Filming in the City of Casey
If you plan to engage in commercial filming activities in public spaces within the City of Casey, it is essential to obtain a permit. Permit application specifically applies to filming on Council-owned and managed land, including land, roads, footpaths and car parks.
If you are only intending to film on private land you need the approval of the land owner. If you are not sure if where you want to film is managed by the Council, please contact us.
Commercial filming includes:
- Filming for television
- Feature films
- Advertising and television commercials
- Documentaries
- Music videos
As defined by the Filming Approval Act 2014, commercial filing involves recording images for broadcast or public exhibition with commercial intent, excluding standard photography.
Approval from other government agencies
Depending on what and where you are filming, you may need permission from other Victorian Government agencies:
- To shoot on a road managed by VicRoads, you must contact VicRoads for permission.
- To film on any land managed by Melbourne Water, you need to apply for a permit with Melbourne Water.
- To film in most Victorian Parks, you may need to apply for a permit with Parks Victoria.
- If your filming may affect traffic, requires the use of weapons or special effects, you may need to apply for a permit with Victoria Police.
Public Liability Insurance
To receive a permit, you must hold public liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $20 million. The permit must be held in the name of the applicant and contain the following clause:
Obligation to Insure
The Permit Holder shall at all times during the agreed Term, be the holder of a current Public Liability Policy of Insurance (“The Public Liability Policy”) in respect of the activities specified herein in the name of the Permit Holder providing coverage for a minimum sum of $20M (or more). The Public Liability Policy shall cover such risks and be subject only to such conditions and exclusions as are approved by the Council and shall extend to cover the Council in respect to claims for personal injury or property damage arising out of the negligence of the Permit holder.
Council’s indemnity
The Permit Holder agrees to indemnify and to keep indemnified, the Council, its servants and agents, and each of them from and against all actions, costs, claims, charges, expenses, penalties, demands and damages whatsoever which may be brought or made or claimed against them, or any of them, in connection with the Permit Holders performance or purported performance of its obligations under this Permit and be directly related to the negligent acts, errors or omission of the Permit Holder.
The Permit Holders liability to indemnify the Council shall be reduced proportionally to the extent that any act or omission of the Council, its servants or agents, contributed to the loss or liability.
Educational institution public liability insurance
Students must provide a copy of their educational institution’s public liability insurance, with a minimum coverage of $20 million.
Traffic Management Plan
If filming on a road, arterial road or freeway, you must provide an approved traffic and pedestrian management plan with your application.
Permit fees
- Application Fee: $138.00 (non-refundable)
- Permit Fee: $245.00
Non-commercial projects, such as student films or not-for-profit short films, are exempt from fees.
Categories of Commercial Filming:
There are two categories for commercial filming:
- Low impact filming
- High impact filming
Low impact filming
A filming activity is considered low impact when:
- The filming involves six people or fewer, including all crew and cast.
- There are no more than one camera, one tripod, and handheld sound recording equipment.
- Public pathways, footpaths or roads are not blocked and public safety is maintained at all times.
- There is no disruption to stakeholders (including traders, businesses and residents) or motorists.
- There is no drone in use.
- No vehicles access required to locations other than a road or carpark; for example a park, reserve or where bollards would need to be removed.
To apply for low impact filming, please complete the Film Permit Application Form – Low Impact.
High impact filming
If your filming activity does not qualify as low impact (e.g more than 6 people, more than one camera), you will need to apply for a high impact filming permit. For high impact filming we often require more information such as
- Site Plan
- Risk Management Plan
- Emergency Management Plan (If applicable)
- Traffic Management Plan (If applicable)
For high impact filming please complete the Film Permit Application Form – High Impact
Filming with a drone
We do not grant permission for drone usage but we recommend reading information from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) https://www.casa.gov.au/drones. Compliance with CASA regulations and respect for personal privacy is important.
If your filming involves the use of drones, obtaining approval from CASA is mandatory and should be included with your application.
Submit your application
Submit your application form and payment:
- via email to [email protected].
- via post
- in person at one of our customer service centres
What happens next
- After you have submitted your application, we will contact you in 5 business days to acknowledge we have received it.
- Depending on your application, we may need to contact other government agencies. You may need to provide further information.
- We will let you know the outcome of your application within 10 business days.
- If successful, we will send you a permit that outlines the conditions in which you can film. You must carry this permit whenever you are shooting.