Australian event approvals guide · choose your state
Reviewed October 2026The ACT event approvals guide
Everything an organiser in Australian Capital Territory typically needs. Not every item applies — use the checker to get your own list.
Access Canberra / Events ACT (via TCCS) · start 8 weeks out
Territory land event approval
There are no local councils in the ACT — the ACT Government (via Access Canberra and Transport Canberra and City Services) approves use of territory land for events.
- Most public open space is unleased territory land managed by TCCS; events need a territory land approval.
- Events ACT coordinates major/significant events across agencies; smaller events apply via Access Canberra.
- Expect a site plan review, hire fees and a bond for larger bookings.
- Lead times of 6–12 weeks for small events; major events need 3–6 months.
Paperwork: Event application form, Site plan, Run sheet, Certificate of currency
Your organisation · start 4 weeks out
Public liability insurance
The ACT Government typically asks for $10–20 million public liability cover, noting the Territory as an interested party.
- Stallholders, food vendors and ride operators should supply their own certificates of currency.
- Check the exact cover amount required in your territory land approval conditions.
Paperwork: Certificate of currency (organiser + all vendors)
Your organisation · start 6 weeks out
Risk management plan
A written plan identifying hazards, controls, and who is responsible.
- Cover crowd, weather, heat, fire, lost children, medical, and site hazards.
- Include an emergency management plan with evacuation points and contacts.
- Organisers have duties under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (ACT).
Paperwork: Risk register, Emergency management plan
Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS) · start 12 weeks out
Road closure & Traffic Management Plan
Closing or affecting roads needs a Traffic Management Plan approved by TCCS.
- TCCS administers road occupancy and traffic management approvals for events on ACT roads.
- Traffic control plans must be prepared by an accredited traffic controller/designer.
- Notify affected residents, businesses and bus operators in advance.
- National Capital Authority (NCA) approval is also needed for events affecting national land roads (e.g. around the Parliamentary Triangle).
Paperwork: Traffic Management Plan, Traffic Control Plans, Resident notification letter
ACT Policing · start 8 weeks out
Notify ACT Policing
Notify ACT Policing (delivered by the AFP) for large gatherings, road events and licensed events.
- Police input is often required as part of traffic approval and liquor licensing processes.
- Large events may need user-pays police.
Paperwork: Event notification to ACT Policing
Access Canberra (Liquor Licensing) · start 6 weeks out
Special event liquor licence
Selling or supplying alcohol at an event needs a Special Event liquor licence under the Liquor Act 2010 (ACT).
- Apply through Access Canberra well ahead of the event — several weeks' notice is recommended.
- All servers need a current ACT RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) certificate.
- Check whether the site is subject to any alcohol restrictions.
- Larger events require an Alcohol Management Plan and police consultation.
Paperwork: Special event licence application, Alcohol Management Plan, Staff RSA list, Landowner/territory land consent
ACT Health (Health Protection Service) · start 4 weeks out
Temporary food stall approvals
Food vendors must register/notify under the Food Act 2001 (ACT) and follow temporary event guidelines.
- Each business must notify ACT Health's Health Protection Service of temporary food business details.
- Many vendors need a trained Food Safety Supervisor or equivalent knowledge.
- Provide hand-washing, waste and grey-water facilities.
- Gas cylinders and cooking equipment need a fire safety check.
Paperwork: Vendor list, Temporary food business notifications, Food Safety Supervisor certificates
Access Canberra (Building Services) · start 6 weeks out
Temporary structures (stages, marquees, seating)
Stages, tents and grandstands may need approval and engineer sign-off.
- Smaller temporary structures may be exempt under ACT building exemptions.
- Larger marquees, stages and seating usually need a temporary structure approval.
- Expect to supply structural engineer certification and an installer's compliance statement.
- Check for underground services (Dial Before You Dig) before pegging.
Paperwork: Structure specifications, Engineer certificate, Wind/weather management plan
EPA ACT (Environment Protection Authority) · start 6 weeks out
Amplified sound & noise management
Amplified music needs approval and must stay within noise limits and curfews under the Environment Protection Act 1997 (ACT).
- EPA ACT sets permitted hours and levels; your territory land approval often repeats these conditions.
