NSW Event Classifications: Understanding Traffic Management Requirements

September 2025

In New South Wales, events that impact local roads or traffic are classified by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) into four categories. These NSW event classifications determine the level of planning, permits, and traffic management required. Whether you are organising a major city festival, a community parade, or a local film shoot, knowing your event’s classification is essential to securing approvals and ensuring safe road use.

Class 1 – Major Impact Events

Class 1 events have a state or region-wide impact on traffic flow and require the most extensive planning.

Examples: City2Surf, Vivid Sydney, New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney.

What’s required:

  • Liaison with local council and NSW Police

  • A full Traffic Management Plan (TMP)

  • A Special Event Transport Management Plan

  • Formal lodgement to Transport for NSW

Planning Timeline: Minimum 4 months before the event.

Class 2 – Local Impact Events

Class 2 events mainly affect local traffic networks without broader state disruption.

Examples: Local fun runs, charity walks, town parades.

What’s required:

Planning Timeline: 1-2 months before the event

Class 3 – Minor Impact Events

Class 3 events have a low impact and usually affect only small sections of local roads.

Examples: School fetes, small street activations, minor community gatherings.

What’s required:

Planning Timeline: 3-6 months before the event

Class 4 – Minor Impact Events

Common for TV/film shoots using kerbside only

May require:


Planning Timeline: 1-2 weeks

In New South Wales, events that impact local roads or traffic are classified by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) into four categories.
Class 1 | City of Sydney New Years Eve Celebrations
CATO Safety services for TV and film productions in Australia
Class 4 | Filming Kerbside

Related News

In New South Wales, events that impact local roads or traffic are classified by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) into four categories.

NSW Event Classifications: Understanding Traffic Management Requirements

10 September 2025

In New South Wales, events that impact local roads or traffic are classified by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) into four categories. These NSW event classifications determine the level of planning, permits, and traffic management required. Whether you are organising a major city festival, a community parade, or a local film shoot, knowing your event’s classification is essential to securing approvals and ensuring safe road use.

Read More »
CATO traffic controller managing a London Crossing at the Sydney Marathon, holding a rope line with red flags to safely allow spectators to cross while thousands of runners continue along the course.

How CATO Group Delivered World-Class Traffic and Security Services for Sydney Marathon’s World Major Debut

2 September 2025

The Sydney Marathon made history in 2025, hosting 35,000 participants and welcoming more than 300,000 spectators to the city in what is now the largest marathon event in the Southern Hemisphere. As the event celebrated its first year as an Abbott World Major, CATO Group was proud to play a pivotal role in ensuring its success, delivering a seamless mix of traffic control, security services, and hostile vehicle mitigation solutions across the 42km course.

Read More »
CATO Location Services are proudly driving change in the film and TV as well as the construction industry with the introduction of two new EV vehicles. Driving sustainable change in the industry.

CATO’s First EV Fleet Has Hit The Streets

31 March 2025

Since achieving Carbon Neutral status, we’ve remained committed to sustainability, making strategic investments to future-proof our operations. Recently, we made meaningful strides in our sustainability journey with the introduction of two new Electric vehicles (EV)- another step in reducing emissions, cutting operational costs, and enhancing efficiency in transporting Traffic Management equipment across Sydney.

Read More »
Back to News

1800 841 500

8 Vincent Street
Marrickville NSW 2204

Instagram Facebook-f Linkedin
Contact Us