Aerial video for events and local businesses
Capture drone footage of events, venues, farms and worksites for promo videos and updates.
- A$3k-9k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
You provide aerial photos and video for weddings, festivals, sports days, tourism businesses, farms and construction sites, either as raw footage or as a short edited clip.
Your first three steps
- Check CASA's requirements for commercial flying and for flying near people or at events
- Film a couple of free or low-cost jobs, such as a local club event or small business, to build a showreel
- Put together a simple price list and share your showreel with event planners, tourism operators and builders
Who pays
Event organisers, wedding couples and planners, tourism operators, farmers, construction companies and local businesses.
How it makes money
A price per job or half-day, plus an editing fee for finished videos. Construction and farm clients may book regular progress shoots.
Skills that help
- Safe drone flying around people and busy sites
- Video editing and storytelling
- Planning and communicating with clients
Watch out for
- CASA rules on flying over or near crowds, which can be strict, so check what is allowed and whether you need approvals
- Event venues and councils may need permission for drone use, so ask early
- Public liability insurance and drone cover, and whether event organisers require proof
- Privacy concerns when filming people, so check your state's rules and get consent where needed
- Editing time can be larger than flying time, so price for it
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: aerial video for events and local businesses
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a drone video business for events?
Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $9,000, depending on your drone, camera, editing setup and insurance. These are estimates only, so compare them with current equipment and software prices.
How much can an event drone videographer earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $3,500, depending on how many jobs you book and how much editing you offer. That is revenue before costs, and these figures are estimates only.
What should I check before filming events with a drone in Australia?
Check CASA rules on flying over or near crowds and any approvals you need. Also check venue and council permission, public liability and drone cover, whether organisers require proof, and your state's privacy rules and consent when filming people.
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Photo: lukasbieri on Pixabay