Sydney photography location licences

Posted on November 25, 2024   •  9 minutes  • 1850 words

Introduction to Filming and Photography in Iconic Sydney Locations

Sydney, with its breathtaking waterfronts, lush gardens, and vibrant urban landscapes, is a filmmaker’s and photographer’s paradise. From the architectural wonder of the Sydney Opera House to the lively Darling Harbour, the scenic Barangaroo precinct, and the lush Botanic Gardens, the city offers a variety of stunning backdrops for projects big and small.

Whether you’re producing a commercial, filming a TV show, or capturing family portraits, each location comes with specific guidelines to ensure a seamless experience while preserving the beauty of these spaces. This guide provides an overview of how to navigate the permitting processes for some of Sydney’s most iconic spots, including details on application requirements, fees, and important considerations for a successful shoot.

Placemaking NSW is dedicated to supporting and promoting the local, national, and international film, television, and photography industries by fostering a film-friendly environment.

Explore the opportunities each location offers and bring your creative vision to life in one of the world’s most photogenic cities.

City Of Sydney

Filming and Photography in the City of Sydney: A Guide

Want to capture the charm of Sydney for your next project? Filming or photographing on public land in the City of Sydney requires a permit. With a little planning, you can bring your creative vision to life in this vibrant city. Here’s what you need to know:

• Do You Need a Permit? If you’re filming on City of Sydney land (like parks, footpaths, or roads) for anything beyond personal use, you’ll need permission. Projects like commercials, TV programs, and student films typically require a permit, but casual wedding photos don’t.

• Choose Your Category: Permits and fees depend on your production’s size and impact:

  • Ultra-low impact: Fewer than 10 crew, minimal gear (like one camera and one light).
  • Low to high impact: Larger productions with more crew, equipment, or road use.

• Prepare Your Application: Include essential details like crew size, equipment, locations, and insurance coverage. Incomplete applications will be declined, so double-check everything!

• Lead Times Matter: Apply early! Ultra-low impact permits take at least two days to process, while high-impact projects need up to 15 days for approval.

• Fees and Subsidies: Permit fees vary, but ultra-low impact applications are free. Educational, charity, and tourism-focused projects might even qualify for subsidized rates.

• Additional Tips:

  • Notify neighbors and stakeholders if your shoot affects public spaces.
  • Parking permits are required for production vehicles.
  • ’ need extra approvals, so check with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Visit the City of Sydney website for guidelines, forms, and contact details.

Sydney Opera House

Filming and photography at the Sydney Opera House (for commercial use): What You Need to Know

Dreaming of shooting at the iconic Sydney Opera House? If you’re planning to shoot for commercial purposes on the Sydney Opera House site, whether it’s inside or outside, you’ll need to get the Opera House’s written approval first. As one of the busiest performing arts centers in the world and a World Heritage-listed site, the Opera House has a few rules to follow to make sure its beauty and history are protected.

• Get Approved First: All filming/photography needs to be approved in advance. Just fill out the official application form and follow the “Filming at Sydney Opera House Guidelines.”
• Understand the Fees: There are different fees depending on what you’re filming, including location, cost-recovery, and commercial licensing. Check the guidelines for details.
• What’s Your Purpose?: The Opera House team will review your application based on what you’re filming and how it will be used.

The Sydney Opera House team works hard to balance their operational needs with helping photographers and filmmakers bring their visions to life. If you’re planning to capture the magic of this iconic landmark, be sure to check out their detailed guidelines and fee schedules before applying.

With its iconic image being a valuable global brand, the Sydney Opera House balances facilitating productions with preserving its operational and commercial imperatives. For more details, applicants should refer to the official guidelines and fee schedules before applying:

• https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/brand-use-requests
• https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/brand-use-requests/filming-and-photography

Royal Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens of Sydney offer stunning, cinematic backdrops—from vibrant gardens to open spaces with the city skyline. If you’re planning to film or photograph comemrcially here, here’s how to make it happen.

When Do You Need a Permit?

If you’re filming or photographing for commercial purposes, or even for private events like family or wedding portraits, you’ll need to apply for a permit. Public liability insurance is also required for all applications.

How to Apply

• Plan Ahead: Submit your application at least five business days before your shoot.
• Provide Details: Include a risk assessment, site map, parking needs, and any special equipment in your application.
• Drone Use: All drone activities require additional approvals and documentation.

Fee Breakdown

Permit fees vary based on the nature and scale of your shoot (as of 2024):

• 2 hour shoots : $340 - $808.
• a half day shoot : $1,785 - $2,763.
• a full day shoot : $3,250 - $4,663.
• Drones: $9,897 per day.

Additional fees apply for parking ($90/day) and ranger assistance ($69–$105/hour).

Visit the Botanic Gardens of Sydney website for detailed guidelines and applications.

Barangaroo

Filming and Photography at Barangaroo

Barangaroo is a picturesque location for filming and photography in Sydney, offering everything from stunning waterfront views to modern urban landscapes. A guide to getting started:

Do You Need a Permit?

A permit is typically required for professional shoots, such as:

• TV programs, commercials, or fashion shoots.
• Student film projects or major productions.

For amateur photography without additional setup (e.g., blocking streets or extra parking), no permit is needed.

