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                    Filming permits

                    If you are conducting filming or undertaking a photo shoot within any of City of Melbourne’s public open spaces you may require a filming permit. Permits ensure that activities are conducted in accordance with our safety and amenity regulations.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​While also considering time sensitive and privately managed locations outlined below​, you will need a filming permit from City of Melbourne if one or more of the following conditions apply:

                    • Your filming activity inclusive of all production crew and talent consists of more than six people.
                    • Your infrastructure exceeds one camera, one tripod and handheld sound recording equipment.
                    • You intend to block a public footpath or road leaving less than 2.5 metres of pedestrian thoroughfare at any time.
                    • You intend to implement pedestrian or traffic management.
                    • Your activities will disrupt the city’s stakeholders (traders, residents and businesses) or motorists or other events in the vicinity of the activities.
                    • You require vehicle access to a location.
                    • You wish to film with a remote piloted aircraft (RPA) / drone – refer to the guidelines below.

                    If your filming does not involve any of the above, it is considered to be ‘low impact’ and you are not required to notify City of Melbourne.

                    Please note that you must submit a Police Notification Form to Victoria Police if your filming involves the use of firearms, weapons, special effects, UAVs, traffic management, mock police scenes or scenes that may cause public concern. In addition to this, filming equipment should never be placed hard up against any City of Melbourne street furniture, infrastructure or assets including trees, shrubbery and garden beds.​

                    Applications for filming between Friday 22 December 2023 and Wednesday 10 January 2024 closed at 9am on Wednesday 13 December 2023.

                    For filming from Thursday 11 January 2024 onwards, applications open at 9am on Thursday 4 January 2024. Standard timeframes apply.

                    A filming permit is required for all filming activity that exceeds “low impact” as outlined on our website.

                    Time-sensitive and privately managed locations

                    Time-sensitive locations

                    There are a number of time-sensitive locations through the city. Filming is not permitted at these locations during the times specified below.​

                    ​Location​Times when filming is not permitted
                    ​Exterior pathways of CBD train stations
                    7am to 9.30am and 4.30pm to 6.30pm
                    ​Flinders Lane (between Swanston Street and Elizabeth Street)
                    Midday to 2.30pm
                    ​Campbell Arcade
                    7am to 9.30am and 4.30pm to 6.30pm
                    ​Bourke Street Mall
                    Midday to 2.30pm
                    ​Tan Track
                    7am to 9.30am and 4.30pm to 6.30pm
                    ​Southbank Promenade
                    7am to 9.30am, midday to 2.30pm and 4.30pm to 6.30pm
                    ​Swanston Street
                    Midday to 2.30pm
                    ​Degraves Street
                    7am to 9.30am, midday to 2.30pm and 4.30pm to 6.30pm
                    ​Princes Bridge
                    7am to 9.30am and 5pm to 6.30pm
                    ​Centre Place
                    Midday to 2.30pm
                    ​Webb Bridge
                    7am to 9.30am and 4.30pm to 6.30pm

                    Privately managed locations

                    For filming within privately managed locations, permissions must be sought from the relevant approval authority. 

                    Below is a non-exhaustive list of popular locations within the City of Melbourne that are privately managed; if you wish to film at these locations please contact them directly.

                    For any queries regarding the management of a location you can contact our filming officer for assistance.

                    Use of a remote piloted aircraft (RPA) or drone

                    A permit is required from City of Melbourne before any RPA/drone activity is allowed to take place within or above the municipality’s public open space.

                    The following RPA/Drone Guidelines will assist operators to understand their requirements and the permit process involved to approve this type of activity within City of Melbourne’s public open space.

                    Public liability insurance

                    City of Melbourne recommends all persons conducting filming or photography in public space hold $20 million of public liability insurance​.

                    City of Melbourne filming guide

                    City of Melbourne has a filming guide to assist filming applicants in submitting information relevant to their production or shoot. The filming guide gives an overview of the filming permit process and includes helpful information relevant to filming and photography.  

                    Applying for a permit

                    When to apply

                    All applications not considered low impact must be received at least five full business days in advance, with seven business days' notice required if the filming activity involves traffic management.

