Print full document Table of contents Content All events, regardless of size, must have appropriate insurance in place. This protects not just the event organiser but also the public, contractors, volunteers and us (Council). Minimum insurance requirements Expand all Collapse all Public liability insurance Event organisers must hold a current Public Liability Insurance policy that includes:minimum of $20 million coveragecovers the dates of the event (including bump-in and bump-out)lists the event name and locationincludes Council as an interested party where required.Submit a copy of your Certificate of Currency with your event application. WorkCover insurance If you are employing people (including contractors), you must have a WorkCover policy in place. It’s important to:ensure your contractors and suppliers have their own WorkCover insurancekeep copies of their certificates on file. Volunteer insurance If your event involves volunteers, you must:ensure they’re covered by your Public Liability or a dedicated Volunteer Insurance policybe clear about who is responsible for them if you’re working in partnership with another organisation. Contractor and performer insurance You are responsible for collecting insurance documents from all relevant parties (note, this list is not exhaustive):ContractorsStallholders and food vendorsAmusement ride operatorsPerformers.They must provide:A current Public Liability Insurance Certificate (minimum $20 million)A valid WorkCover Certificate, if applicable. Expand all Collapse all Event organiser responsibilities Insurance compliance If you fail to obtain and verify the correct insurance documents, your insurance company may refuse to share or accept any claims, leaving you fully liable. This can also lead to higher premiums in future. Due diligence In the event of an incident, a formal investigation will examine whether you undertook due diligence. Failure to demonstrate proper indemnity arrangements and insurance compliance can result in findings being placed on the public record, damaging both your reputation and ours. Procuring reputable contractors Event organisers must ensure that contractors and suppliers are known, reputable, and suitably qualified for the services they provide. This is particularly critical for high-risk activities such as:amusement ride operationsuse of LPG gas and open flamesfireworks and pyrotechnicselectrical works and temporary power installations.Organisers are not expected to be technical experts in these specialist areas. But they're expected to show due diligence when contracting suppliers with the appropriate licences, qualifications and industry experience. Insurance document checklistWhen reviewing contractor insurance documents, always:sight the original certificate of currency (not just a copy embedded in a proposal)confirm the expiry date covers the event period (including bump in/out)check the insured business name matches the contractor you are engagingensure the policy covers the activity being carried out (for example, amusement rides, pyrotechnics, food stall)confirm the limit of liability is at least $20 million, as requiredverify that the insurer is licensed to operate in Australia (for example, listed with APRA)keep copies of all certificates on file with your event documentation.Disclaimer: We won't accept liability where organisers have failed to collect, verify and maintain current insurance documents for their contractors, suppliers or performers. Pagination links Event Plan Boroondara outdoor event guide Choosing a venue
