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Video Production for Government Departments and Agencies: Our Work With the Public Sector
Government departments and agencies need video that is clear, accurate and accessible to every Australian. That is the work we have been doing for years. Global Pictures has produced animated explainers, 3D animation, training videos, case studies and public health promotions for federal and state government clients.
This article shows some of that work and explains how we run government projects, from the first brief through to the final accessible deliverables.
Government Projects We Have Produced
Here is a selection of the videos we have made for government clients. Each one had a different audience and a different job to do.
Medicare: Animated Explainer Video
We produced an animated explainer video for Medicare. Medicare touches almost every Australian, so the message had to be simple, accurate and easy to follow for a very broad audience. Animation let us communicate in a way that would be hard to film, and keep the tone friendly and neutral.
Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA): 2D Animated Explainer
For the Net Zero Economy Authority, we created a 2D animated explainer that informs stakeholders about the role of the NZEA. A new authority has to explain who it is and what it does quickly. 2D animation turned a complex subject into a clear visual story that stakeholders could understand in a few minutes.
StartingBlocks.gov.au: 3D Animation
We produced 3D animation for StartingBlocks.gov.au, the Australian Government website that helps families with early childhood education and care. The animation directs parents and carers to the Starting Blocks website so they can make informed decisions about their child's care. 3D gave the campaign a neutral, unoffencive but polished look that suits a family audience.
Department of Finance: Case Study Videos
We filmed case study videos for the Department of Finance discussing the benefits of Australia's new Digital ID in real estate. Case studies work well in government because they show real outcomes through the people involved. Instead of describing a program, the video lets the people who delivered it explain what changed and why it matters.
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program: Promotional Videos
We produced promotional videos for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. The goal was to encourage eligible Australians to do their free bowel screening test. The video uses ambassadors from across the country, all delivering one unified message. Public health messaging lands better when people see someone like themselves on screen.
NSW Health: Training Videos
We made training videos for NSW Health. Health training content has to be precise. Procedures, terminology and on-screen practice all need to be correct, and the videos need to work for staff across many sites and roles. We worked closely with subject matter experts so every step on screen matched approved practice.
More Public Sector Work
Our government and public sector work also includes training content for the NSW Government and WorkCover NSW, work for the NSW Department of Education, and "Escape", a film made with Sutherland Shire Family Services and the Australian Government for the "Pull Ya Head In" domestic violence awareness campaign.
What Makes Government Video Different
Government video has the same craft as any other production. The difference is in the requirements around it. These are the areas we plan for from day one.
Accessibility Is Not Optional
Government content has to be accessible. Most agencies work to WCAG 2.2 Level AA, which means captions, transcripts and, where needed, audio description. We build these into the schedule and budget at the start, not as an afterthought. That also affects the creative. On-screen text needs to stay up long enough to read, colours need enough contrast, and key information can't rely on visuals alone.
Plain Language and Accuracy
Government audiences are broad. A video might need to reach people with low literacy, people who speak English as a second language, or people who are anxious about the subject. We write scripts in plain language and check every fact with your subject matter experts. If you need versions in other languages, we plan the edit so translated voiceovers and subtitles can be added without rebuilding the video.
Approvals and Stakeholders
Government projects often have several layers of sign-off: the program team, communications, legal, and sometimes a minister's office. We map the approval chain at the start and build review rounds into the timeline. Clear scripts and storyboards approved before production mean fewer surprises later.
Brand and Campaign Guidelines
Departments and agencies have their own brand rules, and Australian Government campaigns also follow whole-of-government guidelines for the use of the Coat of Arms and campaign advertising. We work inside those rules, and we'll ask for your style guide early so the look is right from the first draft.
Timing and Caretaker Periods
Elections affect government communications. During caretaker periods, many campaigns are paused. We help you plan production around these dates, so finished assets are ready to launch when the time is right.
Animation or Live Action: Choosing the Right Format
Most government videos fall into one of two approaches. Often the best answer is a mix.
2D animation suits explainers about policy, processes and services. It is easy to update when details change, and it avoids featuring identifiable people. Our NZEA explainer is a good example.
3D animation gives a more polished, premium feel and can show environments and objects in detail. It works well for public campaigns, like our Starting Blocks work.
Live action builds trust through real people. Case studies, ambassador campaigns and training videos usually need it, as with our Department of Finance and NSW Health projects.
A mix of both works when you need real faces alongside data or processes that are hard to film.
How We Run a Government Video Production
We guide you through each stage so you always know what's happening and what you need to approve.
Brief and scoping: We confirm the audience, the message, the channels, accessibility needs and the approval chain.
Script and storyboard: We write in plain language and get sign-off before anything is filmed or animated.
Production: We film with professional crews in every capital city, or produce the animation with our 2D and 3D team.
Post-production: Editing, animation, colour, sound and voiceover, with review rounds built into the timeline.
Accessible delivery: Captions, transcripts, audio description if required, and cutdowns for web, social and internal channels.
You work directly with the people making your video. There is no handover to a team you have never met.
Bottom Line
If you're from a government agency and you're looking for video production, animation or stills photography services - Global Pictures can help. We've worked on a broad range of government projects, understand your needs and will take you through the process from start to finish. We're also an approved NSW Government supplier and can be found on the Procurement portal. If you'd like to speak with us about your production, simply hit the contact us button to get in touch.
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