Video production cost in Australia
The cost of video production in Australia for government or corporate organisations can vary significantly. However, this article will give you some insights in how videographers or video production agencies charge in Australia.
Some videographers charge in the following formats:
– Charge by the hour or by the day.
– Charge by time & materials & travel.
– Charge by the number of videos.
– Charge by the size of the production or video type, for example, low-end production, mid-range or high-end production.
– Charge by production stage, for example, pre-production, production and post-productions.
The best way to get quotes from videographers or video production agencies in Sydney, is to simply write a brief of your desired deliverables. Ask at least 3 different video production companies for a quote.
How much does a videographer charge by the hour?
On the low end, a Sydney videographer freelancer would charge a filming rate of $350 AUD per day, plus an editing rate $50 AUD per hour. This is usually a new videographer who is graduate level or had a career change into videography with 1 year experience.
On the average mid-range, a Sydney videographer contractor would charge a filming rate of $700 AUD to $1,300 per day, plus an editing rate of $70-$90 AUD per hour. This is commonly an experience videographer who does the shooting and editing by themselves.
On the high end, a freelance videographer in Sydney would charge a filming flat rate of $2000 AUD per day, plus an editing rate of $110+ AUD per hour. This is generally a highly experience videographer with industry experience in film & TV.
These prices mentioned above is a general role of thumb for short, straightforward videos with minimal locations and post-production needs.
You need to think about what your manager would like to add unto the video. Do you now need to add:
– Animation?
– Captions?
– Film different people from regional locations?
– Filming permits or studio hire?
– Voice over recording?
– Add a faster turnaround time?
– Or more revisions and edits?
Therefore, if your brief is not fully complete, and you are just looking for videographer prices and costs as a rough guide, you will most likely receive general quotes around $3,800 AUD to $5,900 AUD which includes: 3 minute finished video, a planning meeting, consultation and script advise, 1-2 day camera operator hire, cinema camera kit, standard lighting package, standard editing inclusions, royalty free music, simple graphics & image overlays and travel within Sydney metro.
Let’s go back to the prices we mentioned about videographer freelance flat rate fees. You might say, “Well it’s not that hard. We want a simple video about our client talking about our project. It shouldn’t cost that much.” Well, it is not that simple.
Usually, a freelance videographer cannot manage a shoot like that on their own. Why? Because the videographer needs to bring their camera, their tripod, their lights and light stands, and power cables, and of course, they need to bump in and bump out.
Also, you need to consider the fact that your interviewee, say it is your CEO, client or customer are not media trained. They would most likely not know how to talk to a camera with the lights in their face. This means, that they would do multiple takes and could take a few hours to get the shot right.
So therefore, it is advised to hire a video production company of a small crew. There is a director helping your interviewee speak and other crew members operating the camera, audio and lights.
Once the filming has finished, you also need to consider, all the video editing required. Video editing is a special skill that requires creativeness and attention to detail. It also requires your input too, in which you have to watch the draft video and provide any amendments. If you add more to the scope of work, you might be charged additional editing fees. Remember to look at the original quote to see what revisions are included.
So the 4 paragraphs above were only covering a case study or interview video with B-Roll within Metro Sydney, what happens if you are looking for a series of training or educational content to promote your program or initiative? And you need actors, a shoot location, a script and you require more production needs. This is when the pricing for your project will require a tender process because it might be a mid-range video production.
For example, the final deliverables for your program requires 10 educational videos to promote a positive initiative targeting the youth. The video production agency will quote for the following expenses: scripting, storyboarding, location scouting, permits, crew, equipment, drone, talent/actors, makeup, wardrobe, props, studio hire or location, editing, music licensing, voice over, text, captions, travel, accommodation and more. In this case, it is best to shoot within 2 weeks and then the rest of the project is editing. But the filming must be done correctly. So for something like this, you might be looking up to $120,000 AUD for 2 weeks worth of shooting.
Here are some examples of a Video Production Cost in Sydney Australia:
Basic video package price range $2,500 to $5,000 AUD.
Standard video package costs $5,500 to $11,000 AUD.
Premium video package guide $11,000 to $22,000 AUD.
Deluxe video package range $20,000 to $50,000 AUD
Custom video package $60,000+ AUD
Now you might be like,” woah why is a videographer expensive? I can ask the in-house media team”. But we have heard so many times, that the in-house video team are swapped with projects and it takes them a long time to produce your video. That is why it is best to hire a small crew of video professionals who can deliver your video faster.
But let’s rewind. Let’s say that you require a video to promote a Government program and it includes going to 1 regional location in NSW, which requires travel time. You would get a quote around $6,000 to $9,000 because it includes the usual videographer half day shoot or full day shoot rates, however, they will add travel either by vehicle or flight, plus hire car, accommodation and additional associated costs.
So what is a typical price guide for a Sydney, Australian videographer? Generally speaking a half day shoot could be $2,500 AUD and a full day shoot could be $5,500 AUD. However, if there are more subjects or more people to shoot, there would be an add on of camera, audio and lighting equipment.
Australian Video Production Pricing Guide in 2025
Charge by the hour or by the day = $100 AUD per hour or $500 per day.
Charge by time & materials & travel = $2,500 AUD for half day or $5,550 for a full day, plus charge for equipment hire for $1,500 and travel call out fee of $200.
Charge by the number of videos = $1,500 AUD per simple video
Charge by the size of the production = Low-end production $3,500 to $7,000 AUD,
mid-range production $7,000 to $15,00 AUD, high-end production $20,000+
Charge by video type = Basic corporate video $3,500-$6,500 AUD, Mid-range promotional video $7,000 to $15,000 AUD, High-End commercial video $20,000-$50,000.
Charge by production stage = pre-production $5,500, production $7,200 x the number of shoot days, post-production $8,500+ depending on the hours of editing required based on shoot days.
