Business promotions & free samples

There are three main types of promotional activities:

Distribution of free samples - refers to merchandise or any sealed food products, such as yoghurt, packet soup and chocolates, being given away with no obligation placed on the person accepting the sample.

Flyering - refers to handing out items such as pamphlets and discount vouchers to advertise a particular product or business.

Business promotions – refers to the temporary use of a public area (usually adjacent to a business) for a promotional activity that engages the public. Examples of small activation include a bike business using a public area for bike repairs during the Tour Down Under or a food business extending their outdoor dining for the Melbourne Cup.

Anyone can apply for an On-street activity permit for the purpose of handing out free samples and business promotions.

Various public areas within the city and North Adelaide can be used to conduct a business promotion. Applications are approved on a case-by-case basis. 

Please note the following locations are not covered under a City of Adelaide permit as they fall within the jurisdiction of other authorities:

• Rundle Mall - for further information please contact our Rundle Mall team via the Rundle Mall website
• Adelaide Central Market – for further information please visit the Adelaide Central Market website
• Adelaide Oval River Bank Precinct - for further information please contact the Stadium Management Authority
• the footbridge - for further information please contact the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure
• Adelaide Train Station - for further information please contact Adelaide Metro
• Within 50m of a Major Event (as declared by the Minister under the Major Events Act 2013). Please contact the event organisers as no activities will be approved by any of the relevant authorities

Please note: business promotions will only be approved in locations where there is no direct conflict or competition with a local business.

The On-Street Activities Operating Guidelines detail the principles and conditions for business promotions and handing out free samples.

For promotions where flyers or free samples are handed out, up to two people are allowed in an area for a maximum of three hours. A minimal amount of infrastructure can be used with this type of activity.

Small business activations (using more infrastructure) can be approved for a longer time frame and are assessed on a case by case basis.

The costs for the On-street activity permits can be found in City of Adelaide’s current fees and charges schedule. 

Fees are based on the area used for your activity

Use our permit fee calculator to estimate your fees before applying. (Please note that 1 person = 2 square metres)

Before submitting your application, please ensure that your proposed activity is compliant with the current restrictions that are in place due to COVID-19.

An application for an On-street activity permit can be easily made online. Before you start, please have the following handy as you will need to submit:

• a description and example (such as a photo) of the item to be distributed
• a Certificate of Currency of your Public Liability Insurance with a minimum cover of $20 million and noting City of Adelaide as an interested party
• a map showing the location(s) – note the location conditions above
• a plan showing the setup of any infrastructure (if applicable).

Apply now

If you have any questions regarding On-street activities permits, please contact us: