key subcontractors engaged for the event (e.g. electricians, ride operators, stage/marquee/grandstand erectors etc)
   • notifications to stakeholders
   • waste and sanitary management plan (bins and toilets)
   • rides and animals
   • temporary buildings and structures
   • noise management plan
   • electrical and gas safety
   • security management
   • emergency and evacuation procedures
   • copies or relevant approvals detailed in the above.

Note: if the relevant information is not provided before the event, the permit may not be issued.

More information

For more information, phone Council's Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263).