A short-term licence is an authority granted by Crown lands which gives the holder permission to occupy and use Crown land for a prescribed purpose for a maximum term of 12 months.
A short-term licence does not provide exclusive use or possession of the land. Crown Lands may grant more than one licence over the same area, and the land may need to remain available for public use.
Permitted uses
Short-term licences may only be granted for the following prescribed purposes:
- Access through a reserve
- Advertising
- Camping
- Catering
- Community, training, or education
- Emergency occupation
- Entertainment
- Environmental protection or studies
- Equestrian events
- Exhibitions
- Filming
- Functions
- Hiring of equipment
- Holiday accommodation
- Markets
- Meetings
- Military exercises
- Mooring of boats
- Sales
- Shows
- Site investigations
- Sporting and recreational activities
- Stabling of horses
- Storage
Crown Lands does not issue short-term licences for grazing. You will need to apply for a grazing licence.
1A and 1B short-term licences
Short-term licence applications are classified as either 1A or 1B based on the nature, purpose, and impacts of the proposed activity.
1A licences
These are generally issued to volunteer or community groups, individuals, or emergency service organisations for non-commercial activities that provide community, environmental, or health benefits.
You do not have to pay an application fee or rent for a 1A short-term licence.
Key criteria considered
- Temporary/short-term occupation
- Minimal impact on existing public access
- Minimal liability costs
- No ongoing liability risks
- Aligns with the principles of Crown land management
- Does not compromise identified future use of Crown land
- Minimal physical impact to Crown land
- No significant detrimental change to surface
- Will not exist in perpetuity and require ongoing maintenance
1B licences
These are issued for activities that do not meet the 1A criteria. These are often commercial in nature or events where an entry fee is charged.
1B licences attract an application fee and rent.
Filming
We support the creative industries in NSW by making our diverse and scenic Crown land available to filmmakers and photographers wherever possible. We regulate film production to ensure these activities are carried out safely. It also ensures there is minimal disruption to local residents, businesses, and other Crown land users.
If you are planning to undertake any filming or still photography on Crown land, you will need a short-term licence. We recommend, you apply as early as possible before your proposed schedule.
How to apply
To ensure sufficient time to review your application, it should be lodged at least 2 months before your proposed start date.
Late applications may not be finalised before the required date.
Check eligibility
- Confirm your activity matches a permitted short-term use and is no longer than 12 months:
- If your proposed activity is not listed or is for more than 12 months, you will need to apply for a general licence.
- Confirm the area is Crown land:
- You can search online using the NSW Planning Portal Spatial Viewer.
- Identify if there is a Crown land manager:
- Use the Reserve Manager Portal to identify if there is a Crown land manager. Contact the Crown land manager prior to submitting this application. They can issue you a short term licence directly.
Applicant requirements
- Companies must be registered with an Australian Company Number (ACN) and Australian Business Number (ABN). You will need to provide a copy of a recent company extract listing officeholders and authorised signatories.
- Incorporated associations must provide a Certificate of Incorporation and minutes showing elected office bearers.
- Sole traders or partnerships must apply under their individual names.
Supporting documents
- An aerial image or site diagram indicating the proposed site location.
- A list of the Lot/DP numbers for the land that you want to licence. If the land is not surveyed and does not have a Lot/DP, please provide numbers for the adjacent lands.
- A detailed description of proposed works, activities, or events.
- Proposed dates of occupation or use, including any set-up and clean-up time.
- A Certificate of Currency for public liability insurance, covering the entire proposed licence period, with a coverage amount of $20 million. The insurance must be in the same name as the applicant or listed as an insured party.
We may also request:
- evidence of environmental or community benefits
- planning approval from council or other agencies
- other assessment documents.
What happens next
When you submit your application, you must complete the application form in full and submit all required documentation. We will return any applications with missing information for you to complete.
Fees
If your application is classified as a 1B short-term licence, you will need to pay an application fee. We will send you an invoice for the application fee once we start processing your application.
Application assessment
Applications are processed in the order they are received, unless exceptional circumstances apply. Assessment times may vary depending on the complexity of the application.
When assessing your application, we may be required to notify relevant parties of the proposed licence before making a final decision.
Assessment activities may include (but are not limited to):
- related policies and guidelines
- land assessment
- Aboriginal land claims
- native title
- site inspection
- requirements under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979
- valuation
- current land use and condition
- preparation of licence documents for execution.