Much of the Northern Territory is Aboriginal land. If you are seeking to film in any Aboriginal controlled areas you will require both a permit to enter the lands and a separate permit to take commercial images. In addition, there are many other places that require shooting permits in Central Australia, including all Northern Territory parks. Please be aware that permits to shoot at Uluru/Kata Tjuta National Park (Ayers Rock/The Olgas) are very difficult to obtain, and some areas are not open for filming purposes. The parks management requires at least one months advance notice to process your request.
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Climate is something important to consider when planning a shoot in Central Australia. It is wise to plan your visit for winter, June to August, when the days are clear and temperatures average a minimum of 5 degrees Celsius at night and 20 degrees during the hottest part of the day. From November to February it can be very hot, with temperatures often exceeding 38 degrees C (100 degrees F). Summer is also when we are most likely to have rain, however cloudy days and/or rain is rare at any time of year.

Most importantly if you are bringing a crew you need to consider the climatic change that your crew will be experiencing. It is unreasonable and dangerous to assume that you will be able to work at a “normal” pace when in a radically different climate. If you have to shoot over summer you will need to adjust your schedule so you are shooting only in the first and last hours of the day. However, the longer day light hours will compensate to some degree for this adjustment.

You may find it cheaper and safer to use a local crew who knows the conditions and environment in which you will be working. Please contact us to discuss your needs and the possible options.

Screen Australia has produced a protocol guide, Pathways & Protocols: a filmmaker’s guide to working with Indigenous people, culture and concepts, which covers documentaries and drama, including short dramas, feature films and television drama, setting out a framework to assist and encourage recognition and respect for the images, knowledge and stories of Indigenous people as represented in all these formats.

The protocol includes principles for:

• working on Indigenous content
• working with Indigenous people
• working in Indigenous communities

It also includes sections on:

• Copyright law and related legal issues such as contracts
• Case studies on working with Indigenous content in both drama and documentary productions
• Information for Indigenous communities on their rights and obligations when working on film projects
• Information for non-Indigenous filmmakers working with Indigenous subject matter
• A general contacts directory
• A resource bibliography.

The protocol is now available as a downloadable PDF from the Screen Australia Website here.

Other resources

Cultural Protocols for Indigenous Reporting in the Media (Message Stick Online, ABC, NSW)

Message Stick has produced this Indigenous Protocol site hoping to assist journalists, filmmakers, producers and documentary makers to understand the importance of abiding by Indigenous Protocols. This document has been written as a guide to help bridge the gap between the needs of Television and Film makers and the Indigenous people and their customs (refer p.37 for ethics and codes of conduct).

The Greater Perspective, Protocol and Guidelines for the Production of Film and Television on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities ( A publication by Lester Bostock, SBS Television)

This popular publication by respected Indigenous elder Lester Bostock was first produced in 1990, and has since been reprinted and put online. Although produced to assist people working in television and radio it has an excellent introduction and overview about Indigenous culture and history, as well as how to understand the different ways that Indigenous and non-Indigenous people communicate, and key elements requiring respect and sensitivity.