Which authority you deal with
| Where the crane sits | Authority / permit |
|---|---|
| Road, footpath or laneway in the City of Melbourne (CBD, Docklands, Southbank, Carlton etc.) | City of Melbourne: permit to occupy public space |
| Council land in Greater Dandenong | Greater Dandenong: Occupation of Road permit (generally 24 hours) |
| Council land in Hume (Campbellfield, Broadmeadows etc.) | Hume: permit for a heavy or long vehicle, including a mobile crane, jib or stabilising legs |
| Freeway or arterial road | VicRoads (coordinating road authority) |
Sources: City of Melbourne, "Use a crane in public space"; Greater Dandenong Council, "Road closures or operation of mobile crane"; Hume City Council permit listing (Business.gov.au ABLIS); VicRoads, "Working within the road reserve". All checked 27 October 2026. Other councils have their own permits, so check with the council for your site.
City of Melbourne: steps and fees
- Apply early: City of Melbourne says a permit to occupy public space can take up to 10 business days.
- Traffic Management Plan: prepared by a qualified traffic management practitioner and lodged with the application.
- Insurance: a certificate of currency for at least $20 million public liability.
- Ground loads: if the crane exceeds Council's surface load limits, a structural engineer's ground assessment is needed.
- Neighbours: after-hours or disruptive work needs written notice to affected occupiers.
| City of Melbourne fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application | $120.80 |
| Space occupation | $2.50 per m² per day |
| Out of hours | $4.90 per day |
| Amendment | $57.20 |
Source: City of Melbourne, "Use a crane in public space", checked 27 October 2026. Tower cranes that swing over public space are approved through a Construction Management Plan instead.
What usually sits with the operator
Crane operators and traffic management providers often lodge the permit and Traffic Management Plan as part of the job. Ask about it when you get your quote. The site details you send with your request help them check it early.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to put a crane on the street in Melbourne?
Usually, yes, if the crane, its outriggers or the lift zone occupies a road, footpath or laneway. In the City of Melbourne it is a permit to occupy public space. Greater Dandenong issues an Occupation of Road permit, and Hume lists a heavy or long vehicle permit that includes mobile cranes. On arterial roads, VicRoads is the coordinating road authority.
How long does a City of Melbourne crane permit take?
City of Melbourne says it can take up to 10 business days to process, so apply as soon as you can.
How much does a City of Melbourne crane permit cost?
As listed when checked on 27 October 2026: $120.80 application fee, $2.50 per square metre per day for space occupied, and $4.90 per day out of hours. Traffic management and insurance are separate costs.
Crane hire services
Permits differ by council. For local crane hire see Dandenong crane hire (Greater Dandenong), Campbellfield crane hire (Hume) and city crane hire (City of Melbourne).