Filming and photography

Photo of Bondi Beach

At Waverley, we have some of the world’s most iconic beaches and picturesque coastal parks and reserves on our doorstep, which are sought after locations for filming and photography. Some of the most popular locations for shoots are:

With the exception of TV news crews or official media photographers, Council approval is required prior to all filming and commercial still photography in public spaces, on footpaths and on roads. No permit is required if activity is on private property, however we recommend that you contact us if you think your activity may impact the street or neighbours.

All filming should be in accordance with the Local Government Filming Protocol 2009.

How to apply for a permit

  • Complete the relevant online form: Filming Application Form or Photography Application Form.
  • Provide a current Australian Public Liability Insurance Certificate of no less than $10 million noting Waverley Council as an interested party.
  • For all drone filming and photography, a Pilot License from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) must be attached to your application along with a map showing take-off and landing sites with a 30m radius.

Note: Until a permit has been issued, the activity cannot proceed.

Processing times for applications

  • Ultra low film applications are required 5 working days in advance.
  • Low to medium impact film applications are required 5-10 working days in advance.
  • All commercial photography applications are required 5-10 working days in advance.

Fees and charges

Filming Fees
Ultra low film (under 10 cast and crew) No fee
Low impact film (11-25 cast and crew, minimal equipment, no vehicles) $150
Medium impact film (26-50 cast and crew, maximum 10 trucks, equipment, no vehicles) $300
High impact film (50+ cast and crew, 10+ trucks, significant construction, extensive equipment, large unit base) $500
Commercial Photography Fees
Administration fee $236
1-3 people No fee
Low impact (4-10 cast and crew) $278 per hour for Bondi, Bronte, Tamarama Beaches and Park; $213 per hour for all other public spaces
Medium impact (11-25 cast and crew) $357 per hour for Bondi, Bronte, Tamarama Beaches and Park; $278 per hour for all other public spaces
High impact (25+ cast and crew) $507 per hour for Bondi, Bronte, Tamarama Beaches and Park; $357 per hour for all other public spaces

Find out more about event impact categories in the Outdoor Events Management & Delivery Guidelines.

Things to consider before applying

  • Council’s requirements for use of drones, UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) and RPA (remotely piloted aircraft) are determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Applicants will need to contact Council to discuss an appropriate landing and take-off area with a 30m radius. Approval will only be granted in locations that are predetermined by usage.
  • All commercial operators flying drones require an RPA operator’s certificate (ReOC) or a remote pilot licence (RePL). You will be required to attach your licence to your application.
  • Drone operators are required to notify CASA at least five days before the first commercial flight and operate by the standard operation conditions (SOCs). You will need to obtain an aviation reference number (ARN) from CASA and provide it to Council.
  • If you fly a drone or RPA for business or use one as part of your job, you must register your drone with CASA.
  • View standard operation conditions for flying a drone and learn more about changes and general information on drone operations in Australia.

Bondi Skate Park can only be utilised for film and photography during school hours: 9.30am–2.30pm, and outside of school holidays.

Low impact film and photography can take place at Waverley’s ocean pools in North Bondi and Bronte. Ensure that you check the pool cleaning schedules before organising any filming or photography shoots. Please remember that these ocean pools are public spaces and must be accessible to the public at all times.

Council does not authorise the use of land, rock or cliff edge beyond the public reserve fence lines. Subsidence and slippages do occur along the coastline and it is considered highly dangerous and potentially fatal to go beyond the fence line.

For filming and photography enquiries in Waverley Cemeteries, email outdoorevents@waverley.nsw.gov.au or call 0435 552 982.

For vehicles less than 6m in length, no application to Council for parking is required. However, the vehicle must be parked legally within any timed restrictions.

If the production vehicle(s) involved is longer than 6m and needs to take up more than one car space, or you need to book a long stay in a metered parking area, see Application forms & certificates.

Please note that you are required to give at least 5 business days' notice when applying for parking permits.

If your filming or photography activity affects any road or pedestrian access area, you will be required to develop and submit a traffic and pedestrian management plan.

Any requests to close roads or car parks or affect traffic must be accompanied by a Traffic Control Plan. This plan must be prepared by a Service NSW authorised person. Filming on state or regional roads must be approved by Transport for NSW before you seek Council approval.

Filmmakers and photographers should notify relevant authorities, such as Transport for NSW and NSW Police about large-scale, potentially hazardous activities, or any other activities they may need to be aware of. Other authorities to consider include (but are not limited to) are the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), NSW Food Authority and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

To enquire about filming and photography in Waverley, email outdoorevents@waverley.nsw.gov.au or call 0434 855 115.