What jumping castle hire involves
The hire business delivers the inflatable, sets it up on a flat, clear area, anchors it and connects the blower. On grass it is usually staked; on a hard surface it needs weights. The blower needs power, either a nearby outlet or a generator. At the end of the day it is deflated, rolled and collected.
What the safety regulator says
Each state has its own work health and safety regulator. As one example, WorkSafe Victoria says land-borne inflatables need to be adequately anchored, even when low winds are forecast, and should be deflated if the maximum rated wind speed is likely to be exceeded. It says the blower fans must be guarded and fenced off, and that monitoring and supervision should be done by people trained in operating the device (WorkSafe Victoria, land-borne inflatable amusement devices). Inflatables are covered by the Australian Standard AS 3533.4.1.
WorkSafe also urges anyone hiring rides or inflatables for an event to do their due diligence: an operator who cannot show safety procedures, a logbook and training records may not be a suitable choice (WorkSafe Victoria, November 2024).
In a park
Councils set their own rules for inflatables in parks and reserves, and they differ a lot: some need a permit, some ask for the operator's insurance and some do not allow jumping castles on council land at all. Our city guides link to each council's own page.
Jumping castle FAQs
How much space do I need?
It depends on the castle. Ask the hire business for its footprint plus the clear space it needs around it, and measure your area before you book.
What happens if it is too windy?
WorkSafe Victoria says an inflatable should be deflated if its maximum rated wind speed is likely to be exceeded. Ask the hire business what its wind limit is and what happens to your booking.
Who supervises it?
Ask before you book. Some hire businesses supply an operator and others expect you to supervise. WorkSafe Victoria says the people supervising should be trained in operating the device.
Does it need power?
Yes, the blower runs the whole time. Ask how far the castle can be from an outlet and whether the hire business brings leads or a generator.