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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do Free Pick-Ups and Drop-Offs Work?
At Empire Camera Rentals, we want you to have maximum time on set, not paying for days you’re not shooting. That’s why pick-up and return days are free on all bookings.
Pick-up is available from 3:00 PM on the day before your first shooting day
Return is requested by 10:00 AM on the day after your final shooting day
When placing your booking through our webstore, simply select the day before and the day after your planned shoot dates. The system will calculate your hire correctly with no extra daily charge. If you require different timing due to shoot logistics or travel, contact us and we’ll do our best to assist.
Are You Open on Weekends?
At this stage, we are not open on weekends. Our standard hours are Monday to Friday.
What If I Need Gear for a Monday Morning Shoot?
If you need equipment ready for Monday morning, you can book your pick-up for 10:00 AM Monday and return by 10:00 AM Tuesday at the standard one-day hire rate. Because we are closed over the weekend, Monday morning hires are fully accommodated without additional weekend charges.
Please note that if you wish to collect earlier than 10:00 AM, an additional cost may be incurred. All Monday orders are prepared on Friday afternoon, so if you need to test gear or lenses in advance, reach out and we will book you in with our rental team to prep the order together.
If you need collection outside these hours, contact us to arrange alternatives.
What If I Only Need Gear for a Single Day on Friday?
Due to weekend closure, Friday hires count as two-day rentals if you need the gear for the full Friday shooting day, including overnight storage. Sadly, at this stage, a small number of repeated hires attempting to bypass the system and hire for three days while only paying for one has spoiled it for the majority.
If your return would have landed on a weekend and you are looking to hire just for Friday, we may add an additional single day to adjust your order to a Monday pick-up. This is always handled on a case-by-case basis, and we will do our best to help while explaining the reasoning clearly.
We do offer out-of-hours returns, but these may incur an additional fee depending on timing. Contact us to discuss your requirements.
Public Holiday Operations
We are generally open on all public holidays unless otherwise announced through our social channels. Pick-ups and returns on public holidays incur an additional surcharge. Check our socials or contact us ahead of time if your booking falls on a public holiday.
Can Someone Collect Gear On My Behalf?
Another member of your crew or production team can collect your rental. Notify us ahead of time so we can authorise the collection and ensure a smooth handover. The collector must present valid photo ID at pick-up.
What Identification Is Required?
All new renters are required to provide 100 points of valid ID and complete a quick in-person verification at our Melbourne location. If you are interstate or unable to visit before your booking, contact us to discuss remote verification options. Renters must be Australian or New Zealand citizens or residents.
Do You Offer Delivery?
Yes, currently we are a Melbourne-based rental house. We also appreciate knowing if our equipment is going interstate. We provide flat rate deliveries for all metro Melbourne locations and rate-driven deliveries for areas outside metro Melbourne. Contact us to discuss scheduling and pricing.
Student and Not-For-Profit Discounts
We proudly support emerging filmmakers and community-led projects. Contact us with your project details to see how we can help.
Is the Gear Well-Maintained?
Our equipment is purchased brand-new and rotated frequently to ensure consistently high performance. Every item is tested, cleaned, and quality checked by our in-house technicians before and after every hire, so it arrives ready to shoot.
For some of our vintage Items, minor cosmetic wear or age-related quirks can be expected. While we maintain them to the highest standard possible, certain elements of their behaviour are inherent to their design and age. If you experience any issues on set, contact us and we will work quickly to resolve the situation or provide a solution.
Is the Gear Insured?
Yes, all rentals are insured while in your possession. We also offer an optional Damage Waiver to reduce the excess payable in the event of accidental damage. Damage caused by misuse, negligence, or improper handling is not covered.