When you’re organising an outdoor event, amenities should be one of the first things you lock in. Some are required by law, like toilets and handwashing stations. Others, like showers or adequate lighting, are expected by your guests (especially at larger or multi-day events).

Without proper facilities in place, you risk complaints, safety issues, and even forced shutdowns.

This checklist covers the essentials every event organiser needs to consider. It’s a practical guide to help you meet compliance, support your team, and deliver a better experience for everyone on site.

Portable Toilets are Non-Negotiable

 

Every outdoor event must provide toilets. It’s a legal requirement, and the numbers aren’t a guess. Health regulations specify how many units are needed based on guest attendance, event duration, and whether alcohol is served.

To help you get a solid baseline for how many toilets your event may need, use our Toilet Hire Calculator.

In terms of what toilet to choose, here’s a quick guide to help you choose.

For Small Events (under 100 people)

A few Five Star Event Chemical Toilets are often enough. These compact, self-contained units are easy to place and service, and ideal for private functions, community events, or club days.

For Medium to Large Events (100+ people or high traffic)

Upgrade to a Toilet Block like our Five Star Streamline 16-Pan Toilet Block. These reduce queues, provide separate male/female facilities, and connect directly to sewer if available.

For All Events

You must provide accessible options. Our Five Star Disabled Accessible Ablutions are AS1428.1 compliant and include generous space, grab rails, and built-in shower and hand basin. These are suitable for guests with disabilities, elderly patrons, or NDIS participants.

Handwashing & Hygiene Stations

Toilets alone aren’t enough. All outdoor events must include proper handwashing or sanitising facilities, especially where food is served or large crowds are expected. This is both a public health requirement and a key part of keeping your event clean and safe.

Although our portable toilets come fitted with handwashing basins and sanitiser dispensers, it never hurts to go further. Extra hygiene stations placed outside help manage foot traffic, reduce queues, and ensure your site exceeds compliance.

We recommend that you place hygiene stations near all toilet areas, food vendors, and high-traffic entry points.

For choices, here’s what to consider.

Standard Setups

Our Five Star Portable Handwashing Station is a freestanding, foot-operated sink that encourages hands-free hygiene and reduces cross-contamination.

Hot Water or Food Service Areas

The Five Star Super Stallette Hot Wash Station provides warm water and soap, which is perfect for food prep zones or compliance with food safety regulations.

Extra Sanitation Points

Add Hand Sanitiser Stands across your event site. These are quick to deploy and help reduce queues at handwashing stations.

Accessible Amenities Must be Compliant

 

If your event is open to the public, takes place on council land, or requires approval, you’ll likely need to provide at least one toilet that meets AS1428.1 accessibility standards. This is part of complying with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and most local council event permit conditions.

Accessible facilities support guests who use mobility aids or require extra space and assistance. They must include grab rails, ground-level access, and enough internal space for safe use.

To meet this legal requirement, we recommend:

• Five Star Event Disabled Toilet
  • A standalone, AS1428.1-compliant unit with wide access, grab rails, and clear turning space. Suitable for small to mid-size events needing a compact, compliant option.

• Five Star Disabled Accessible Ablution
  • A large, fully self-contained toilet and shower facility. Includes fold-down shower seat, hand basin, grab rails, non-slip flooring and optional ramp. Perfect for multi-day events, remote sites or where carer access is required.

Even if not strictly required, including accessible toilets shows your event is inclusive and well-prepared — and may be a condition of venue or insurance approval.

Showers for Multi-Day or Onsite Accommodation

If your event runs for more than one day, includes camping, or involves onsite crew working long shifts, showers should be included in your amenities plan. They’re also a key consideration for sporting events, outdoor festivals, and remote projects where hygiene access is expected.

We offer several shower units designed for fast deployment and easy servicing:

• NeoLav Shower – Classic
  • A compact, self-contained cubicle with hot and cold water connections, non-slip flooring, internal lighting, and lockable access. Ideal for medium-sized events or temporary sites.

• Five Star Mobile Shower
  • Trailer-mounted unit for mobile or remote setups. Great for fast-moving events or off-grid locations.

