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Busking

Permit, fee, amplification, hours and age limits for every council that has rules. Where it says "Not published", ring the council.

APRA AMCOS no longer pays for busking.From 1 July 2026, performances in streets, shopping centres, parks and transport hubs can’t be claimed on a Performance Report. Gigs in venues still can. See The industry route.
There is no NSW-wide rule. Every council sets its own.The City of Sydney's test is that you cannot be heard 50 metres away and amplified acts get one hour a pitch. The Rocks measures decibels. Penrith says 30 metres. Sutherland, Liverpool, Blacktown and Crown St Mall allow no amplification at all. No station busking program exists on Sydney Trains' site.

City and Harbour 2

City of Sydney
  • PermitYes, $52
  • AmpsOnly as a High Impact act, one hour a pitch a day. Unamplified acts get two hours. Must not be heard 50 metres away.
  • HoursSpecial sites (Pitt St Mall, Martin Place, Hyde Park, QVB, George St) 11am–10pm. Pitt St Mall has three pitches, first in; no fire.
  • AgeFee not listed.
  • AlsoHigh Impact acts need an act assessment first. New code from 4 August 2026; the policy is still under review.
  • Linkcityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
The Rocks, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Barangaroo (Placemaking NSW)
  • PermitYes: $20 admin fee, apply online with a sample recording
  • AmpsThe Rocks: 82 dBA at 3 metres, 76 dBA at 6 metres, measured over a minute. Darling Harbour and Barangaroo rules not listed.
  • HoursCircular Quay 8am–9pm (two pitches from 10am). Barangaroo 10am–9pm, no NYE or Australia Day. Two hours a pitch; circle acts 45 minutes.
  • AgeUnder-18s need parental consent.
  • Also$10m public liability with Property NSW as interested party, ID and a photo. 16 new pitches added November 2025. Pitch map on The Rocks site. Policy under review.
  • Linkplacemakingpermits.com.au

Councils 20

Inner West (Newtown, Marrickville, Ashfield)
  • PermitYes: free, one year
  • AmpsAllowed; council can impose a decibel limit. None on Victoria Rd near Marrickville Metro.
  • Hours9am–9pm, two hours a site.
  • AgeUnder-18s need parental consent.
  • AlsoMain streets and urban centres. Not Liverpool Rd, Ashfield, except outside the Civic Centre.
  • Linkinnerwest.nsw.gov.au
Northern Beaches (Manly Corso)
  • PermitYes. Manly: $38.70 a day, $69 a month, $154 a quarter. Elsewhere: $35.10 a year, free under 16
  • AmpsBattery only, reasonable volume. No mains power.
  • Hours10am–5pm, 7pm in daylight saving. 45 minutes a spot, then move.
  • Age18+ for Manly, 16+ elsewhere, consent below that.
  • AlsoManly busking is the Corso only, Darley Rd to South Steyne.
  • Linknorthernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Willoughby (Chatswood Mall)
  • PermitYes: $50 a year or $12.50 a quarter, with an audio or video sample
  • AmpsNot published.
  • HoursTwo hours standard; bands book longer.
  • AgeNot published.
  • AlsoProfessionals need $10m public liability.
  • Linkwilloughby.nsw.gov.au
Parramatta
  • PermitYes: a street entertainment permit is needed. Fee not listed.
  • AmpsNot published.
  • HoursTwo continuous hours a permit.
  • AgeNot published.
  • AlsoApply three weeks ahead with $10m public liability.
  • Linkcityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
Burwood
  • PermitYes. The Burwood Unplugged program is free, and there is also a standard permit.
  • AmpsNot published.
  • HoursNot published.
  • AgeUnder-18s need consent.
  • AlsoOriginals not required.
  • Linkburwood.nsw.gov.au
Canada Bay
  • PermitYes, free pilot, May to October 2026
  • AmpsNot published.
  • Hours9am–9pm, six sites.
  • AgeNot published.
  • AlsoPilot; check it has been extended.
  • Linkcollaborate.canadabay.nsw.gov.au
Strathfield
  • PermitYes, $19 a person a day, free under 18
  • AmpsNot published.
  • HoursNot published.
  • AgeFree under 18.
  • Linkstrathfield.nsw.gov.au
Ryde
  • PermitYes, free, up to twelve months, expires 30 June
  • AmpsNot published.
  • HoursNot published.
  • AgeNot published.
  • AlsoPDF form to [email protected].
  • Linkryde.nsw.gov.au
Hornsby (Hornsby Mall)
  • PermitYes, $10 a timeslot, five a month, book five working days ahead
  • AmpsNo mains power.
  • HoursTwo designated spots.
  • AgeUnder-18s need permission; under-13s supervised.
  • Linkhornsby.nsw.gov.au
Waverley (Bondi)
  • PermitYes, one-year licence, 30 at a time, apply to [email protected]
  • AmpsNot published.
  • HoursNot published.
  • AgeParental consent under 16.
  • Also$20m public liability.
  • Linkwaverley.nsw.gov.au
Georges River (Hurstville, Kogarah)
  • PermitYes, street performance application, fee not stated
  • AmpsNot published.
  • HoursNot published.
  • AgeNot published.
  • Linkgeorgesriver.nsw.gov.au
Fairfield
  • PermitYes, free
  • AmpsNot published.
  • HoursNot published.
  • AgeWorking With Children Check if 18+.
  • AlsoSeven town centres.
  • Linkfairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
Liverpool
  • PermitYes, free
  • AmpsNone unless approved.
  • HoursMacquarie Mall only.
  • Age12+, consent under 18. Max five people.
  • Also$20m public liability.
  • Linkliverpool.nsw.gov.au
Blacktown
  • PermitYes, $55.50 a year, via the events team
  • AmpsNone.
  • HoursTen weeks or 70 days a year.
  • AgeNot published.
  • Linkblacktown.nsw.gov.au
Penrith and St Marys
  • PermitYes. $20 for the first year, $10 to renew, and $10 for a three-month under-18 permit. Apply in person; it takes 2–4 weeks.
  • AmpsBattery only. Not heard beyond about 30 metres.
  • HoursNot 10pm–7am. Two hours per site, eight approved.
  • AgeUnder-16s need written permission and a parent present; school-age only before 9am and after 3:30pm in term.
  • Linkpenrithcity.nsw.gov.au
Campbelltown and Ingleburn
  • PermitYes, fee not stated
  • AmpsNot published.
  • HoursThree hours a location.
  • Age16+, with a parental consent letter.
  • AlsoBuskers are exempt from the public liability requirement.
  • Linkcampbelltown.nsw.gov.au
Camden
  • PermitYes, free, valid to 31 December
  • AmpsNot published.
  • HoursNot published.
  • AgeNot published.
  • Linkcamden.nsw.gov.au
Sutherland Shire
  • PermitNo licence needed
  • AmpsNone.
  • Hours10am–5pm, 7pm in daylight saving.
  • AgeNot published.
  • AlsoEngadine, Sutherland, Jannali, Gymea and Cronulla Mall. Public liability of $2m recommended.
  • Linkcms.ssc.nsw.gov.au
Hawkesbury (Windsor Mall)
  • PermitYes, form from January 2021, fee not stated
  • AmpsDeclared on the form.
  • HoursSix hours a day max.
  • AgeUnder-18s accompanied by an adult.
  • Linkhawkesbury.nsw.gov.au
Blue Mountains
  • PermitNo permit in permissible locations
  • AmpsNone.
  • HoursNot published.
  • AgeNot published.
  • Linkbmcc.nsw.gov.au

