Film and media production services businesses must abide by current restrictions, which are summarised below.
All businesses or workplaces with on-site operations must have a COVIDSafe Plan and have a responsibility to protect the health and safety of workers, clients, contractors and the general public.
Current restrictions for film and media production services
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- every Victorian business must have a COVIDSafe Plan, including those with on-site operations as well as home-based businesses.
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- any shared space, or publicly accessible space, in a workplace must apply a density quotient of one person per two square metres when electronic record keeping capability is in place, such as the Victorian Government QR Code Service. If electronic record keeping is not used, a density quotient of one person per four square metres applies
- additional density quotient requirements apply for film and media production service industries.
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Record keeping applies to all Victorian workplaces.
- employers must keep a record of all workers and visitors who attend the workplace for longer than 15 minutes, including first name, contact number, date and time of visit and areas of the workplace visited
- employers are strongly encouraged to use electronic record keeping for this purpose. This includes the
Victorian Government’s QR Code Service - employers must keep records to show compliance with the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s . This includes keeping logs created during the time of directions being in force in line with record keeping requirements, including work premises rosters, time and attendance records and payroll data.
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- face masks must be carried at all times when you leave home
- face masks are mandatory in airports, hospitals, large retail stores over 2000 sqm, shopping centres, indoor markets, in taxis and rideshares, on public transport, and on domestic flights to and from Victoria
- wearing a face mask is strongly recommended when you can’t keep 1.5 metres distance from other people
- for more information, visit: Face masks page.
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- where a workplace has a publicly accessible space, employers must display signage at each public entry to each indoor and outdoor space, indicating maximum capacity, face mask restrictions where required, COVIDSafe hygiene and physical distancing requirements.
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- employers should ensure shared spaces and public spaces are cleaned with disinfectant regularly, with high-touch surfaces cleaned at least twice each day. Shared equipment should be cleaned between uses
- for more information, visit: Preventing infection in the workplace page.
Frequently asked questions
Updated: 13 January 2021
Read below for answers to frequently asked questions by businesses in the film and media production sector.
Find out more about Victoria’s COVIDSafe Summer.
What film and media production activities are allowed in Victoria during COVIDSafe Summer?
All screen and media production, publishing and broadcasting activities are allowed, including location scouting, new screen productions, and on-site studio access.
Fitted face masks must be worn when you are in public indoor spaces unless you have a lawful reason not . Face masks continue to be mandatory on public transport and when in taxis or ride share vehicles.
Lawful reasons for not wearing a face mask include people whose professions require clear enunciation or visibility of the mouth, such as actors during filming.
Workers should work from home if they can. The employer must have a COVIDSafe Plan in place. It should include cleaning of shared equipment.
Can sound production/recording operate on-site?
Yes. During COVIDSafe Summer all media production, publishing and broadcasting is allowed, including on-site sound production and recording.
Fitted face masks must be worn when you are in public indoor spaces unless you have a lawful reason not . Face masks continue to be mandatory on public transport and when in taxis or ride share vehicles. Lawful reasons for not wearing a face mask include people whose professions require clear enunciation or visibility of the mouth, such as actors during filming.
It is mandatory for every Victorian business with on-site operations to have a COVIDSafe Plan. Find out more information about COVIDSafe Plans.
When actors/talent have been through hair and make-up and are waiting to go in front of the camera, can they wear a face shield instead of a face mask?
No. Fitted face masks must be worn when you are in public indoor spaces unless you have a lawful reason not .
In settings where a face mask is required, you must wear a fitted face mask that covers the nose and mouth. This means actors or talent must wear a face mask when they have been through hair and make-up and are waiting to go in front of the camera. A face shield on its own does not meet this requirement.
For more information, visit our Face masks page.
Reviewed 19 January 2021