How to Apply

• Ultra-Low Impact Shoots: Minimal equipment (1 camera, 1 tripod, etc.) in public spaces, no application fee applies.
• Low to High Impact Shoots: Larger productions with more crew, equipment, and locations. These include:
  • Low: Up to 25 crew, 1–2 locations.
  • Medium: 26–50 crew, up to 4 locations.
  • High: More than 50 crew, significant setups.

Key Requirements

• Submit full details, including dates, locations, scene descriptions, and insurance documents.
• Applications missing required information will be rejected.

Fees and Additional Costs

Application fees are non-refundable. Additional costs may include:

• Location bookings.
• Traffic management.
• Equipment and parking arrangements.

After Applying

A Placemaking NSW representative will guide you through the approval process and provide conditions to follow during your shoot.

For more details and to apply, visit the Barangaroo website .

Darling Harbour

Filming and Photography at Darling Harbour: What You Need to Know

Darling Harbour is one of Sydney’s most vibrant locations for filming and photography. Managed by Place Management NSW (PMNSW), the precinct offers diverse public spaces for professional shoots.

Do You Need a Permit?

Permits are required for:

• Professional shoots, such as TV programs, commercials, fashion shoots, and major productions.
• Student film projects and other large-scale shoots.

Amateur photographers typically don’t need permits unless their activities involve blocking streets or additional setups.

How to Apply

• Ultra-Low Impact Shoots: Minimal equipment (1 camera, 1 tripod) and no location booking required.
• Low to High Impact Shoots:
  • Low: Up to 25 crew, small setups.
  • Medium: Up to 50 crew with moderate equipment.
  • High: More than 50 crew with significant construction and equipment.

Applications must include:

• Detailed shot schedules and locations.
• Public liability insurance with at least $20 million coverage.
• Any additional permits for road closures, drones, or parking.

Fees and Lead Times

• Application fees are non-refundable and vary by production size.
• Additional costs include:
  • Drone permit assessment: $150.
  • Security, rangers, or cleaning staff: $78/hour (minimum 4-hour shifts).
  • Parking or barricading services as needed.
• Lead times:
  • Ultra-low: 2 business days.
  • Low to high: 5–15 business days, depending on requirements.

Approval and Cancellations

PMNSW will review your application and may request revisions. Approved shoots must comply with all listed conditions, and permits must be displayed on-site. Cancellation policies vary, but fees are generally non-refundable.

Visit the Darling Harbour website to apply and bring your vision to life in this iconic Sydney location.

Luna Park Sydney

For filming/photography requests, you need to submit a Filming Application Form. Due to the volume of requests for filming each week, you need to allow up to 2 weeks for a response.

I could not found any information online about any fees and other requirements or restrictions. But from travelers’ reviews, it seems tripods are not allowed without permission, and there seems to be a fee involved.

Port Authority of NSW

Filming at Port Authority NSW: What You Need to Know

The Port Authority of NSW offers incredible waterfront locations like the Overseas Passenger Terminal and White Bay Cruise Terminal for filming and photoshoots. Here’s the quick rundown:

• When: Filming only happens on non-ship days.
• Drone Use: Requires a license, $20M insurance, and CASA approval.
• Projects Over 21 Days: Need planning approval.
• Staff: A security guard is required, with additional staff as needed.

Apply through the venue hire form , or Visit the Port Authority NSW website for detailed guidelines and applications.

Commercial Activities in NSW National Parks

New South Wales is home to over 895 national parks and reserves. These places are perfect for photographers and filmmakers because of their incredible beauty. From tall mountains to sandy beaches and lush rainforests, there’s so much to see and capture. But if you want to take photos or film here for your business, you’ll need permission from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS ) to ensure that your activities don’t harm the environment or disturb visitors.
Here’s how to get started.

Why Do You Need Permission?

The NPWS knows how important photography and filming can be for promoting parks and helping the economy. But they also need to protect the parks. They look at things like:

• How the filming might affect the environment.
• How the project could benefit the parks and the public.
• Whether the project fits with park rules and values.

Application Process

You need to apply at least 7 business days before your project begins to allow enough time for proper review and approval of your application. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. A completed application form (specific to your project type).
2. Proof of a public liability insurance certificate with:
   • Coverage of at least AUD $10 million.
   • A statement that includes the NSW government as an interested party.

Types of Permits

1. Small-Scale Photography/Filming: For professional photographers working on small projects like weddings or location scouting.

   • Maximum of two people working.
   • Minimal equipment (e.g., single tripod, no ’ allowed).
   • Free and valid for one year.

2. Commercial Filming/Photography: For larger projects such as documentaries, advertisements, or productions involving ’.

   • Requires a detailed application and may involve fees and deposits.

3. Travel and Lifestyle Projects: For projects promoting NSW parks with minimal environmental impact.

   • May be free if the project helps showcase the parks (e.g., tagging NPWS on social media or showing park signs).

Important Things to Know

• Applications might be rejected if they are late or missing information.
• You may need to pay extra fees, like supervision or security deposits.
• If approved, you’ll get a document with all the rules you need to follow.

Ready to Apply?

Visit the NPWS website for detailed guidelines, application forms, and inquiries.