We regulate music noise
EPA regulates music noise from indoor entertainment venues, outdoor entertainment venues and outdoor entertainment events.
We are responsible for making regulations and guidelines for controlling music noise from venues and other public places.
EPA can enforce the law, including noise limits, for music noise from entertainment venues and events. You can contact us directly to discuss music noise queries.
Police can direct indoor entertainment venues to immediately stop noise after midnight.
Other authorities – such as councils, and Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation – have their own laws for music noise from entertainment venues. Also, they can use the noise limits guidelines to help with their investigations. We can advise them on the best way to apply the noise limits and guidelines. We can also help them to measure the music noise.
We issue event permits
EPA is responsible for issuing event permits to make sure music noise from events will comply with the law.
We need to know more about your event so we can tell you what applies to you. Check with your local council or contact us.
We provide guidance to industry and community
EPA has published a comprehensive guidance series for business and community. The series explores how the environment protection framework (laws and regulations) apply to noise.
The series covers:
- how different sources of noise are regulated under the Environment Protection Act 2017 (for example, music noise vs industrial noise)
- how noise can be assessed (using qualitative ‘common sense’ assessment and quantitative technical measurements)
- how the different environment protection laws interact (the general environmental duty vs the duty not to emit unreasonable noise)
- examples of how you can comply with these laws and regulations
The series does not cover how residential noise is regulated under the Environment Protection Act 2017. For information visit, Residential noise.
Three parts of the series are relevant to music noise from entertainment venues:
Unreasonable noise guidelines
These guidelines explain the concept of unreasonable noise. This includes pathways for determining if noise is unreasonable, and how they work with the general environmental duty. It also includes case study examples of compliance, enforcement and resolution of noise pollution events. For information visit, Unreasonable noise guidelines.Entertainment venues and outdoor entertainment events music noise guidelines
These guidelines give a comprehensive explanation of how the Environment Protection Act 2017 (section 25, section 166 and section 168) and the Environment Protection Regulations 2021 (Part 5.3, Division 4) apply to noise from entertainment venues and outdoor entertainment events. For information, visit Entertainment venues and outdoor entertainment events music noise guidelines.
Permit guidelines for outdoor entertainment venues and events
These guidelines explain the permitting requirements for individuals and businesses who are planning musical entertainment at an outdoor entertainment venue or event. For information visit, Permit guidelines for outdoor entertainment venues and events.
More about music noise from venues and events
Reviewed 8 May 2023
