If you have ever tried to price a corporate video, you will know there is no single sticker price. One brand pays a few thousand for a sleek internal piece, another invests tens of thousands for a polished campaign asset that works across TV, web, and socials. The gap can feel confusing. This guide unpacks the moving parts so you can see where your money goes, what smart trade offs look like, and what to expect in Sydney.
The short answer: what most businesses spend
- Entry level corporate videos in Sydney typically start around AUD 3,000 to AUD 6,000 for a simple half day shoot with a small crew and straightforward edit.
- Mid range projects land between AUD 8,000 and AUD 25,000. This is the most common bracket for brand stories, customer interviews, product explainers, and recruitment pieces with stronger creative, lighting, and motion graphics.
- High end productions start from AUD 30,000 and can exceed AUD 100,000 when you add multiple shoot days, complex locations, actors, advanced VFX, original music, and deliverables in multiple formats.
So, how much does it cost to produce a corporate video? It depends on scope, but most Sydney businesses commissioning a quality two to three minute piece with interviews, b roll, and clean graphics invest between AUD 12,000 and AUD 30,000.
Why video production feels expensive, and what you are buying
You are paying for time, expertise, and risk management across three stages, each with specialist skills.
- Pre production: concepting, scriptwriting, storyboarding, casting, permits, call sheets, and logistics. Good prep reduces shoot hours and edit revisions, which saves money overall.
- Production: the filming day is where crew, cameras, lenses, lighting, audio, and direction come together. Efficient crews capture beautiful, usable footage with fewer takes and less overtime.
- Post production: editing, colour grading, sound design, motion graphics, VFX, and revision rounds shape the final story and polish.
When someone asks why is video production so expensive, the realistic answer is that you are hiring a small, mobile studio with creative leadership, safety compliance, and finishing capabilities, all coordinated to deliver areliable outcome on a fixed timeline.
Key cost drivers in Sydney
Use these levers to shape budget and value.
- Concept and scripting: simple interview led stories cost less than scripted scenes with actors. Script development can range from AUD 500 to AUD 5,000 depending on depth and research.
- Crew size: a lean crew might be a director and a cinematographer with a sound recordist. Larger shoots add a gaffer, grip, art department, makeup, and a producer. Day rates per person range roughly from AUD600 to AUD 1,800.
- Camera and lighting package: single camera mirrorless setups keep costs tight, while cinema cameras, prime lens kits, and larger lighting units add both quality and cost. Equipment packages often run from AUD500 to AUD 3,000 per day.
- Locations and permits: office interiors are usually free. Public spaces, council permits, parking, and traffic control add fees. Expect AUD 300 to AUD 2,000 for permits and logistics on typical corporate shoots in Sydney.
- Talent: internal presenters are cost effective. Professional actors, voice over artists, and extras can add AUD 600 to AUD 3,000 per day per person, plus agency and usage if required.
- Travel and time: Sydney traffic and spread out locations increase crew hours. A single consolidated location is more cost efficient than a three location day.
- Edit scope: a simple cut with music may be AUD 1,500 to AUD 4,000. Add motion graphics, captions, multiple aspect ratios, and advanced colour, and you can reach AUD 5,000 to AUD 15,000+ in post.
How much does it cost to hire a video production company?
In Sydney, a reputable boutique team quotes the full project, not just a day rate. For a standard corporate piece you might see a transparent line up of pre production, shoot day(s), post production, and contingencies, totaling between AUD 10,000 and AUD 35,000. If you only need a single day with a small team and a basic edit, budgeting AUD 5,000 to AUD 8,000 is reasonable.
If your brief is still forming, start with discovery. A short workshop helps set objectives, audience, and deliverables, which produces a tighter estimate and avoids scope creep.
What does a videographer cost in Sydney?
Solo operator or two person teams are ideal for quick turnarounds like executive messages or event coverage. A videographer in Sydney often charges AUD 800 to AUD 1,800 per day for filming only. Add sound, lighting, gear, and editing, and practical packages land between AUD 1,800 and AUD 4,500 for a simple deliverable. If you want a cinematic look with controlled lighting and strong audio, stepping up to a small crew will improve quality for a modest increase in cost.
How much to produce a 10 minute video?
Length is a factor, but complexity matters more. A 10 minute event recap built from a single camera and minimal graphics could be AUD 5,000 to AUD 12,000. A 10 minute hero film with multiple interviews, b roll across locations, scripted links, and rich motion graphics will more likely sit between AUD 20,000 and AUD 60,000. Longer edits require more shoot coverage, more data to manage, and more edit hours, so plan your content architecture early to keep it efficient.
Ways to stretch your budget without losing quality
- Shoot for multiple outputs in one go: capture enough coverage to cut a two minute brand film, a 30 second cutdown, and a vertical teaser. Small add ons in the edit are cheaper than new shoot days.
- Consolidate locations: pick a single site where you can stage two or three looks with lighting changes, rather than moving across the city.
- Lock scripts and schedules: tight pre production reduces overtime and pickups.
- Use real people wisely: employees and customers often feel authentic and save on casting fees, with clear briefing and on set coaching.
A quick look at Sydney market examples
- Customer testimonial, one interview, office location, half day shoot, basic graphics: AUD 3,500 to AUD 7,000.
- Brand story with three interviews, two locations, one day shoot, licensed music, motion graphics package: AUD 12,000 to AUD 25,000.
- Product launch with scripted scenes, actors, studio, two shoot days, advanced motion graphics, multiple aspect ratios: AUD 35,000 to AUD 80,000.
How we quote at Blue Dot Productions
We tailor every quote to your objectives, audience, and distribution plan. In pre production we define the creative, map the schedule, and assign the right crew. During production we manage direction, cinematography, lighting, and sound with a calm, collaborative set culture. In post we edit, grade, and craft motion graphics with room for structured feedback. Pricing is fully itemized so you see where each dollar goes, and we adjust scope in real time if priorities change.
If you are exploring options for corporate video production Sydney, and want a clear, human process, we are here to help.
When to invest more
Consider a higher tier budget when the video must carry brand perception for years, drive high value conversions, or live across paid media. Superior direction, performance coaching, lighting, and finishing elevate credibility, which often improves watch time and conversion. Viewed this way, video is not a cost line, it is a compounding asset.
Final takeaways
- Expect AUD 8,000 to AUD 25,000 for a strong, professional corporate piece in Sydney, with simpler options below and premium builds above.
- Complexity, not just length, drives price. Crew, locations, talent, and post production are the main levers.
- Plan early, shoot smart, and design for multiple deliverables to stretch your budget.
Ready to talk through your brief and get a transparent estimate that fits your goals?
