How Much Does Video Production Cost for Queensland Government

This is the question government communications teams ask most often and suppliers answer least helpfully. “It depends” is technically correct and practically useless. Here's a more honest answer.

Why the range is so wide

Government video production spans an enormous scope. A single-camera interview for internal communications, a multi-location behaviour change campaign for statewide broadcast, a five-minute documentary about a regional program, and an animated explainer for a digital platform are all “video production for government.” The costs are not comparable.

What drives the cost isn't the label on the project. It's the scope -- the number of shooting days, the locations involved, the complexity of the post-production, the talent requirements, the accessibility obligations, and the approval and revision process.

Reference points by project type

These are realistic budget ranges based on Queensland Government production work. They're not quotes. They're reference points.

Single-subject interview or talking-head video for internal or digital use. Single day, minimal crew, straightforward post-production. $2,500 to $6,000 depending on location, crew size, and post complexity.

Short-form explainer animation. Script development, illustration or motion graphics, voiceover, sound design. 60 to 90 seconds. $8,000 to $20,000 depending on visual complexity and revision rounds.

Social campaign content package. Two to three short videos for digital platforms, developed from a single shoot day or brief. $10,000 to $25,000 depending on talent, locations, and post-production scope.

Hero awareness or behaviour change video for digital and social. Three to five minutes, one to two shoot days, professional talent or staff subjects, full post-production. $25,000 to $60,000 depending on complexity, locations, and accessibility requirements.

Television commercial for government campaign. 30 to 60 seconds, broadcast quality, multiple shoot locations, professional cast, full post-production including captioning and broadcast delivery. $40,000 to $120,000 depending on scope.

Multi-format campaign package. TVC plus social cuts, digital display, and supporting assets developed from a single production. Typically 30 to 50 percent more than the TVC alone, depending on the number of formats.

Large-scale documentary or multi-episode content program. Multiple shoot days, multiple locations, interview-led production, extended post-production. $80,000 to $250,000 and above depending on scope and timeline.

What isn't included in these ranges

Travel and accommodation for remote or regional productions is typically charged as a direct cost on top of production fees. Talent fees for professional actors or on-screen presenters are typically itemised separately. Music licensing, stock footage licensing, and platform delivery fees are usually additional.

Accessibility compliance work -- captioning, audio description, Easy Read versions -- should be budgeted as a production line item. It's not optional for government work and it's not free.

What to do with this information

Include a budget range in your brief. A supplier who knows the budget can tell you what's achievable within it and where trade-offs might be needed. A supplier who doesn't know the budget will quote what they think you want rather than what's right for the project.

If a quote comes back significantly below these ranges, ask what's been left out. If it comes back significantly above, ask what's been included. Both directions are worth understanding before you engage.

Welcome to the Fold

We produce video content for Queensland Government agencies across the full range of formats and budgets. We're appointed to the Queensland All-of-Government Creative Services Panel (GGS0120-25) and six other government panels. If you want to talk through scope and budget before you write the brief, get in touch.