Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Hobart is trialling an increase to the number of locations where busking and street performance is permitted as well as more flexible terms and conditions for busking and street performance.

The number of permitted locations for busking and street performance is being increased from 3 to 27 locations and includes a mix of city and suburban shopping precincts along with a selection of parks. 

Busking and street performing is permitted between the hours of 8 am and 8 pm on weekdays, Monday to Friday. On weekends, Saturday and Sunday, it is permitted between the hours of 10 am and 8 pm. It is not permitted outside of these hours, unless expressly permitted by the City of Hobart.

We are trialing changes to our Busking and Street Performance Program with the aim of creating more vibrant and appealing public spaces throughout our city. 

The expansion of the current program aims to activate and breathe new life into our streets by increasing opportunities for informal performances and creative expression and supports the aspirations of the Hobart Community Vision that acknowledges Hobart as a creative and cultural capital, with programs that bring creativity to our city. 

Given the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the trial also aims to expand opportunities for local musicians and street performers to perform across Hobart and potentially generate a financial income. It is also hoped that increased vibrancy within retail precincts will have a positive impact on local businesses. 

The trial will last 6 months beginning 1 October 2020 and finishing 30 March 2021.

The public – residents, business owners and buskers and street performers themselves – are encouraged to provide feedback via the City of Hobart Your Say website yoursay.hobartcity.com.au/busking for the duration of the trial. This site has an interactive map that allows feedback to be ‘pinned’ to specific performance locations.

In addition, buskers and street performers who are given a permit and perform during the trial period will be invited to share their experiences via a separate survey.

Officers will evaluate whether the locations nominated for the trial are suitable as performance sites on an ongoing basis as well as the trial terms and conditions. 

The trial performance sites were chosen for their proximity to potentially large numbers of passers-by, while also aiming to reduce possible negative impacts on residents and businesses by ensuring minimum distances from shop frontages and footpath areas for pedestrians.

If successful, the trial performance locations should enhance the vibrancy of public spaces where people naturally congregate and make these places more inviting.

The permit conditions are based on our existing busking permit conditions as well as incorporating additional terms and conditions relevant to the new locations.

Anyone can apply for a Busking and Street Performance Program 6 month trial permit.  

The City defines busking or street performance as the act of performing in a public place often, but not always, in exchange for money. 

Busking and street performance can include playing a musical instrument, singing, juggling, puppetry, living statue performances, magic, chalk art, spoken word/poetry, mime, physical theatre or dance.

The City’s ‘Permitted Performer Card’ must be on display at all times when performing as this identifies the busker or street performer has a permit to participate in the trial.

These can be found at www.hobartcity.com.au/busking or www.yoursay.hobartcity.com.au/busking

Buskers and street performers are required to move on if a business owner has a reasonable concern that the busker’s performance is having a negative impact on their business, their staff or customers. This is outlined in number 16 of the terms and conditions. Alternatively if a business owner does not want to engage with the busker or street performer directly they can contact us on the contact details outlined below.

If you have specific concerns that require a quick response, please contact the City of Hobart Activation Programs and Tourism Unit on 6238 2890 during business hours or email events@hobartcity.com.au

Please provide your feedback via the City of Hobart Your Say website yoursay.hobartcity.com.au/busking.

Some of the locations selected for the trial may work better than others. Please provide your feedback via the City of Hobart Your Say website yoursay.hobartcity.com.au/busking.

If you have specific concerns that require a quick response, please contact the City of Hobart Activation Programs and Tourism Unit on 6238 2890 during business hours or email events@hobartcity.com.au

More information about the Busking and Street Performance Program 6 month trial including the permit conditions, full list of terms and conditions and a map of the performance locations can be found at hobartcity.com.au/busking or yoursay.hobartcity.com.au/busking

A report detailing all feedback and findings will be presented to the Council. The Council will then decide whether the trial permit terms and conditions along with performance locations will be incorporated permanently into the City’s Busking and Street Performance Program.

Please contact the City of Hobart Activation Programs and Tourism Unit on 6238 2890 during business hours or at events@hobartcity.com.au

Residents can ask a busker to move from their current position if they feel their performance is having a negative impact on their quality of life.

Alternatively if a resident does not want to engage with the busker directly they can contact the City of Hobart on 6238 2711 or at coh@hobartcity.com.au