• Six Star VIP Ensuite
  • A premium toilet and shower combination with high-end finishes, mirror, lighting and basin. Designed for VIP areas, private events, or weddings where presentation matters.

Urinals & Waste Tanks for High-Volume Events

For larger events or peak-time use, urinals and waste tanks help keep everything running smoothly. They reduce pressure on standard toilet cubicles, minimise wait times, and cut down on servicing needs.

Consider these high-capacity solutions:

• Five Star Men’s Urinal Building
  • A purpose-built, multi-bay urinal facility ideal for high-traffic zones. Perfect for festivals, sporting events, and large venues where faster flow and reduced congestion are critical.

• 4000L Waste Tank
  • Designed for sites without sewer access. Connects to toilet blocks or ablutions for extra capacity. Helps avoid overflows, cuts down on servicing frequency, and keeps everything running cleanly.

Urinals and tanks are often overlooked, but they make a noticeable difference when it comes to guest flow, cleanliness, and site efficiency.

Drinking Water & Hydration Access

Every event site needs to provide access to clean drinking water. This is especially important during warmer months, at events with alcohol service, or where guests are onsite for extended periods.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Set up dedicated hydration stations at key points across the site (entry areas, food zones, and anywhere people are likely to gather).
• Make sure water points are clearly signed and easy to access.
• If your event is in a remote location, factor in tank storage and pumping equipment to ensure consistent supply throughout the day.

Lighting for Safety & Visibility

If your event runs into the evening or through the night, lighting becomes essential due to safety needs.

Some of our amenities come fitted with external lighting, like the Five Star Streamline 16-Pan Toilet Block, which includes an LED light to help guests safely locate and use the unit after dark. These are useful for toilets, showers, and key service areas.

That said, most event sites will also need additional lighting, such as:

• Floodlights or portable towers for general visibility
• Pathway lighting for direction and crowd movement
• Emergency lighting for first aid tents, exits, and security zones

Plan lighting coverage based on the time and layout of your event. Even in early evening conditions, poor visibility can lead to accidents, missed signage, or confused guests.

Waste Disposal & Cleaning Services

Waste management is one of the most important (and most overlooked) parts of event planning. Without a clear plan in place, you risk overflowing toilets, bad smells, and an unclean site by midday.

At Instant Toilets & Showers, we offer a full range of on-site waste services, including:

• Liquid waste removal

• • Our team handles pump-outs during and after your event to prevent overflow or odour issues.

• Toilet and shower servicing

• • We clean and restock units as needed to keep them hygienic and guest-ready throughout the event.

• Waste tank management

• • For sites using waste tanks, we can manage storage, pump scheduling, and connections to make sure your setup runs without disruption.

Additionally, you’ll still need to arrange bins for rubbish, recycling, and food waste. Position them near toilets, food vendors, and common areas to help guests keep the site clean.

With a full servicing plan in place, you can stay ahead of issues and deliver a better experience for everyone on site.

Delivery Access & Site Setup

Even with the right amenities booked, your event can run into issues if the site isn’t prepared for delivery, installation, or servicing. Poor access, uneven ground, or unclear setup plans often cause delays or damage equipment.

Make sure you have a plan in place for:

• Site access

• • Ensure trucks and service vehicles can reach the drop-off point without obstruction. Allow for turning space and load/unload clearance.

• Flat, stable ground

• • Toilets, showers, and tanks need level surfaces to operate safely. Avoid sandy patches, slopes, or soft ground where units might shift.

• Utility connections

• • For units that require power or water, check for nearby access or confirm you’ve arranged external supply. We’ll guide you through this if you’re unsure.

• Setup and bump-out timings

• • We coordinate delivery, installation and removal based on your event schedule — and offer full servicing throughout if needed.

Instant Toilets & Showers handles transport, install, and pack-down in-house, so you’re not left chasing multiple contractors or managing it solo on event day.

Get Your Amenities Right From the Start

Planning your amenities properly is one of the simplest ways to avoid problems on event day. Use this checklist as your starting point, and if you’re unsure what your site needs, we’re here to help.

Explore our full range of portable sanitation products available for hire or get in touch for a tailored event hire package.