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Guideline for concerts events and organised gatherings

The Guideline aims to ensure WA concerts, events and organised gatherings are safe for patrons and neighbours.

The Guidelines for concerts, events and organised gatherings 2022 (10MB PDF) prescribes requirements for concerts, events and organised gatherings such as sporting events to ensure that places are safe for patrons, do not disturb neighbouring people and provide uniformity throughout WA.

The guideline replaces the 2009 version, identifying basic standards and safety measures for event organisers to satisfy authorities including local government, police and emergency response organisations. 

The new guidelines include the following new sections:
  • drones
  • infection control
  • counter terrorism
  • crowd care / peer support
The following sections have been updated:
  • the WA disaster response
  • medical / first aid - the event risk tool and the medical risk tool have been combined into one form (p. 106)
  • lasers and pyrotechnics
  • sanitary facilities and
  • accessible events
It is important to read all the information provided in this resource when planning events to determine the parts that are applicable to your event. 

Download the complete guideline or a specific section: 

Full Guideline for concerts, events and organised gatherings (PDF 10MB)

Part A - Background and administrative considerations

Section 1 – Background (389KB PDF)

Section 2 – Roles and responsibilities (PDF 496KB)

Section 3 - Background and administrative considerations (PDF 474KB)

Part B – Guidelines

Section 4 - Accessible events and risk management (PDF 1.7MB)

  • Guideline 1 - Venue suitability
  • Guideline 2 - Creating an accessible event
  • Guideline 3 - Preliminary event rating
  • Guideline 4 - Risk management
  • Guideline 5 - Emergency management
  • Guideline 6 - Protecting crowded places from terrorism
  • Guideline 7 - Medical and first aid
  • Guideline 8 – Infection control

Section 5 – Public Building Approvals (PDF 2.4MB)

  • Guideline 9 - Public building approvals
  • Guideline 10- Public building design
  • Guideline 11 - Temporary structures (marquees, tents, spectator stands)
  • Guideline 12 - Spectator stands
  • Guideline 13 - Shows, carnivals and fairs
  • Guideline 14 - Motor sports

Section 6 - Event Operational Considerations (866KB PDF)

  • Guideline 15 - Event operational procedures
  • Guideline 16 - Fire fighting
  • Guideline 17 - Stakeholder coordinated approach

Section 7 – Crowd Management (1.5MB PDF)

  • Guideline 18 - Crowd dynamics
  • Guideline 19 - Crowd control and security
  • Guideline 20 - Crowd management requirements
  • Guideline 21 - Entry and exits

Section 8 – Management of Alcohol (829KB PDF)

  • Guideline 22 - Alcohol-related issues
  • Guideline 23 - Liquor license application

Section 9 – Drug-Related Issues (1MB PDF)

  • Guideline 24 – Drug-related harm
  • Guideline 25 - Needles and syringes
  • Guideline 26 - Tobacco and smoking

Section 10 – Reducing Impacts (1.5MB PDF)

  • Guideline 27 - Environmental considerations
  • Guideline 28 - Lightning
  • Guideline 29 - Noise
  • Guideline 30 - Hazardous goods – lasers, pyrotechnics, LPG, flammable liquids
  • Guideline 31 - Vehicles and transport
  • Guideline 32 - Clean-up and rubbish removal

Section 11 – Amenities (2.2MB PDF)

  • Guideline 33 - Toilets and cleaning
  • Guideline 34 - Water
  • Guideline 35 - Temporary food stalls at events
  • Guideline 36 - Electrical installations
  • Guideline 37 - Lighting for events
  • Guideline 38 - Camping

Supporting tools (829KB PDF)

  1. Creating accessible events
  2. Risk classification for events
  3. Welfare – crowd care / peer support
  4. Hazard keywords
  5. Developing a risk management plan
  6. Event briefing and debriefing
  7. Temporary structures – Typical check list
  8. Speed conversion table
  9. Force conversion table
  10. Construction induction training
  11. Crowd management checklist
  12. Stage barrier design considerations
  13. Dealing with patrons in distress
  14. Concert safety policy
  15. Entries and exits
  16. Crowd management planning tool
  17. Crowd management procedure
  18. Alcohol-related problems
  19. Liquor license application requirements
  20. Liquor licence assessment checklist
  21. Guide to recycling at events
  22. Toilets for temporary events

Forms (145KB PDF)

  • Form 1 – Application to construct, extend or alter a public building
  • Form 2 – Application for a certificate of approval
  • Form 3 – Application for variation of a certificate of approval
  • Form 5 – Certificate of electrical compliance
  • Typical event application form
Event organisers and managers are reminded to register all events with more than 500 patrons to the Department of Health by completing the event registration form. 
Purpose of the guideline

The primary target for the Guideline for concerts, events and organised gatherings (Guidelines) is event organisers. However, it is also a useful tool for local governments, police and WA government agencies. 

The Guideline contains information for all types of events, including: 

  • roles and responsibilities for government agencies and key personnel associated with events including security and medical support
  • general information about events
  • forms and support tools to complete when holding an event.

The purpose of this resource is to provide information to make events safer, identify basic standards necessary to satisfy authorities and provide a consistent statewide approach to concerts, events and organised gatherings.

When using the Guideline, the size and complexity of the event must be considered to ensure that appropriate information is used for guidance.  Care needs to be taken to selectively determine the appropriate controls for risks which are identified. 

The Guideline provides advice on issues that may not be covered by formal legislation and contains information to assist the interpretation of prescribed legislation such as the National Construction Code and the Health (Public Buildings) Regulations 1992 (external site).

It is important to note that even though a venue or facility may comply with all prescribed legislation, it does not mean that all health or safety aspects have been addressed.

Whilst this guide is not a legislative document it could be considered a best practice guideline.

 
Event definition
An event is defined as "A gathering of people brought together for a common purpose by some previous arrangement.  The Guidelines are applicable to events that are both of a temporary nature and recurring or annual events".
Is this resource relevant to large and small events

The Guideline focuses on risk. For example, the size and complexity of an event relate to its risk level, with larger events tending to be higher risk. A considerable amount of information in the guidelines is relevant to major events and concerts. However, the document has been arranged so that for smaller, lower risk events the relevant requirements can be easily defined.

Examples of events covered by the guidelines:

Type of event (example) Definition 
 Electronic dance music festival  A rave party that is typically an all-night dance event where DJs and other performers play electronic dance music. 
 Sporting events  A professional or community event, usually attracting spectators where the focus is on observing individuals or teams who participate in sports
 Concerts  A concert is a performance of musical entertainment.
 *Large capacity event  An event is classified as large if more than 5,000 patrons attend.
 *Medium capacity event  An event is classified as medium if 2,000 – 5,000 patrons attend.
 *Small capacity event  An event is classified as small if less than 2,000 patrons attend. 

*Not to be confused with high, medium or low risk events


Feedback
You can provide feedback on this Guideline at any stage by emailing public.events@health.wa.gov.au. 
Last reviewed: 13-12-2022
Produced by

Environmental Health Directorate

wa.gov.au