On-camera talent in Australian TV commercials is governed by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) Commercial Television Agreement. Key cost factors are usage rights (free-to-air, BVOD, digital), the duration of use (commonly six to twelve months) and exclusivity terms. Non-union talent is cheaper upfront but creates IP risk; always use a written agreement regardless.
Using a commercial track in a TV commercial requires a sync licence from the publisher and a master licence from the record label. These can cost $2,000 to $50,000 or more depending on the track's profile and the scope of use. Production music libraries (Musicbed, Artlist, Epidemic Sound) provide broadcast-cleared tracks at flat annual fees, which is the standard approach for most Australian advertisers.
Any person appearing in the commercial must sign a model release. Any private property used in the shoot requires a property release. For identifiable products of third-party brands, a clearance is needed to avoid trademark issues. Collect these during production, not after, because post-shoot releases are harder to obtain.
Australian TV commercials require classification from Commercial Advice (CAD), a service of Free TV Australia. The classification determines what time of day the ad can be broadcast. Gambling, alcohol and high-sugar food advertising have specific restrictions. Factor CAD turnaround (typically three to five business days) into your production timeline.
Yes, for the right audience and message. TV still reaches mass audiences, builds brand trust and creates cultural moments. It works best when paired with digital for full-funnel coverage.
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TPR Media explains TV commercial talent and music licensing in Australia: MEAA session and usage rates, music sync and master licences, model and property releases, and CAD classification requirements before broadcast.