Events & filming FAQs

You need to contact VicRoads for a permit if you will be conducting any filming on an arterial road or freeway. 

Read A Guide to Filming on Victorian Roads [DOCX 532 Kb] to gain a full understanding of the guidelines, requirements and process of applying for a permit to film on Victorian roads.

You will also need to apply for approval from VicRoads for filming on a local road if:

• there will be impacts on traffic
• any unregistered, modified (i.e. with camera mounts) or specialised filming vehicles will be used
• exemptions from certain requirements of the Road Safety Act and associated rules and regulations are required.

You need to contact the relevant local council for a permit to film on a local road. However, you may also need to apply to VicRoads for approval (refer toWhen do I need to apply to VicRoads for a filming permit? for instances when you would need to contact VicRoads). If you are unsure whether your request will need to be approved by VicRoads, you should contact us for advice at vicroadsfilming@roads.vic.gov.au or call (03) 9093 1486.

Generally speaking, arterial roads are those which carry heavy traffic in and around urban areas. These roads, as well as freeways and highways, are managed by VicRoads. If you are still unsure whether a road is an arterial or council road, you can refer to the Melway directory or Maps of Declared Roads.

As EastLink and CityLink are privately owned and operated tollways, the relevant road authority will need to be contacted for permission to film. For Citylink this is Transurban and for Eastlink it is ConnectEast.

You will also need to apply to VicRoads for approval if any unregistered or modified vehicles will be used, or if exemptions from the Road Safety Act are required (refer to When do I need to apply to VicRoads for a filming permit?).

If any road rules or regulations will be broken in the course of filming, you will need to let us know and apply for the necessary exemptions from the Road Safety Act, Road Rules or Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations. Some examples of situations where an exemption to the act, rules or regulations is required include:

• a person travelling in the back of a trailer
• a driver or passenger travelling without a seatbelt
• someone riding a bicycle without a helmet
• vehicles driving on the wrong side of the road
• vehicles exceeding the speed limit
• vehicles being fitted with external camera mounts (or other modifications)
• vehicles being used are unregistered.

If you are unsure whether you will require an exemption you should contact us at vicroadsfilming@roads.vic.gov.au or on (03) 9093 1486 to discuss. We can help you determine which, if any, road rules you will require exemptions for.

Yes. Filming permits are required for all types of filming, including still photography, film, television and commercials.

VicRoads will consider all requests for filming. However, we are unlikely to grant a permit for filming if it is:

• likely to pose a risk to other road users
• on the West Gate Bridge
• on roads with heavy traffic which may disrupt traffic
• during the morning and afternoon peak (6.30-10am and 3-7pm)
• on key tourist routes during peak tourist and holiday periods
• in a location where there are scheduled activities, such as roadworks
• likely to interfere with public transport.

If we consider any part of your request to be unsuitable for one of the above reasons, we will work with you to try and find a more suitable location and time.

All filming applications must include:

• filming date, time and location (with an attached map and Melway reference)
• brief description of the production
• contact details (including name, address, email and phone number)
• explanation of how filming will be conducted
• details of any special circumstances.

We may also require other documents such as a Traffic Management Plan and completed Memorandum of Authorisation [XLSX 62 Kb] and Unregistered Vehicle Permit applications, depending on what your request involves. For more information about what information and documents you must provide as part of your application, refer to the filming application checklist [PDF 290 Kb] or contact us via email at vicroadsfilming@roads.vic.gov.au or call (03) 9093 1486 to discuss the requirements.

Once all the necessary information and documents are received, VicRoads requires a minimum of 7-10 business days to process a filming application. Extra time may be needed for more complex requests (such as changes to infrastructure or changes to the speed limit), so it is best to contact us as early as you can.

We understand that sometimes a schedule may change due to unforeseen circumstances. We will always try to accommodate your request; however in some situations this may not be possible. If any circumstances or details of your application change, it is important that you advise us by contacting vicroadsfilming@roads.vic.gov.au or calling (03) 9093 1486 as soon as possible and send through all the revised documents.

You will need to provide a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) and a completed Memorandum of Authorisation (MoA) [XLSX 26 Kb] form with your application if there will be any impact or disruption to traffic or road users at all during filming. As most filming that is conducted on the road will impact traffic in some way, in most cases you will need to provide a TMP and an MoA form.

VicRoads does not charge a fee for filming permits. However, fees do apply for Unregistered Vehicle Permits and where a government gazette or changes to infrastructure are required.

You should contact the necessary authorities (including council and police) for approval before you contact VicRoads. VicRoads will not contact a council or the police to request a permit on your behalf. Where necessary we may liaise with police or council to confirm details, but essentially it is your responsibility to arrange the necessary permits from these authorities.

We understand that sometimes a schedule may change due to unforeseen circumstances. We will always try to accommodate your request, however in some situations this may not be possible.

If any circumstances or details of your application change, it is important that you advise us as soon as possible and send through all the revised documents. This will help us to begin processing your application straight away and provide you with the necessary permits as soon as possible.

Yes. The usual permit requirements still apply, regardless of whether police will be present at filming. You will need to send us a copy of the Police Operations Order to help us process your application.

If VicRoads has already provided you with a permit to film on the roads but filming is delayed at the last minute due to bad weather, you should contact us as soon as possible and advise of the new date for filming. If this new date is suitable (ie it doesn’t coincide with planned roadworks or major events), then we will provide you with a revised permit.

Filming cannot take place until the necessary permits have been provided. If you are due to film and have not yet received your permit, you should contact us at vicroadsfilming@roads.vic.gov.au or on (03) 9093 1486 to discuss. Any filming that takes place without the necessary permits will be treated seriously and may result in production being forced to leave the site and future requests being denied.

You should contact us at vicroadsfilming@roads.vic.gov.au or on (03) 9093 1486 to discuss your application.