Do I Need a Permit to Film in Australia?
In most cases — yes. Especially if your shoot involves public streets, footpaths, parks, heritage buildings or creates any public disruption.
Each local council sets their own rules. Some offer online forms and 48-hour approval. Others need hardcopy submissions, location diagrams and up to 6 weeks' notice.
We’ve built an internal database of these differences across Queensland and New South Wales, so we can advise clients up front.
Public vs Private Property: The Grey Zone
If your shoot is on private property but still visible to or impacting the public — you may still need approval.
We once filmed a simple café interview where parking our equipment van triggered council notification requirements. These small compliance details can escalate into real-time production delays.
Permit Fees and Budgeting
Permit fees range from $0 to several thousand dollars, depending on:
- Crew size
- Equipment (especially drones and lighting)
- Road or pedestrian impact
- Number of shoot days
We always include permit estimates as a budget line item. It’s better to be over-prepared than explaining hold-ups on the day.
Compliance is Creative
Permits and permissions aren’t just legal checkboxes — they’re creative constraints.
If your concept involves a drone flyover or a city streetscape, and we can’t get approval in time, it can affect the whole project.
That’s why we start compliance planning during pre-production, not after location scouting.
Common Questions We Get
Q: What’s the turnaround time for a council permit?
A: It varies by location. In Brisbane, it can be as quick as 3–5 days. In some regional areas, up to 4–6 weeks.
Q: Do you handle permits for us?
A: Yes — we handle all applications, insurance documents, and traffic impact statements, if required.
Q: What about drone filming?
A: We check CASA regulations and local council rules. Not all areas allow drone use, even with a licensed operator.
Final Tips for Clients
- Start the permit conversation early
- Ask if your shoot location requires council approval
- Always allow buffer time
- Treat compliance as part of your creative plan
Suggested Visuals:
- Flowchart: “Do I need a permit?”
- Map: Council permit lead times by region
- Screenshots: Sample permit application or compliance checklist
- Video: “3 permit mistakes to avoid on your next shoot”
