Filming and photography policy

3. Applicants should enquire with NPWS (see clause 18) before choosing filming locations:
   1. NPWS will work with applicants to determine if the location is appropriate or if other, more suitable locations may be available.
   2. To minimise environmental impacts NPWS will encourage applicants to carry out filming activities in places already set aside for visitor use or other modified areas, rather than in undisturbed environments.

4. Approval is required for the following activities:
   1. certain types of filming activities (see Definitions), including:
      1. film production and photography
      2. commercial small-scale filming and photography
      3. travel media
      4. news and current affairs
   2. filming on leased land for purposes not directly related to the lease
   3. filming using aircraft, including drones (see clause 6), where the aircraft:
      1. is being launched, landed or operated within a park (noting applicants are also responsible for complying with relevant civil aviation safety authority requirements)
      2. may interfere with or cause a nuisance to people or animals
   4. filming in wilderness areas
   5. filming of park management operational activities, such as pest species management programs, bushfire management, cultural heritage conservation projects, and the like
   6. where specified in a park plan of management.
5. Approval is not required for the following:
   1. amateur photography for personal use and not intended for public release, exhibition or broadcast (for example, wildlife photography for hobby and personal interest):
      1. note that separate approvals may still be required, such as for large gatherings of people or parking vehicles in certain locations.
   2. filming on leased land for purposes directly related to the lease (for example, self-promotion of a business that is subject to the lease), provided that the filming activities do not require environmental impact assessment (see Filming and photography procedures)
   3. ancillary activities that are already addressed by a primary approval (for example, an approval to hold a wedding in a national park may include approval for small-scale filming – meaning separate or additional filming approval is not required).
6. Filming proposals using drones should also refer to the NPWS Drones in parks policy for further guidance.
7. All filming applications will be assessed and approved under the FA Act, except commercial small-scale filming, which will be managed under the NPW Regulation.
8. Some filming activities may require separate approval under other relevant legislation (such as Commonwealth environmental law). This will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

9. If the proposed activity falls into one of the categories in point 4 above, refer to the Filming and photography procedures for details on application requirements:
   1. The procedures set out the information that applications must contain to enable assessment of the proposal in accordance with the requirements of the FA Act, NPW Regulation and this policy.
   2. It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide the required information and undertake any necessary environmental or other required assessments.
   3. Certain types of filming proposals follow a streamlined application and approval process as they are considered low environmental risk.
10. If you are unsure whether approval is required, contact the NPWS Visitor Engagement and Revenue Branch at [email protected].

11. The concurrence of the relevant board of management is required before filming approvals may be granted in lands reserved under Part 4A or listed in Schedule 14 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.
12. Concurrence and/or consultation may also be required from or with relevant Aboriginal stakeholders in accordance with the following:
    1. any joint management agreements that apply to the land
    2. if the proposal includes filming locations or material that is culturally sensitive for Aboriginal people, the proponent must consult with the relevant Aboriginal custodians to seek the endorsement of the filming before it begins. The endorsement must specify the relevant activities and who endorsed them.
    3. department policies, procedures or guidelines.

13. NPWS does not own the copyright over any natural, historic or landscape features within parks.
14. Prior written consent is required for the publication or use of any NPWS logo, uniforms, insignia, or the filming or photography of NPWS staff. These emblems, and NPWS staff, must not be used in commercial advertising in such a way that would imply NPWS endorsement of a product.
15. NPWS staff, while on duty or in uniform, may not be employed by the filmmaker/photographer on a commercial basis.

16. NPWS will monitor compliance with conditions for all filming approvals and will act to restrain any breaches by taking appropriate enforcement action.

17. Fees may be required for filming applications. Refer to the Filming and photography procedures.

18. All filming or photography enquiries should be directed to the Visitor Engagement and Revenue Branch at [email protected].

Policy adopted May 2010
Policy last updated March 2026

Scope and application

This policy applies to all lands acquired or reserved under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 except for lands reserved under Part 4A of the Act (unless the board of management for those lands has adopted the policy). However, NPWS staff can use the policy as guidance when working with boards of management and on Part 4A lands.

Definitions

Amateur filming means photography or filming where the principal intent of the activity is the pursuit of personal or hobby interests and not commercial gain.

Approval means approval under section 4(2) of the Filming Approval Act 2004, or under the National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2019.

Commercial small-scale filming and photography:

• is limited to one camera operator and one assistant
• requires only low-level equipment use (for example, backpackable equipment, single tripod)
• does not use structures, film sets or talent
• does not include the use of drones
• does not exclude an area from use by other park users
• has negligible potential to impact on environmental values.

Wedding photography generally falls into this category. Commercial small-scale filming and photography is subject to a streamlined application and approval process.

Filming means filming or photography ‘for sale, hire or profit’ undertaken by commercial and not-for-profit entities (including the ABC), regardless of the final delivery platform for the content (TV, streaming services, internet, print media, social media and so on). Commercial filming includes, but is not limited to:

• advertisements and social media content (for example, YouTube channel or similar) intended to be used for profit purposes
• news and current affairs, including weather reporting
• feature films, dramas, series, sporting and recreational events, and the like
• travel programs
• documentaries
• educational films
• tourism promotions, including government-sponsored campaigns. 

Minister means the Minister administering the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

Park means a reserve gazetted under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, including a national park, nature reserve, historic site, Aboriginal area, state conservation area, karst conservation reserve, regional park or any land acquired by the Minister under Part 11 of the Act. It includes a park managed jointly with the Aboriginal community under Part 4A of the Act.

Photography includes, but is not limited to, the capture of images for hard-copy or electronic publication via:

• magazines
• postcards, calendars, clothing and the like
• artistic production (such as wildlife landscape photography)
• commercial websites
• promotional material
• books
• advertisements
• commercial photography of private events, including professional wedding photography (noting separate filming approval may not be required if already covered by approval to hold the event).