                    Please note that some areas may require longer notice depending on the sensitivity of the location.

                    What you'll need

                    Before you begin your online application, you will need to ensure that you have:

                    • full details of the location(s) required and estimated times of the proposed filming
                    • full contact details of all involved
                    • running sheet
                    • details of any pedestrian management, safety or traffic management plans
                    • site plans
                    • communication (stakeholder notification) plans
                    • a copy of your public liability insurance for a minimum sum of $20 million.

                    Please note that submission of an application form does not constitute approval for filming. You will be contacted within three working days with details of further information required to complete your application.

                    A permit will be issued only when all information has been received and processed.

                    Please read the filming terms and conditions before applying for a filming permit.

                    Filming permit fees

                    Fees apply for use of public space for filming or still photography.

                    All filming permit applications will incur an application and duration fee, plus a unit base fee where applicable.

                    Application fee:

                    • $64

                    Filming / photography duration (applicable to all locations):

                    • per hour: $324
                    • up to four hours, per day: $776
                    • four plus hours, per day: $1553

                    Unit base fee:

                    • per site and day: $646
                    • students: $0

                    (GST inclusive)

                    The Conservatory – Fitzroy Gardens can only be booked outside of public opening hours, 9am to 5.30pm:

                    • 1.5 hours: $584
                    • 3 hours: $1170

                    (GST inclusive)

                    Fees are effective from 1 July 2023.

                    Students and community or not-for-profit groups may be eligible for a full permit fee waiver.

                    Payment must be received by 4pm, two business days prior to your filming activity. Payments can be made online. To pay your invoice online, you will need to provide the reference number available on your invoice.

                    There is a fee associated with temporary business parking permits. For more information and an online application form see Reserve a parking bay.

                    Terms and conditions

                    Download the conditions that apply to permit holders. These terms and conditions are subject to change:

                    Other permits and approvals you may require

                    ​Other permits and approvals may be required for your filming activity. 

                    Please ensure you are aware of time frames required to obtain any additional approvals.

                    • Reserved parking permits
                      The reserved parking scheme allows film crews to book parking bays within the City of Melbourne for their use.

                    • Victoria Police
                      Please note that you must submit a Police Notification Form to Victoria Police if your filming involves the use of firearms, weapons, special effects, UAVs, traffic management, mock police scenes or scenes that may cause public concern. You may also require Victoria Police to control traffic management when using specialist filming vehicles

                    • VicRoads
                      VicRoads must authorise the use of vehicle ‘camera mounts’ and/or ‘rigging shots’ as this effects the standards of registration. If you are planning to use any specialist filming vehicles please contact VicRoads to further discuss. 
                    • CASA
                      The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) provides general regulatory controls for the safety of air navigation throughout Australia. If you intend to fly your drone for or at work (commercially), there are extra rules you must follow. You may also need to register your drone and get a licence or accreditation.
                    • Parks Victoria
                      If you are planning to fly a drone over the Yarra River or any spaces Parks Victoria manage please apply for a filming permit. Please note they require 20 business days’ notice. 
                    • Public Transport Victoria (PTV)
                      If you are organising a filming activity which is likely to have an impact on public transport services, then you are required under Victorian legislation to notify Public Transport Victoria (PTV).
                    • WorkSafe​
                      For inspection and approvals of fireworks and some special effects. 

                    Frequently asked questions

                    Filming permit applications

                    Do I need a permit to undertake photography at a wedding?

                    A permit for wedding photos is not required. Wedding photos may be taken in the city’s parks and gardens free of charge unless a reserved space is required. Please note that a permit will be required, however, for wedding photography within the Fitzroy Gardens Conservatory.

                    Where can I park my filming vehicles?

                    ​Filming companies should conduct a parking bay audit of the designated site, to be submitted with the application. This should include:

                    • a detailed breakdown of essential vehicles (for example, registration number)
                    • specific date and time of filming or photo shoot, street name, and side of the road (north, south, east, west)
                    • closest property
                    • closest cross-intersection.

                    Please note that you are required to give at least five business days' notice when applying for parking permits. The City of Melbourne will then advise on the approved locations.

