Places of Public Entertainment

A Place of Public Entertainment (POPE) is a building or place used or intended to be used for conducting public entertainment or a public meeting.

When is a Place of Public Entertainment permit required?

The Building Act 1993 requires that a person must not conduct or allow public entertainment in a Place of Public Entertainment unless a POPE Occupancy Permit has been issued for the building or place.

A POPE Occupancy Permit is required if one of the following criteria are met:

  • Public assembly building of more than 500m2, or
  • Place or an area of more than 500m2, or
  • Place or an area which is enclosed or substantially enclosed, or
  • Admission can be gained by payment of money or the giving of other consideration, and which is used or intended to be used for the purpose of providing public entertainment.

When is a Prescribed Temporary Structure approval required?

Siting approval of Prescribed Temporary Structures is required to be obtained prior to erection of the following structures as defined by the Building Act:

  • Tents, marquees, or booths with a floor area greater than 100m2.
  • Seating stands for more than 20 persons.
  • Stages or platforms (including sky borders and stage wings) exceeding 150m2 in floor area.
  • Prefabricated buildings with an area exceeding 100m2 and that are not placed directly on the ground surface.

Exemptions for community-based organisations

Some community-based organisations may be exempt from requiring a POPE permit if both of the following conditions are met:

  • The event or activity is organised and controlled by a community-based organisation; and
  • The number of people in the place at any one time does not exceed 5,000.

NOTE: A Prescribed Temporary Structure or Temporary Building is not exempted.

What qualifies as a community-based organisation

Regulation 206(2) defines a community-based organisation as a body that:

  • Is not established primarily for profit or financial gain, and
  • Does not distribute profits to its members, and
  • Operates solely for one or more of the following community purposes:
    • Philanthropic or benevolent purposes, including the promotion of art, culture, science, religion, education, or charity; or
    • Sporting or recreational purposes, including supporting a sporting or recreational club or association.

APPLY

Step 1.Prepare required documentation

  • Site Plan
  • Event Management Plan
  • Emergency Management Plan
  • Traffic Management Plan
  • Public Liability Insurance and Certificate of Currency
  • Safety Officer qualifications confirming completion of 22591VIC – Course in Place of Public Entertainment Safety Officer
  • Copies of notifications sent to the relevant Emergency Services and Relevant Authorities (for example, email evidence of notification)
  • Written consent from Owner of the land
  • Prescribed Temporary Structure Occupancy Permits and all associated referenced documentation

Additional documents for events using existing buildings:

  • Existing Building Occupancy Permit
  • Annual Essential Safety Measures Report (AESMR)
  • Existing and Proposed Floor Plans
  • Location and Number of Sanitary Facilities

Step 2.Fees

A fee is applicable for a POPE and/or Siting Approval application.

Step 3.Submit application

Complete below documentation:

Application for Occupancy Permit (Form 15)(PDF, 306KB)

Supporting information to accompany Occupancy Permit Application(PDF, 1MB)

Submit your documentation via email mail@monash.vic.gov.au or in person at the Monash Civic Centre 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley.

More information

For further information contact the Building Department on 9518 3555.

 

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