- Notify nearby residents; larger events may need a noise management plan and acoustic monitoring.
- Playing recorded music publicly needs a OneMusic Australia licence.
Paperwork: Noise management plan, Resident notification, OneMusic licence
Access Canberra · start 8 weeks out
Late-night operation
Events running past around 10pm face stricter noise, lighting and security conditions.
- Most territory land approvals require music to stop between 10pm and 11pm near residential areas.
- Plan lighting, transport home and pack-down noise.
Paperwork: Extended hours request, Lighting plan
WorkSafe ACT / ACT Fire & Rescue · start 4 weeks out
Fireworks display
Only a licensed pyrotechnician can run a display, with notice to WorkSafe ACT and ACT Fire & Rescue.
- The pyrotechnician must hold the relevant explosives/high-hazard licence and lodge notification before the display.
- ACT Fire & Rescue (ESA) must be notified; displays are cancelled on Total Fire Ban days.
- Territory land consent and resident notification are needed.
Paperwork: Pyrotechnician licence, WorkSafe notification, Fireworks plan & exclusion zone
Your organisation · start 6 weeks out
Licensed security & crowd management
Crowd controllers must hold an ACT security licence; approvals and ACT Policing set staffing ratios for large events.
- A common rule of thumb is 2 guards for the first 100 people, then 1 per additional 100 — confirm with Access Canberra and ACT Policing.
- Include a crowd management plan, entry/exit points and capacity limits.
Paperwork: Security provider licence, Crowd management plan
ACT Ambulance Service · start 4 weeks out
First aid & medical services
Provide qualified first aid; large events need a medical provider and ACT Ambulance Service notification.
- Major events should notify the ACT Ambulance Service and may need a dedicated medical plan.
- Plan for heat, shade and drinking water.
Paperwork: First aid provider booking, Medical plan
TCCS · start 4 weeks out
Toilets, waste & cleaning
Show enough toilets, bins and cleaning for your crowd size.
- Your territory land approval often sets minimum toilet ratios; include accessible units.
- A waste management plan with recycling streams is commonly required.
Paperwork: Waste management plan, Toilet hire booking
Access Canberra (Gambling and Racing Commission) · start 4 weeks out
Fundraising, raffles & lucky draws
Raising money for a cause may require authorisation; raffles follow ACT gaming rules.
- Charitable collections and fundraising may need registration under ACT charitable collections rules.
- Raffles and lucky draws must follow the Lotteries Act 1964 (ACT) via the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission.
Paperwork: Fundraising/charitable collection authorisation, Raffle permit
National Capital Authority (NCA) · start 8 weeks out
Lake & waterway use (Lake Burley Griffin)
Events on or around Lake Burley Griffin and other ACT waterways need extra approvals and water-safety planning.
- Lake Burley Griffin and its foreshores are national land — events there need National Capital Authority (NCA) approval, separate from territory land approvals.
- Water-based activities (rowing, paddling, boats) need on-water event approval and safety planning.
- Engage lifesaving or professional water safety crews for on-water events.
- Some foreshore areas have additional heritage and landscape conditions set by the NCA.
Paperwork: NCA works/event approval, Water safety plan
ACT Rural Fire Service / ACT Fire & Rescue · start 2 weeks out
Open flames, BBQs & bushfire season
Open fires are restricted in the declared bush fire danger period and banned on Total Fire Ban days.
- A fire permit may be required during the declared Bush Fire Danger Period (generally October–March).
- Have a fire-weather contingency and extinguishers at each cooking point.
Paperwork: Fire permit (if required), Fire safety checklist
CASA · start 4 weeks out
Drone filming
Flying over crowds needs a CASA-certified operator with the right approvals.
- Recreational flyers cannot fly over or within 30 m of people.
- Much of central Canberra is controlled airspace near Canberra Airport and restricted over Parliament House — check NOTAMs.
Paperwork: Operator ReOC/RePL, Drone flight plan
Your organisation · start 4 weeks out
Accessibility & inclusion
Plan accessible paths, parking, toilets and viewing areas.
- Consider quiet spaces, Auslan interpreters for programmed content, and clear signage.
Paperwork: Accessibility checklist