Apply for a filming or photography permit

Ultra-low impact

Each application requires at least 2 working days to process.

Confirmation on approvals are issued up to the last working day before the proposed shoot date.

Low to high impact

Each application must be lodged with at least 5 working days lead time before the first shoot date or the first date of proposed barricading of parking spaces where applicable – whichever occurs first.

For road closure applications, at least 15 working days lead time is required before the first shoot date involving a road closure.

Applications received outside of the minimum lead time may be rejected. While approval is possible for late applications in unique circumstances, late application fees will apply.

All completed 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. This includes applications received inside the lead times specified above.

Your application must include, but is not limited to:

• Dates and times including schedule of each shot or scene.
• Specific location list. Street or park names are required – broad areas cannot be approved.
• Full shot or scene descriptions (ideally with storyboard) of all different shots or scenes detailing what is being filmed and how, such as the equipment to be used.
• Specific equipment list, with details of scene specific equipment including but not limited to dolly and track, Steadicam, and 10K light. Stating ‘film equipment’ without further detail will not be accepted. This includes all special equipment including but not limited to cranes, cherry pickers, and tracking vehicles. Set dressing must be complete with what and where is being proposed (including details of removing any existing signs or assets). Pyrotechnics must include full details of what, where and how.
• Catering or unit locations. Details of where and what is required, including total infrastructure.
• Complete parking details with associated parking plans that state clearly on the plans:
  • how many parking spaces are requested in each specific street (based on a standard parking space being 6m in length)
  • what the parking restrictions are (for example, 1P resident permit holders excepted, 4P Ticket.)
  • Times of proposed parking space barricading, including details of the licensed traffic company, which can only be conducted by a licensed ticket holder.

A technical survey of the proposed filming locations should be completed before lodging a filming and photography application. The production is responsible for ensuring these surveys are scheduled with sufficient lead time to allow the location team to submit the necessary applications once details are finalised on the survey

If technical surveys are scheduled after the application is lodged, which result in changes to the application details, it can result in the application being rejected.

All film projects must have public liability insurance and a copy of the certificate of currency must be provided along with the application before any approvals can be provided.

Stills shoots, news crew-style shoots, short films, documentaries, student films and children's productions should have $10 million coverage.

TV commercials, dramas, mini-series and films need $20 million coverage.

We assess all parking needs for productions requiring access to on-street parking. You may be allocated or purchase parking spaces for unit and essential vehicles and keep a section of kerbspace for example, to use for filming.

Applications must show the exact parking locations on a clear map, the parking restrictions and provide the registration details of vehicles parking on-street. Please note, flexible or unlimited parking permits are not available. Barricading/reserving of parking may be required in some areas, which must be carried-out by authorised traffic controllers.

In areas where parking is in high demand such as residential or business areas, you will need to relocate your unit base and transport your equipment to the film site. Please ask about suitable unit bases if you require further information.

If your production includes commercial drone/remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) use, additional restrictions apply. 

Further information and licensing procedure queries can be directed to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority or phone 131 757.

Ultra-low impact

We will email you with the conditions to be met. You must have a print-out of these conditions with you when filming.

Low to high impact

A film liaison officer will contact you. We may require revisions or changes, but we will work with you throughout the process.

You may need to provide further documents, like traffic control plans, pedestrian control plans, roads occupancy licences or NSW Police approvals. 

A permit will be issued that lists approved details and conditions. You must have the permit onsite at all times while filming.

Parking permits for approved vehicles will be attached.

We will contact you by email. Depending on the changes required, you may need to re-apply.

The application fee is non-refundable for rejected applications.

Filming activities on public land may need to be approved by NSW Police to discuss traffic control, user-pays police personnel and working around other activities that may be planned in the area at the same time.

Police must also be notified if the filming project involves firearms, police uniforms or any other law enforcement-related props.

Before you start filming you need to letterbox drop the area around your location letting the neighbours (business/residential) know about your production plans. You need to do this at least 5 days before the shoot for standard filming/parking activities and at least 14 days before for road closures.

A copy of the notification letter needs to be provided to our film liaison officer for approval before it is distributed. You can download a sample letter (Word doc 24.5KB).

Our film liaison officer can provide advice about the specific area that needs to be notified and any additional requirements.

If parking is approved by us, you must:

• park only in nominated areas with an approved parking permit
• ensure the location and parking of production vehicles meets City of Sydney and any police requirements
• ensure production vehicles don’t arrive earlier than the time stipulated in the permit, particularly in residential areas
• ensure the parking permit is clearly displayed on each vehicle for the duration the vehicle will be parked in the street
• not move or tow-away any private vehicle from the filming site
• keep normal access for motorists and pedestrians through the filming unless otherwise approved.

Once an application is received and processed, cancellations will only be accepted in writing.

No refund of fees (additional to the application fee) will be issued for cancellations that are received less than 5 working days before the first shoot date.

The application fee is non-refundable for cancellations or refused applications.