We are committed to supporting a vibrant, thriving and professional film and television industry, whilst ensuring that a balance is maintained with the needs of our local city stakeholders.
When is a permit required?
You will need a permit for filming and photography if one or more of the following conditions apply:
- Your filming activity includes more than six people (including all production crew and talent).
- Your equipment 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 activity will disrupt traders, residents, businesses, motorists or other activations in the vicinity.
- You require vehicle access to a location.
- You intend to film with a remote piloted aircraft (RPA)/drone – refer to the RPA/drone guidelines below.
If your filming/photography does not involve any of these conditions, it is considered ‘low impact’ and you do not need to notify us or apply for a permit.
Please note:
- Some public places have restrictions on when filming can take place.
- To film in privately managed locations, you may require permission from the relevant authority/landowner.
- Depending on the nature of your filming, you may require additional permits and approvals.
Terms and conditions
Please read the terms and conditions before applying.
Apply for a permit
Applications must be submitted at least 5 full business days in advance of your planned filming activity, or 7 business days if traffic management is required. Sensitive locations may require additional notice. We reserve the right to decline an application if insufficient notice or information is provided.
Submitting a permit application form does not constitute approval for filming. Only once a permit has been issued is your activity approved to proceed.
Apply for a filming permit
Permit information and resources
Our filming guide provides an overview of the filming permit process, with guidance to help you complete an application and helpful information relevant to filming and photography in the City of Melbourne.
Certain public places have time restrictions. Filming is not permitted at the following locations at the times specified below.
| Locations | Time 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
If you are intending to use an RPA/drone for filming, you’ll need to meet additional requirements as part of your permit application.
Please read the following guidelines to understand the additional laws, restrictions and requirements for drone operators.
Depending on the nature and location of your activity, you may require additional permits or approvals from City of Melbourne or other authorities. Additional timeframes may apply.
- Reserved parking permits: Reserve parking bays to allow film crew vehicles to park near your filming location.
- Victoria Police:Opens in new tab Submit a Police Notification FormOpens in new tab if your filming or photography involves the use of firearms, weapons, special effects, RPAs, traffic management, mock police scenes or scenes that may cause public concern. Victoria Police may also assist with traffic management when using specialist filming vehicles.
- Department of Transport – VicRoadsOpens in new tab: If you are planning to use specialist filming vehicles, please contact VicRoads to discuss further.
- Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)Opens in new tab: If you intend to fly your RPA / drone commercially (for or at work). You may also need to register your droneOpens in new tab and get a licenceOpens in new tab or accreditationOpens in new tab with CASA.
- Parks Victoria:Opens in new tab permissions for use of a RPA / Drone over the Yarra River.
- Public Transport Victoria (PTV)Opens in new tab: Under state legislation, if your filming is likely to impact public transport, you’ll need to notify PTV.
- WorkSafe:Opens in new tab WorkSafe may need to inspect and approve the use of high-risk materials such as fireworks and special effects.
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.
- Arts Centre Melbourne Opens in new tabexterior plaza and Hamer Hall apron
- Block ArcadeOpens in new tab
- The Causeway
- Collins PlaceOpens in new tab
- Crown PromenadeOpens in new tab, Yarra Promenade (Southbank, between Queensbridge Street and Clarendon Street)
- Federation SquareOpens in new tab
- Government HouseOpens in new tab
- Exteriors of Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and South WharfOpens in new tab
- Melbourne and Olympic ParksOpens in new tab
- Northbank and Banana AlleyOpens in new tab
- North Wharf and Seafarers Rest – RiverleeOpens in new tab
- North Wharf Road – Places VictoriaOpens in new tab
- Parliament HouseOpens in new tab
- Princes WalkOpens in new tab
- QV MelbourneOpens in new tab
- Queen Victoria MarketOpens in new tab
- Regent Place
- Royal ArcadeOpens in new tab
- Royal Botanic GardensOpens in new tab
- Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne MuseumOpens in new tab
- Sidney Myer Music BowlOpens in new tab
- Southern Cross LaneOpens in new tab
- State Library of VictoriaOpens in new tab
- Train station interiors – Metro TrainsOpens in new tab
- Trams, super stops – Yarra TramsOpens in new tab
- Victoria Army BarracksOpens in new tab
All filming permit applications incur an application fee and duration fee, plus a unit base fee where applicable.
| Application fee | Filming / photography duration fee (applicable to all locations) | Unit base fee | The Conservatory – Fitzroy Gardens duration fee (only bookable outside of public opening hours, 9am to 5.30pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $66 | Per hour: $335 Up to 4 hours, per day: $803 4+ hours, per day: $1607 | Per site, per day: $669 | 1.5 hours: $605 3 hours: $1211 |
Please note:
- Fees are effective from 1 July 2024.
- Students and not-for-profit/community groups may be eligible for a full permit fee waiver.
- Payment must be received by 4pm, two business days before 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.
- Additional permits may incur additional fees.
FAQs
Wedding photos may be taken in the city’s parks and gardens free of charge unless a reserved space is required.
If the photography is within the Fitzroy Gardens Conservatory, a permit will be required as this space must be booked.
You must contact us immediately to ensure that the change does not impact any other activities that may be occurring in the area of filming. We will confirm in writing whether the change has been approved. Permit amendment fees apply.
Include a weather hold date within your application so we can incorporate this into your permit. We allow for one Wetherhold date per shoot. Shoots that are cancelled due to adverse weather are subject to our cancellation policy. Refer to our Terms and Conditions.
