Free samples & business promotions

There are three main types of promotional activities:

Free sample - 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.

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

Small business activation – 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:

• 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 contactAdelaide 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.

If approved, promotions involving the distribution of free samples or discount vouchers can have up to two people in a designated 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 granted for a longer time frame and are approved 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. Note there are different options - "large business promotion - per day", "small business promotion - per day" and "large business promotion- per week".

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 the City of Adelaide’s Customer Centre, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm: