A Filmmaker’s Guide
to Shooting in Australia
Our company works with local professionals to make sure you
are getting the right help throughout media production.
Permits in Australia: What You Need to Know
If you’re filming in Australia, you will have to get the right permits to do so off the local council or state government department in the area. This applies to all filming locations, from public streets to national parks. If some of your scenes are set to take place on First Nation lands, you must apply to the local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs) for permission first.
Permits come with a cost, too. However, the fees vary depending on the size of your shoot and how long it will take, as well as the location type.
Additionally, you’ll need further permissions if your filming schedule includes the use of drones, firearms, or mock police scenes.
Timing Your Australian Film Production around the Weather
When filming in the Land Down Under, be prepared for extreme weather conditions. Australia has undergone some severe summer heatwaves in recent times, with the most up-to-date data noting temperatures rising to 40°C in the country’s two biggest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, while certain areas in the outback have experienced heat at a blistering 50°C.
The takeaway from this? Don’t start cameras rolling in the summer season unless you have a plan in place to manage intense heat. This means having appropriate protective gear for your crew and equipment, can hydrate your team throughout each shoot, and you’re keeping an eye on weather tracking details as provided by the official Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).
Winter, which lasts from May to October, can be surprisingly chilly, quashing Australia’s reputation as a perpetually warm country and continent. In fact, in the Alpine regions of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, you might even be lucky enough to get snow (if snow is what you want, of course!)
Planning Filming Equipment Rental & Local Crew Logistics
It’s nearly always cheaper to rent your film equipment in Australia than to haul it across the globe with you. Australia has its own very successful film and TV industry, so you can be sure of having access to all the most current cameras, lights and sound gear. We collaborate regularly with a wide range of film equipment rental companies, so if you partner with us, you’ll have no problem getting the gear you need at the competitive prices you want.
Ensuring a full English-speaking local crew won’t be an issue either. And because Australia has a rich multi-cultural population, we can also organise crew members and translators in other languages if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it an ATA carnet country?
Yes, it is.
Is it safe for me and my team to film there?
Yes.
Do I need a visa or a work visa to film there?
You will need a Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)/Entertainment Activities Stream. This allows you and your team to work in Australia on any kind of production and in a wide variety of capacities. You’re also allowed to include family members as part of your visa application.
Do I need a local company to film or get visas there?
Yes, you will need a local company to manage the Temporary Activity Visa on your behalf.
Do I need a permit for drones?
Yes, you will need to register the drone and apply for a permit from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). As part of this, you must also agree to adhere to tight guidelines around when and where you can fly the drone during filming.
Is there a cash rebate/tax exemption or any other fiscal advantage?
There is a range of different incentives for foreign film makers through several Australian federal and state programmes. These include a 30% Location Offset for major foreign productions and a 30% PDV Offset for post-production, digital and visual effects work carried out in Australia. Your local production support partner will go through all the applicable initiatives with you.
Can I shoot in a national park and, if so, under what circumstances?
Yes, if your film fixer has applied for and got the go-ahead on your behalf.
Working with Fixer Australia
Working with us as your fixer across all areas of Australia means not having to worry about service or production quality. We guarantee both, and it’s a big part of the reason that our clients return to us again and again. We have team members in every state, which also means that no matter which part of Oz you want to film in, we have the professional film crew to help.
We’ve managed location scouting, permit applications, creative execution, kit management, and on-site production duties for a wide range of clientele, including Netflix, Ford, ABC TV, and popular Malaysian teen drama Kau vs. Aku, among many, many more. Why not get in touch and see how we can help you.