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Filming and photography approval

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Apply for a permit for filming or still photography in public areas. Request to close a road for a shoot.

Cameraman setting up a shot.

Filming and taking photos in Brisbane

Brisbane’s panoramic city skyline, vibrant laneways, picturesque parklands and stunning lookouts create the perfect backdrop for films and photos.

Council regulates film production and commercial still photography in public spaces. This helps to ensure public safety and minimise disruptions to local businesses and residents.

When you need a permit

You must have a permit for:

  • any use of Council-managed assets or venues including Brisbane City Hall, King George Square, Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, pools, cemeteries, libraries, transport services, parks, roads and footpaths
  • vehicle access to public areas such as parks, malls, roads and footpaths
  • all student films or photo shoots in public areas or Council-managed assets or venues
  • using a drone in public areas
  • using Council-managed facilities or venues for wedding photography
  • wedding photography to promote a photography business
  • wedding photography in parks requiring exclusive use of an area or within a bookable space.

When you don't need a permit

You don't need a permit for:

  • filming or still photography on private property
  • wedding photography without props or the exclusive use of any section of a Council park
  • live-to-air news or weather-cross reporting for an existing news program, or a news program with a definite on-air schedule. However, you may need to get approval for this from Council's Media team.
information outline

Still unsure if you need a permit for commercial filming or photography?

Call the Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263) and ask to speak to a Filming Liaison Officer.

You need to contact these venues directly to get permission for filming and photography:

Are you part of a student project? Download our tips for student film productions.

Road closures for filming

You can apply for a road closure as part of your permit application.

You must request a road closure if you’re using it as a shoot location, including placing filming or photography equipment, props or talent on the road.

When filming or shooting on a road, you must:

  • minimise the impacts on pedestrians, road users and local resident access
  • minimise disruption to retail, business and public transport operations
  • leave a 3-metre clear corridor on the road to ensure emergency vehicle access
  • have accredited controllers on-site to help with crowd and traffic control and to ensure you comply with any conditions imposed by Council
  • erect safety barriers to protect any pedestrians or event participants from vehicles.

To apply for a road closure, you must supply a copy of the Traffic Management Plan. Your plan must be in accordance with the Department of Transport and Main Roads' Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Part 3 – Traffic control for works on roads.

Evaluate your project’s impact 

Consider the impact of your project. This affects your application’s assessment time.

Your project has minimal impact if all film crew vehicles:

  • park in designated parking areas
  • pay for metered parking
  • use parking lanes only
  • are only parked for the duration of the permitted parking times on the meter.

Your project has low-scale impact if it:

  • affects local neighbourhoods
  • doesn't impact major arterial corridors or highways/motorways. This means that:
    • public transport isn't impacted
    • local homeowners can enter and exit as needed
    • full/partial closures and accredited traffic management plans are in place
    • there's a hold and release of traffic in local suburban streets.

Your project has major impact if it:

  • affects major arterial roads or priority routes
  • needs full or partial closure accredited traffic management
  • impacts public transport services
  • requires multiple closures within the CBD and surrounding suburbs over a number of days.

Apply for a permit

Follow our step-by-step process to apply for a Filming in Brisbane permit.

You can also request a road closure as part of your application.

information outline

Note

  • For low-impact filming or photography that doesn’t restrict public access or use, you must apply at least 5 working days before the start of shooting.
  • For larger projects, you must apply at least one month in advance.
  • Road closure requests are assessed separately. The assessment time depends on your project’s impact.
1 Prepare your supporting documents

You must submit the following documents as Word, PDF or JPG files:

  • a site map for each location
  • certificate of currency for public liability insurance for a minimum of $20 million (must be valid for the filming period)
  • resident/business notification letter - see our template for guidance
  • safe work method statement / risk assessment
  • production budget outline
  • for vox pops, the interview questions for members of the public
  • for students:
    • a letter from your lecturer that proves you're enrolled in the relevant unit and must film for course assessment
    • certificate of currency for public liability from your study institution for a minimum of $20 million (must be valid for the filming period)
  • for using a drone:
    • certificate of currency for public liability from your study institution for a minimum of $20 million (must be valid for the filming period)
    • a site map for launch and land (exclusion zones)
    • a risk assessment
    • Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) accreditation documents including ReOC/RePL, operators certificate, ARN and any exemption documents.
2 Understand your fees

A permit fee of $862.90 applies. 

This fee includes GST and is a one-off fee for each new production. It gives you access to approved public locations for the duration of filming. 

Fee exemptions

You don't need to pay a permit fee for: 

  • low-impact film productions involving minimal crew

  • film productions with a budget of $100,000 or less 

  • not-for-profit screen industry development organisations

  • news or current affairs for an existing television program or a program with a definite on-air schedule

  • a story featuring an interview with an approved Council spokesperson 

  • a story that promotes Council products, services or initiatives

  • a program that promotes Brisbane as a destination and includes Council in the end credits 

  • students at school, TAFE, university or those undertaking an approved course.

Additional fees 

Where appropriate, a performance bond will apply. Council negotiates the fee for direct use of assets, including:

  • car parks 

  • metered parking spaces

  • any after-hours filming that requires Council staff attendance 

  • Council buildings 

  • areas managed by Council or our representatives, such as malls, King George Square and community halls. 

Fees are not payable at the time of submitting a permit application. You will be invoiced before the permit is issued.

You can pay: 

3 Submit your application

Complete the online form to apply for a Filming in Brisbane permit.

You can also use the form to add a new location to an existing permit.

Apply for a permit

For more information, call the Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263) and ask to speak to a Filming Liaison Officer.

Frequently asked questions

You need a permit to take commercial photos in Brisbane if you want to:

  • use a drone in public areas
  • use a public space or venue managed by Council including parks, roadways and transport services
  • shoot promotional wedding photography in a space managed by Council, or if you need exclusive use of a park or bookable space.

You don't need a permit to take photos:

  • for non-commercial purposes (e.g. personal photos as a tourist or sightseer)
  • on private property. You must still get permission from the property owner or manager.

Find out more about taking photos in Brisbane.

You need permission from Council to film student projects in public areas or venues managed by Council. To apply for permission, you must provide:

  • evidence of your enrolment in a relevant subject
  • proof that the project is part of your course assessment
  • a certificate of currency for public liability insurance from your study institution. This needs to be for a minimum of $20 million and be valid for the period of filming.

You also need permission from the Queensland Police Service to film scenes that include death, weapons or illegal activities in public locations. You must get permission from the management or venue owner if you are filming on private property.

Learn more about filming in Brisbane.