Apply for a filming or photography permit
You need to request permission before your shoot begins in the City of Sydney area.
Project Status: When you need to do this
To film or photograph on City of Sydney-owned or controlled land, you’ll need our permission.
- A permit is typically needed for fashion magazine shoots, TV programs, commercials, B-roll, student film projects and major studio productions.
- A permit is generally not needed for things like same-day wedding photography, but it is your responsibility to ensure approval is not needed.
Public land includes outdoor areas such as footpaths, roads, parks and other open spaces.
What you need to do
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Check what approvals you need
Approval is required to film or photograph on public land. Our government landowners map shows which areas require permission from City of Sydney and other authorities.
If you’re filming on private property, with no activity on City of Sydney public land, or parking permit requirements, you don’t need to apply for our consent but you’ll need to lodge a filming management plan.
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Determine your application category
Fees and lead times are determined by the size of your production.
- Ultra-low impact
- Generally less than 10 crew, 1 camera, sound, 1 light, no infrastructure and not on the road.
- Low impact
- 11–25 crew, no more than 4 trucks and vans, minimal equipment and lighting, small unit base, usually 1–2 locations.
- Medium impact
- 26–50 crew, maximum 10 trucks, some equipment (including dolly, jibs), unit base, maximum 4 locations.
- High impact
- More than 50 crew, more than 10 trucks, significant construction, extensive equipment, large unit base.
- Parking only
- When filming on private property and parking is required.
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Talk with a film liaison officer
We encourage you to contact us at the earliest time before applying on 02 9265 9333 or [email protected]. We can advise the best process to follow, and provide guidance on who you need to notify, as well as any additional requirements like parking and insurance.
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Prepare your supporting information
Information you provide must be clear, detailed and honest to help us make an informed decision. It must include a specific equipment list, an accurate assessment of the number of vehicles and crew and realistic descriptions of activities and timeframes. See application requirements.
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Complete the application form
If your production or photo shoot meets all of the criteria to be classified as ultra-low impact, you can complete our online application form.
Otherwise, you need to download and complete the form below.
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Lodge your application
Email the completed form to [email protected].
Applications must be lodged with full and complete details, which are not subject to change. As a minimum, the applicant’s public liability insurance certificate of currency must also be included.
Applications with missing or incomplete details will be rejected.
Keep a copy of your application. If you need to send further supporting documentation, please attach a copy of your application with your email.
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Pay the application fee
Once your application is submitted the associated application fee as stipulated under the local government filming protocol must be paid. It is non-refundable for cancellations or rejected applications.
Criteria for ultra-low impact filming and photography
Ultra-low impact filming and photography includes a maximum of 1 camera, 1 light, 1 piece of sound equipment and 1 tripod, and purely a piece to camera located in a park, open public space or footpath.
No other equipment is permitted under this type of application.
This application cannot be used for commercial filming/photoshoots or where booking of a location is required.
No activities can be approved on any open roadways under any conditions of this application such as laneways or other areas where there is no usable footpath.
The production should not require parking, traffic control or road closures and it should not affect people walking, businesses or residents.
Apply for ultra-low impact permit
There is no application fee for an ultra-low impact application.
Before you start
After you finish

Need a hand?
Read our guide, then contact a film liaison officer.
Application fees
Valid from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.
There is no application fee for an ultra-low impact filming application.
Fees are GST exempt unless specified.
Fees and charges
Low impact
Application fee
$150
Late application fee
$600
Parking fees – weekdays
Use of ticket parking, Monday to Friday. GST exempt.
$85
per car space per day
Parking fees – weekends
Use of ticket parking, Saturday and Sunday. GST exempt.
$60
per car space per day
Medium impact
Application fee
$300
Late application fee
$1,200
Parking fees – weekdays
Use of ticket parking, Monday to Friday. GST exempt.
$85
per car space per day
Parking fees – weekends
Use of ticket parking, Saturday and Sunday. GST exempt.
$60
per car space per day
High impact
Application fee
$500
Late application fee
$2,000
Parking fees – weekdays
Use of ticket parking, Monday to Friday. GST exempt.
$85
per car space per day
Parking fees – weekends
Use of ticket parking, Saturday and Sunday. GST exempt.
$60
per car space per day
Parking only
Application fee
$150
Late application fee
As applicable
$600
Parking fees – weekdays
Use of ticket parking, Monday to Friday. GST exempt.
$85
per car space per day
Parking fees – weekends
Use of ticket parking, Saturday and Sunday. GST exempt.
$60
per car space per day
Other
Hire of civic spaces (excluding Pitt St Mall)
GST inclusive.
$365
per hour
Hire of iconic parks and sports fields
GST inclusive.
$315
per hour
Hire of neighbourhood parks
GST inclusive.
$220
per hour
Hire of pocket parks
By negotiation. GST inclusive.
Traffic control assessment – low
Partial road closure - Stop/slow traffic control on local or council-managed road – Police consultation required. GST exempt.
$100
Traffic control assessment – high
Partial road closure – Stop/slow traffic control on a multi-lane or state road – Police consultation and RMS consultation required. GST exempt.
$300
Major road closure
Road closure fees and charges are GST exempt and may be subject to Local Pedestrian Cycling and Traffic Calming Committee approval.
$1,066
per street block
Minor road closure
Road closure fees and charges are GST exempt and may be subject to Local Pedestrian Cycling and Traffic Calming Committee approval.
$533
per street block
Site supervision
To be applied at the City of Sydney’s discretion. GST inclusive.
$78
per hour, minimum 4 hour callout
Catering in park or open space if filming in private property
At City of Sydney’s discretion and subject to suitability. GST exempt.
$156
per hour
Site inspection
GST exempt.
$150
Apply for a reduction or waiver of fees
You may be eligible for a reduction or waiver of fees if:
- the production and application is by a registered charity or not-for-profit organisation where the primary purpose is for the improvement/benefit to the City of Sydney community
- the production and application is by an educational institution relating directly to a course or curriculum based assignment, and solely for a non-commercial purpose.
To apply for a reduction or waiver of fees, download and complete the reduction/waiver of filming fees application.
Land ownership
Our area includes some precincts that require applications and permits from other authorities.
The government landowners map will help you determine the authority for the area of your production.
Contacts for other authorities
Centennial Park, Queens Park, Moore Park, Driver Avenue and other roads within
- Centennial Parklands
- 02 9339 6699
Inside train stations
- Transport for NSW
- 02 8922 4392
Royal Botanic Garden, The Domain, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Hospital Road and other roads within
- Royal Botanic Garden
- 02 9231 8111
Circular Quay, The Rocks, Darling Harbour, Pymont wharves, Pyrmont Point and other areas of Pyrmont/Ultimo
- Place Management NSW
- 02 9240 8500
Sydney Opera House including forecourt areas
- Sydney Opera House
- 02 9250 7111
All state roads such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Anzac Bridge, Cahill Expressway, Western Distributor and Botany Road
- Roads and Maritime Services
- 02 8396 1400
Barangaroo
- Placemaking NSW
- 1300 966 480
Filming on private property
If you’re filming on private property, you don’t need to apply for our consent but you’ll need to lodge a filming management plan.
The management plan needs to include:
- your company details
- a description of the filming to take place
- the proposed location
- start and end dates
- crew size
- details of temporary structures
- equipment to be used such as handheld or mounted cameras
- parking arrangements
- any expected disruption to the surrounding area such as noise, vibrations, release of smells and the use of lighting or special effects
- copies of approvals that you need from other public authorities such as the police.
You must also follow the state government’s planning restrictions in relation to the property.