Fundraising permits

Eligible organisations

Fundraising permits are generally granted for charitable organisations, local non-profit groups and other organisations whose activities will benefit the residents of the City of Whittlesea.

Charitable organisations are those who use the proceeds from their fundraising activities to relieve poverty, suffering or social distress. Non-profit groups generally provide a service to the community and aim to enhance the wellbeing of residents.

Cost

There is no fee for fundraising permits.

Street stalls selling food may need to pay a fee for Temporary Food Act registration. See Temporary and mobile food premises.

Preparing your application

Your organisation must hold a public liability insurance policy for at least $10 million in the joint names of the Council and the organisation. This must be current for the period of the fundraising and insure the organisation and Council against any actions, costs, claims or damages that may arise from the event.

We accept no responsibility for any property damage, injury or financial loss arising out of the running of a fundraising event.

Applying for a permit

To apply for a fundraising permit, complete and submit a Charity fundraising permit form.

We must receive your application for a fundraising permit between 1 and 3 months before the proposed date of the fundraising event. Applications submitted earlier or later than this will not be accepted.

You can lodge your application in person or by mail:

• In person - bring your completed form and a copy of your current public liability policy to our Local Laws counter at the Civic Centre
• Mail - mail your completed form and a copy of your current public liability policy to:
  City of Whittlesea
  Locked Bag 1
  Bundoora MDC VIC 3083

Application approval process

You will receive your permit within 5 business days of your application.

Permit conditions

Different conditions apply depending on which type of fundraising permit you need:

Appeals on streets/footpaths

Organisations appealing for public donations on the footpath, street, parkland, playground or in any other public place, must do the following:

• Provide proof of the business owner's permission, if the public appeal will take place outside a shop.
• Obey Victoria's Road Rules and the Road Safety (General) Regulations 1999.
• Ensure people involved with the public appeal wear highly visible clothing.
• Ensure each public appeal site:
• has at least 1 'supervisor' who will have a copy of the relevant permit to show a Police or Council officer when requested
• has appropriate signage in place
• does not take place in locations with tram services
• does not cause any inconvenience to pedestrian or vehicular traffic
• tell the closest Victoria Police station when the public appeal will take place.

Doorknocks

Organisations holding a doorknock to raise money for a club or charity must do the following:

• Clearly identify each person involved in the doorknock.
• Produce a copy of the permit to any doorknocked residents upon request.
• Tell the closest Victoria Police station when the doorknock will take place.

The maximum number of doorknocks allowed within the City of Whittlesea is 4 per year, to ensure maximum success for each doorknock and to avoid inconvenience to residents.

Highway collections

Organisations holding a collection at intersections to raise money for a club or charity must do the following:

• Obtain a separate permit from the Traffic Support Division of the Victoria Police and obey any conditions.
• Ensure highway collectors wear highly visible clothing and obey Victoria's Road Rules and the Road Safety (General) Regulations 1999.
• Ensure each collection site:
• has at least 1 'supervisor' who will have a copy of the relevant permit to show a Police or Council officer when requested
• has appropriate signage in place
• does not take place in locations with tram services
• does not cause any inconvenience to pedestrian or vehicular traffic
• Tell the closest Victoria Police Station when the highway collection will take place.

The maximum number of highway collections allowed within the City of Whittlesea is 4 per year, to ensure maximum success for each collection and to avoid inconvenience to residents.

Outdoor raffles

Fundraising permits for outdoor raffles are temporary and are valid only for the duration of the raffle. Organisations holding a raffle in a public shopping centre, in parks, or on a footpath or nature strip, must do the following:

• Adhere to the requirements of the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation.
• Provide proof of the business owner's permission, if raffle tickets will be sold outside a shop.
• Ensure raffle ticket sellers wear highly visible clothing or identifying badges, and obey Victoria's Road Rules, the Road Safety (General) Regulations 1999.
• Ensure each raffle site:
• has at least 1 'supervisor' who will have a copy of the relevant permit to show a Police or Council officer when requested
• has appropriate signage in place
• does not cause any inconvenience to pedestrian or vehicular traffic
• Tell the closest Victoria Police Station before raffle sales begin.

Street stalls

You do not need a permit for stalls held on private land such as shopping centres, the Northern Hospital or RMIT, but you will need to ask the owners' permission.

Fundraising permits for street stalls are temporary and valid only for the duration of the stall. Organisations holding a street stall on a footpath or in a public carpark must do the following:

• Hold the stall at an agreed location.
• Provide proof of the business owner's permission, if the stall is located outside a shop.
• Ensure the stall:
• has at least 1 'stall supervisor' who will have a copy of the relevant permit
• does not block pedestrian or vehicle traffic and is clear of shop doorways.
• Ensure food being sold is adequately wrapped or enclosed, and that you hold Temporary Food Act registration. See Temporary food stalls.
• Remove all goods, materials and rubbish at the end of the stall, and leave the site in a clean and tidy condition.