Temporary Structure Permit Requirements

What This Requirement Covers

Temporary structure permit requirements govern the design, erection, use and removal of buildings and assemblies that are not permanent but are intended to be used for public or private events, worksites, or other short-term occupancies. These provisions exist to protect life safety, structural safety and public amenity by ensuring temporary structures provide safe means of access and egress, adequate structural resistance to foreseeable loads, appropriate fire safety measures, sanitary facilities, and disability access where required. Temporary structures include tents, marquees, temporary seating stands, booths, stages, and other enclosures described as temporary by the relevant State or Territory building legislation.

These requirements apply to designers, builders, event organisers, owners and occupiers who propose to install or use temporary structures in Australia. The National Construction Code (NCC) includes nationally applicable performance requirements and several state schedules and parts that set out deemed-to-satisfy provisions for temporary structures used as places of public assembly or entertainment. Australian Standards and other referenced technical standards (for example relating to structural design, anchorage, and disabled access) are commonly cited as the acceptable solutions to meet the NCC performance requirements.

Key Requirements

1. Definition: A temporary structure is commonly defined in the NCC and State building Acts to include booths, tents, temporary seating structures, or other temporary enclosures (see Schedule 1 definitions in NCC Volume One and Volume Two).
2. Safety and serviceability: A temporary structure must be capable of sustaining, at an acceptable level of safety and serviceability, the most adverse combination of loads and actions reasonably expected (NCC 2022 Volume One, TAS I18P2 - Safety and serviceability).
3. Structural design and wind loads:
4. Design must address wind actions, crowd loads and relevant combinations consistent with the structural design clauses of the NCC and the relevant Australian Standards for structural timber and steel as applicable (for example in accordance with AS 4100 for steelwork and AS 1684 where timber framing principles are applied).
5. Anchorage and foundations must resist uplift and sliding from wind. Where anchors into ground are used, design capacities (kN) must reflect site conditions and expected wind pressure (refer to project-specific engineer calculations rather than blanket values).
6. Exits and egress widths (where temporary structure is used as an entertainment venue):
7. Provide the number of exits and aggregate exit widths per occupant numbers as specified in state provisions (for example NSW Table I5D4 in NCC Volume One, Part I5: Temporary structures - Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions):
8. 1-25 persons: 1-2 exits, 1000 mm aggregate width
9. 26-50: 2 exits, 1500 mm aggregate width
10. 51-75: 2 exits, 2000 mm aggregate width
11. 76-100: 2 exits, 2500 mm aggregate width
12. 101-200: 2 exits, 3000 mm aggregate width
13. 201-400: 3 exits, 4500 mm aggregate width
14. 401-600: 4 exits, 6000 mm aggregate width
15. 601-800: 5 exits, 7500 mm aggregate width
16. 801-1000: 5 exits, 9000 mm aggregate width

(See NCC 2022 Volume One, NSW Part I5, Table I5D4.)

1. Means of egress and exits: Exits must be arranged to afford a ready means of egress from all parts of the temporary structure and comply with relevant egress provisions in the NCC (see TAS I18P5 Exits and corresponding state parts and tables in NCC Volume One).
2. Access and disability provisions:
3. Where a temporary structure is used by the public, continuous accessible paths and access to sanitary facilities must be provided as required (NCC 2022 Volume One, TAS I18D3 and TAS I18P4).
4. Fixed seating provisions: wheelchair spaces must be provided where fixed seating is provided - for example, Tasmania specifies 1 wheelchair space for up to 100 seats, 2 for 100-200, plus one additional for each additional 200 seats or part thereof (TAS I18D3(3)).
5. Accessible parts must comply with AS 1428.1 where referenced (see TAS I18D3(4)).
6. Fire safety and materials:
7. Materials used must limit the spread of fire, smoke and toxic gases to the degree necessary (NCC 2022 Volume One, TAS I18P3 Resistance to the spread of fire).
8. Temporary structures commonly adopt the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard or relevant state Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions for fire separation, exit signage, lighting and emergency lighting where required.
9. Lighting and ventilation: Enclosed temporary structures must be provided with natural or artificial lighting and adequate ventilation as required by state Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions (see TAS I18D4 Lighting and TAS I18D5 Ventilation references in NCC Volume One state schedule for Tasmania).
10. Occupant numbers and sizing: Occupant load calculations should be performed in accordance with NCC occupant load factors for the relevant use (assembly, retail, food premises etc.) to size exits, paths and sanitary facilities.
11. Sanitary facilities: Where a temporary structure is used by the public, sanitary facilities must be provided in accordance with the sanitary facility provisions referenced by the NCC or the relevant state schedule. If inaccessible on-site permanent facilities exist, temporary arrangements must still meet health and access requirements set by the state schedule.
12. Referenced standards (examples where commonly applied):
13. NCC 2022 Volume One and Volume Two (various Parts and state schedules such as NSW Part I5 and TAS I18)
14. ABCB Temporary Structures Standard (referenced in certain state schedules as a Deemed-to-Satisfy solution)
15. AS 4100 - Steel structures (where steel frames or connections are used)
16. AS 1684 - Residential timber framing (where timber members and framing systems are used)
17. AS 1428.1 - Design for access and mobility (access for people with disability)
18. Other event- and tent-specific standards as referenced by state schedules or the ABCB guidance

