Commercial filming / photography
General information
Filming/photography activities range from a person seeking a spectacular calendar image to a wildlife documentary crew transmitting live via satellite.
Commercial filming and photography in QPWS-managed areas is deemed a "commercial activity" - an activity conducted for gain, and requires a permit and the payment of fees.
Guidelines and policies
For major productions see:
Information sheet:Commercial activities in QPWS managed areas (PDF, 76K)*
Information sheet:Tourism and visitor management permit update
Operational policy: Commercial filming and photography - general requirements (PDF, 95K)*
Operational policy: Commercial filming and photography - major productions (PDF, 104K)*
Pre-lodgement service
If you are considering applying for a commercial filming photography permit contact the local QPWS office to discuss the proposal before making formal application.
Permits and approvals
A commercial activity permit for commercial filming/photography in a QPWS-managed area can be issued for a period ranging from one day to three years.
Forms and fees
The sliding scale of fees applicable to commercial filming/photography in QPWS-managed areas means that small operators least likely to damage the environment pay lower fees, while larger-scale productions pay higher fees to contribute to management of the area from which they benefit.
Application form: Commercial activity permit on QPWS managed areas (Word, 446K)‡.
* Requires Adobe Reader
‡ Requires Microsoft Office files viewer
Last updated 22 October 2003