Wollongong, Central Coast, Hunter, the Mountains 5

Wollongong (Crown St Mall)
  • PermitYes. Half-day permits are free until 30 June 2027. Quarterly and annual permits are not available at the moment.
  • AmpsNone in Crown St Mall.
  • HoursNo fee listed. Applications take up to four days.
  • AgeConsent under 18.
  • Linkwollongongcbd.com.au
Central Coast
  • PermitYes, $20 for twelve months, lodge in person
  • AmpsNot excessively loud.
  • Hours9am–9pm.
  • AgeConsent signed in person under 18.
  • Linkcentralcoast.nsw.gov.au
Port Stephens
Kiama
  • PermitYes, fee on application
  • AmpsNot published.
  • HoursNot published.
  • AgeConsent under 18.
  • Linkkiama.nsw.gov.au
Maitland and Shoalhaven
  • PermitNo permits issued. Follow their code or guidelines.
  • AmpsNot published.
  • HoursNot published.
  • AgeNot published.
  • AlsoMaitland has a buskers' code of conduct. Shoalhaven says ask market organisers.
  • Linkshoalhaven.nsw.gov.au

Markets 2

Glebe Markets
Paddy's Markets
  • PermitA busker form exists; contents not readable
  • AmpsNot published.
  • HoursNot published.
  • AgeNot published.
  • Linkpaddysmarkets.com.au

Nothing Published

Newcastle, Cumberland, Canterbury-Bankstown, Bayside, Lane Cove, Mosman, Hunters Hill, Wollondilly, North Sydney, Woollahra, The Hills. No permit page, no rules, no form.

Public Liability

The Rocks, Parramatta, Willoughby, Waverley and Liverpool require it; Sutherland recommends it. None of these names busking specifically.

Musicians Australia (MEAA)
$3.89 a week membership includes public and products liability. Limit not published.
musiciansaustralia.org
Duck for Cover
Musician and singer category: $82 first year, $73 renewing.
duckforcover.com.au
APRA AMCOS members
Marsh Gig Cover, 30 days from $30. Aon performer liability from $115 with a $5 member discount.
apraamcos.com.au
City Rural: street performer insurance
$20m liability for buskers, priced by quote.
streetperformerinsurance.com.au

Taking Tips by Card

Square
1.6% a tap. Reader $65, no monthly fee.
squareup.com
SumUp
1.4% a tap. Air $49, Go $149, no monthly fee.
sumup.com
Tyro BYO app
1.3%, tap on your own phone, no rental.
tyro.com
PocketTip
Free QR tip page; the tipper pays the fee.
pockettip.com.au

Busking Comps

Tamworth Country Music Festival
15–24 January 2027. Free registration, never closes. Ten buskers picked for the Toyota Busking Championships.
tcmf.com.au
Australian National Busking Championships
Heats in Cobargo (February) and the Central Coast (postponed to 2027); grand final in Cooma, 13–15 November 2026. Fees and prizes not published.
nsw.gov.au
Henry Lawson Festival, Grenfell
June long weekend. $250 a category, People's Choice $150. Registrations close late May. $20m public liability.
henrylawsonfestival.com.au
Australian Celtic Festival, Glen Innes
Four festival days in May, cash prizes, applications from 1 May. Public liability or an alternative required.
australiancelticfestival.com

MusicNSW, APRA AMCOS, Support Act and the Live Music Office publish no guide to busking. The City of Sydney and Placemaking NSW policies are both under review, so check the fee before you pay it.

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