                    Vehicles are not permitted in our parks and gardens, except for the setting up and packing down of required infrastructure.

                    Do I need public liability insurance?

                    ​Yes. City of Melbourne must be fully indemnified against any claim laid against it, either by members of the public or persons engaged in any activities associated with the event who, as a result of the activities, suffer personal injury, property damage or financial loss. The applicant shall submit a Certificate of Currency to the value of at least $20 million for public liability cover that includes acceptance of liability for the proposed activity.

                    Which authorities should I notify?

                    ​When you complete the application form, where necessary, the following authorities may be automatically notified of the filming activity prior to it taking place:

                    • Victoria Police
                    • Yarra Trams
                    • Bus service providers
                    • Public Transport Victoria
                    • Victorian Taxi Association
                    • VicRoads.

                    Do I need to notify businesses and residents of the filming?

                    ​Yes. Pending approval of a permit, filming applicants are required to notify all businesses, residents and key stakeholders that may be affected by your activity. This should be done in writing, with a draft copy of the letter being approved by the City of Melbourne prior to distribution.


                    What does my site plan need to contain?

                    ​Your site plan should contain full details of all infrastructure to be used as part of the activity such as:

                    • track and dolly
                    • cranes
                    • scissor lifts
                    • lights
                    • pedestrian access
                    • toilets
                    • signage
                    • security
                    • electrical cables
                    • power outlets
                    • litter minimisation.

                    Do I need to submit a risk management plan?

                    ​Yes. A risk management plan must be submitted to council for all filming activities. It must include:

                    • identification of any risks
                    • measurement of the risks
                    • the proposed management of those risks.

                    Please ask your assigned filming officer to send you a copy of a risk management matrix in accordance with City of Melbourne and Australian standards.

                    The name and qualification of the safety officer on location also needs to be provided to the City of Melbourne. This is done through the application form.

                    Do I need approval for catering?

                    ​Any filming activity that involves catering in a public space requires a permit to ensure it complies with the requirements of Health Services.

                    Guidelines can be obtained from:

                    City of Melbourne
                    Health Services
                    PO Box 1603
                    Melbourne VIC 3001

                    Phone: 03 9658 9658
                    Email: health@melbourne.vic.gov.au

                    Do I need to provide a schedule of activities?

                    ​Yes. A full schedule or running sheet should be submitted that includes a chronological order of activity, including times, activity and responsible persons.

                    Do I need a location manager for filming?

                    ​Yes, unless your production is low impact, a location manager will be required for the purposes of sourcing and securing locations for filming, and providing an essential line of communication between the City of Melbourne and the production company.

                    Do I need to submit traffic and pedestrian management plans?

                    ​Yes, if your filming or photography activity affects any road or pedestrian access area, you will be required to develop and submit traffic and pedestrian management plans.

                    These plans must outline your objectives and strategies for managing the proposed activity, in accordance with Australian Standards, AS/NZS 4360:1999.

                    Do I need police assistance to 'block and hold' traffic?

                    ​Victoria Police wish to be advised of any filming that includes traffic management. This is done as part of the application process, and upon receiving your application, the need for police assistance will be assessed.

                    Traffic management must be conducted by VicRoads-accredited traffic controllers including all road closures and temporary block and holds.

                    How long can I 'block and hold' a road for?

                    ​The City of Melbourne requires that a block and hold of traffic should be no longer than three minutes per 15 minute block.

                    What do I do if some filming details change after I've been granted a permit?

                    ​You must contact the City of Melbourne immediately to ensure that this change does not impact any other activities that may be occurring in the area of filming. We will then confirm in writing whether the change has been approved or not. Please include a weather hold date within your initial application so we are able to incorporate this into your permit.

                    What happens if the location is requested by another applicant?

                    ​In situations where both activities cannot co-exist, the application submitted first will receive priority.

                    Can I move infrastructure in the parks and gardens?

                    ​All decisions relating to park infrastructure must be approved by the City of Melbourne as part of the permit process. Please ensure any requests of this nature are included within your application for consideration.

                    Contact us

                    Contact name
                    Event Operations team
                    Telephone number
                    03 9658 965803 9658 9658
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