Residential vs Commercial

1. Residential (Class 1 and Class 10):
2. Typical domestic situations with small temporary structures (for example small garden sheds, temporary carports, or private-use marquees entirely within private property and not open to the public) may be treated differently under local building regulations. Many small temporary structures may be regulated as Class 10a or be exempt from building permits depending on size, duration and local council rules. However, if they are for public use or constitute an assembly, NCC temporary structure rules will apply.
3. Where a temporary structure is erected on a residential site for private family use and is small and short-term, state and local exemptions may apply; check the local building authority. Structural safety, anchorage and hazard avoidance remain the user’s responsibility and designers should still follow relevant standards such as AS 1684 for timber framing where applicable.
4. Commercial / Public Assembly (Class 2-9):
5. Commercial and public assembly temporary structures are subject to the full set of NCC requirements for temporary structures, including egress sizing, fire safety, disability access and the specific state Deemed-to-Satisfy parts (for example NSW Part I5 or TAS I18). The occupant load thresholds, exit widths and number of exits in those tables directly apply and must be used to design egress systems.
6. When used for an entertainment venue or where the public are admitted, the strict egress and occupant protection provisions apply and professional design and certification are typically required.

Exceptions and Exemptions

1. Small private temporary structures: Local councils and state building Acts commonly exempt small, short-duration private structures from requiring a building permit. These exemptions vary by state and by local government area and should be checked with the permit authority.
2. Temporary duration exclusions: Some state provisions limit the application of the temporary structures Part to structures used for specified short periods or events. For example, certain Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions apply only when the structure is used as a place of public assembly or entertainment (see NSW I5D1 and TAS I18P1 which apply when used as a place of assembly).
3. Alternative solutions: The NCC performance requirements may be satisfied by an alternative solution that departs from Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions where the alternative solution can be shown to meet the performance criteria. Alternative solutions often require engineering evidence and certification by a suitably qualified professional.
4. State-specific waivers: States may adopt the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard as their Deemed-to-Satisfy solution but can add or withhold provisions. Check the state schedules in NCC Volume One for exact applicability and any carve-outs.

State and Territory Variations

1. The NCC contains state and territory schedules that modify or supplement the national provisions for temporary structures. Common examples include:
2. New South Wales: NSW Part I5 in NCC Volume One contains Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions for temporary structures used as entertainment venues, including the specific exit numbers and aggregate exit widths shown in NSW Table I5D4 (see NCC 2022 Volume One, NSW I5D1 - I5D4).
3. Tasmania: TAS I18 in NCC Volume One provides an expanded set of performance and Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions for temporary structures including access, exits, lighting, ventilation, electrical and heating appliance requirements (see NCC 2022 Volume One, TAS I18P1 - I18P5 and TAS I18D2 - I18D7). Tasmania explicitly references the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard as a Deemed-to-Satisfy solution for many elements.
4. Other states and territories: Several jurisdictions adopt similar temporary structure provisions in their parts or rely on local government regulations and the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard. Always check the applicable state schedule in NCC 2022 Volume One (Schedules 4-12) and confirm local council requirements, permits, road closures and event licensing where relevant.

Practical Compliance Tips

1. Engage a structural engineer for any temporary structure over small domestic size or where occupant load, wind exposure, or anchorage is uncertain. Engineer-signed drawings and calculations can be required by the permit authority.
2. Always calculate occupant loads and egress widths from the relevant NCC tables or state-specific tables (for example NSW Table I5D4) before selecting exits and door sizes. Do not rely on rule-of-thumb exit sizing.
3. Check local council and state permit rules early. Many local authorities require event permits, temporary traffic management plans and proof of public liability insurance in addition to any building permit or certification.
4. Provide accessible routes and wheelchair spaces when the public will use the temporary structure. Use AS 1428.1 for accessible design and follow the wheelchair space ratios specified in state provisions (for example TAS I18D3(3)).
5. Use fire-safe materials and document compliance with the NCC performance requirements or the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard. Where temporary seating or stages are used, ensure materials and layout do not impede egress or firefighting access.
6. Anchor and ballast systems must be designed for site-specific wind actions. Portable anchors and pegs are not adequate for larger structures in exposed sites; obtain geotechnical or engineering guidance for pull-out capacities and uplift resistance.
7. Keep all documentation on-site during the event - including structural calculations, anchorage details, egress diagrams, and relevant certificates. Inspect and log anchorage and structural connections before each event opening.

Citations and references in this article refer to the National Construction Code 2022 (NCC 2022 Volume One and Volume Two) state schedules (for example NSW Part I5 and TAS I18), and commonly referenced Australian Standards including AS 4100, AS 1684 and AS 1428.1. Always confirm state schedule variations in NCC Volume One and check local permit authority requirements before erection of any temporary structure.