​​Summary

The Guidelines for Music Festival Event Organisers: Music Festival Harm Reduction have been written to support event organisers to deliver safer music festivals. NSW Health will use the guidelines to assess festival event plans, including the safety management plan for subject music festivals under the Music Festivals Act 2019.

Version changes

The 2023 version of the Guidelines now includes:

  • reference to “subject” music festivals in place of what were previously referred to as “high-risk” music festivals
  • updated data on substance use at music festivals
  • more detailed information about medical and harm reduction requirements for subject music festivals
  • updated information about arranging transfer of seriously unwell patients to hospital
  • new recommendations to support heat, shade, and cooling measures for music festival patrons, harm reduction services and onsite medical services
  • updated information on the roles and responsibilities of peer-based harm reduction service providers at NSW music festivals and
  • new requirements for music festival organisers to comply with any Public Health Orders that may be in effect at the time of an event
  • new requirements for subject music festivals to deliver approved harm reduction messaging to patrons.​​
File Link: Guidelines for music festival event organisers: Music festival harm reduction
File Size: 1401 kb
Type: Guideline
Date of Publication: 16 October 2023
Author: Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs
ISBN: 978-1-76023-582-6
SHPN: (CAOD) 230514
Current as at: Monday 16 October 2023