Council encourages filming and photography in the Inner West Council area.
We have a diverse range of locations: explore our venues and parks.
You must apply for a permit if you are planning to film or take still photographs on or affecting Council-owned property, in open spaces and outdoor spaces such as footpaths, roads and parks within the Inner West Council area.
Filming and photography permits are issued under Section 138 of the Roads Act 1993 and Section 115 of the Local Government Act 1993.
Applications are assessed under the Local Government Filming Protocol.
In accordance with the Protocol, it is expected that Council, local police, neighbouring residents and businesses will be notified of all proposed filming, even when only filming on private property.
Applications need to be lodged a minimum of 7 working days before the proposed filming date. Additional fees will apply for late lodgement.
How to apply for your permit
Step 1
Once you've completed the application form and collected all mandatory supporting documents, you use the Get it done online portal to lodge the application.
Step 2
Register for an account on the Get it done online portal – verification should occur within one business day.
Please see the following guide for assistance on the registration process.
Step 3
Log into your account and apply for your permit.
Please note: if you cannot find the address of the location, please select a nearby address and specify the exact location within the application form.
After you apply for you permit, once Council receives your application, the required documents and payment (if applicable), your application will be processed.
Supporting Information
Most of the application fees are structured in accordance with the Local Government Filming Protocol 2025, which includes maximum charges and depends on the likely impact of the activity on traffic and parking.
Student films and not-for-profit organisations do not normally incur any fees.
The fees and charges set out on the Application form.
| Filming Classification | Fee |
|---|---|
| Low impact: 11-25 crew, no more then 4 trucks/vans, minimal equipment/lighting small or no base unit required | $280.00 |
| Medium impact: 26-50 crew, no more than 10 trucks/vans, significant construction, extensive equipment large unit base required | $485.00 |
| High impact: 10 trucks/vans, significant construction, extensive equipment large unit base required. | $770.00 |
| Additional Charges - Urgent Applications | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application is submitted with less than 5 business days' notification | $300.00 |
| Application is submitted with less than 1 day notification (Low Impact) | $450.00 |
| Application is submitted with less than 1 day notification (Medium Impact) | $963.00 |
| Application is submitted with less than 2 days' notification (High Impact) | $1,675.00 |
| Traffic Management | Fee |
|---|---|
| Not required | Nil |
| Low: Stop/go traffic control on a local or Council-managed road and written police acknowledgement is required | $140.00 |
| Medium: Stop/go traffic control on a multi-lane or state road. Police and Transport for NSW acknowledgement required. Note: State roads are managed by Transport for NSW | $400.00 |
| High: Road closure as per temporary road closure fees – a separate application for a road closure form is required | Price on application |
| Parking Essential Vehicles/Unit Base and road Occupation Charges | Fee |
|---|---|
| Barricading of parking spaces in an unrestricted area | |
| Parking essential vehicles, road occupation for filming or unit base plans | $150.00 |
| Barricading within restricted parking area (in addition to above $150 fee) | |
| Parking essential vehicles, road occupation for filming or unit base plans | $150.00 |
Six (6) or less parking spaces – minimum charge of $148.00 More than 6 parking spaces – $24.84/space/day* *Calculation for rate per car space – $14.80 × 12.6m² (car parking space area) divided by 7 days – daily rate of $24.84 | $26.64/space/day |
| Barricading in a metered parking area (in addition to above $150 fee) | |
| Fee for suspension of parking meters | $71.70/bay/day |
You will need to provide the following information in support of your application:
- Address of the property
- Details of the activity, e.g. location and summary of work or activity
- Details of the proposed filming – start/finish dates and operating hours
- Backup/wet weather alternative dates
- Expiry dates of public liability insurance cover
- Specify filming classification, traffic management assessment, parking plan or unit-based plan
- If this is an urgent application, a
- Applicant details
You will need to complete the following application form:
Application Form (PDF, 320.53KB)
Application Form (DOCX, 104.37KB)
Have the following documents ready before starting the online application as they will need to be uploaded with the application during lodgement.
If they are not provided, the assessment will be delayed and may be refused.
- Application form – a signed copy of the application form
- Public liability insurance certificate of currency – required for every application (see details above)
The following information must be provided when applicable or when requested:
- Scope of works/site plan
- Traffic management plan
- A traffic control plan (prepared by a Transport for NSW-accredited person) in compliance with Transport for NSW Traffic Control at Work Sites Manual Guidelines – AS1742.3 and Work Cover NSW regulations
- Parking plan
- Pedestrian plan
- List of essential vehicle registrations
- Authorised safety report
- A draft notification letter(s) for distribution by the applicant to residents in the affected area, for approval by Council
If the works are to be carried out on or near a state-classified road or traffic lights, you will have to demonstrate that you have obtained written consent from Transport for NSW.
For the list of the state-classified roads within the Inner West Council can be viewed at the roads page.
The terms and conditions appear on the application form itself or you can you can view them below.
All drone filming within the Inner West Council area must comply with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) requirements.
Where drone take-off and landing is proposed on Council-owned land, the following information must be submitted as part of the filming application:
• Drone pilot licence/accreditation
• Drone pilot public liability insurance certificate (minimum $20 million coverage)
• Weight/classification of the drone
• A map indicating the proposed flight path
• A map clearly identifying the proposed take-off and landing location, including:
o A minimum 30 m radius buffer zone around the site
o The buffer zone must be physically established using witches’ hats, cones, or suitable barriers (e.g. rope/tape) to ensure public safety.
The establishment of the 30 m buffer zone is mandatory and must be maintained for the duration of all take-off and landing operations.
Map example:
The 'No Impact' category applies to filming activities that have no significant or unusual impact on residents, businesses, or normal community activities within the local government area. Typically, this category includes low-impact productions such as real estate filming (excluding drone operations), student films, and establishing or background photography for visual effects ("plate shots").
These activities typically have little to no impact on residents, businesses, or public spaces, comparable to that of a news crew.
Council approval is not required, provided the following criteria are met:
- Cast and crew numbers do not exceed six (6) people.
- No sets, structures, construction works, or props are used.
- Filming is limited to areas with very low pedestrian activity, including footpaths and public open space (excluding sporting fields).
- No pedestrians are blocked, held or diverted during the filming.
- No production vehicles are required to support the filming activity.
- All private vehicles are legally parked at all times.
- Public safety is maintained throughout the filming activity.
- The filmmaker is responsible for assessing risk and seeking own legal advice on the need for public insurance.
- Filming in conducted during daylight hours in public open space.