Hosting Event External Resource
Sunshine Coast is one of the leading Major Event and Tourism destinations in Australia with an abundance of natural and man-made assets that make the backdrop to your event noticeable worldwide.
Sunshine Coast is one of the leading Major Event and Tourism destinations in Australia with an abundance of natural and man-made assets that make the backdrop to your event noticeable worldwide. With hosting events in our region, it is important to ensure our event organisers are equipped to deliver at a high standard and meet all stakeholder obligations and the more time you spend planning and lodging permits the better the event.
Sunshine Coast Council Major Events Permits
Our Sunshine Coast Council Permits team work around the clock on permits from small community events to large scale mass participation events. To ensure your event receives it permit there are a few important items to consider:
- For any large scale Major Events, permits must be submitted Six months in advance from their event date
- For events of a small scale are required to submit their permit 2 months in advance from their event date
- Ensure the permit and plan that is submitted is your final plan as every change requires the stakeholder group to review delaying your permit
Queensland Police Service
Queensland Police Service are here to support your Major event, to help navigate the best practices QPS have created an Event Safe - https://www.police.qld.gov.au/initiatives/event-safe
Updated schedule of fees for QPS Police Specials
QPS Police Specials service rates have changed as per the below Fee structure as of 1 January 2026. Please check with QPS so as to not be ‘responsible’ for any errors or omissions.
| Category | Description | Fee |
| Special Services | Police escorts, wide load escorts, road works traffic direction | $175.80 per hr, per officer |
| Police escorts, wide load escorts, road works traffic direction — public holiday | $351.60 per hr, per officer | |
| Cancellation fee | $206.25 | |
| Mileage Rates | Police vehicles – per kilometre | $1.22 per km, per vehicle |
| Motorcycles – per kilometre | $0.45 per km, per motorcycle | |
| Vessels: Outboard motor – less than 15 horsepower – per hour | $25.35 per hr | |
| Outboard motor – not more than 50 horsepower – per hour | $65.05 per hr | |
| Outboard motor – more than 50 horsepower – per hour | $239.20 per hr | |
| Diesel inboard power – per hour | $384.80 per hr | |
| Horse – per hour | $9.70 per hr, per horse | |
| Stationary Vehicles | Police vehicles and motorcycles – per hour | $32.00 per hr |
Contact QPS
Need to obtain advice as to your event and any specific QPS requirements , you can touch base with them via email to SCD.MajorEvents@police.qld.gov.au
Other useful resources:
Australian National Security - Crowded places (nationalsecurity.gov.au)
Department of Transport and Main Roads
If you are organising a special event in Queensland, such as a sporting or community event, you should first refer to the Queensland Government's Events in Queensland handbook - Best practice guidelines for event delivery in Queensland. This outlines the guiding principles for event organisers interacting with the Queensland Government to enable them to successfully plan and manage an event. For information about managing events in Queensland and access to this guide, please visit Help with running special events.
Depending on the size, location and impact of your event, you may identify several stakeholders such as local council, landowners and Queensland government agencies which you may need to contact to discuss your event and requirements.
To run a special event in Queensland, organisers must obtain written approval from the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the public or private authorities responsible for the roads the event will use.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has published guidelines on traffic control measures and devices used to warn, instruct and guide road users for all types of events. Read the Event Traffic Management Design Guidelines (PDF, 2.6MB) for information.
For all your information requirements for DTMR head to Traffic management at special events (Department of Transport and Main Roads)