An animated explainer video in Australia typically costs between $6,050 and $8,625 for a one-minute video, depending on the animation style and what is included in the package.
This post explains what sits behind those numbers, what drives the cost up or down, and what to look for when comparing quotes from suppliers.
The two animation styles we offer and when each makes sense
Animation style is the primary driver of cost, so it is worth understanding the distinction before getting into numbers. We offer two approaches, each suited to different communication objectives.
Motion animation uses icons, shapes, data visualisations, and graphical elements to explain ideas clearly and efficiently. It suits process explanations, software walkthroughs, statistics, and content where precision and clarity are the priority. A motion animation up to one minute starts from $6,050.
Character animation uses illustrated people and environments to tell stories and model behaviours. It is particularly effective for behaviour change campaigns, training content, and any communication where the audience needs to see themselves reflected in the scenario. A character animation up to one minute starts from $8,625.
The price difference reflects the additional complexity involved in character design, rigging, and scene construction. Both styles include full script writing, professional voiceover, royalty-free music, and unlimited revisions as standard.
What is included in an animation package?
Understanding what is bundled into the quoted price matters as much as the headline figure. A well-structured explainer video package should include:
- Scripting and storyboarding: the creative team works with you to develop the script and plan the visual sequence before any animation begins.
- Voiceover recording: professional voice talent brings the script to life. You choose from a range of voices to match the tone of your content.
- Royalty-free music: background music selected to support the video’s tone and pacing.
- Custom animation: all animation is built from scratch, not assembled from templates. Every deliverable is original to your organisation.
- Subtitle file: a complimentary SRT file for accessibility, available on request.
- Project files: delivered to you on final payment.
- Unlimited revisions: refinements continue until you are satisfied with the result.
- Longevity guarantee: 12 months of complimentary post-delivery updates, so the video stays accurate as your organisation evolves.
The longevity guarantee is worth noting specifically. For organisations in sectors where policies, services, or data change regularly, including government agencies, health bodies, and not-for-profits, a video that can be updated without a full reproduction cost has real ongoing value.
How video length affects cost
The prices above are based on videos up to one minute in length. If your content requires something longer, that is worth discussing at the quoting stage as scope and pricing will depend on the complexity of the additional content.
One minute is often longer than organisations expect once they see it scripted. A well-structured 60-second explainer can comfortably cover a single key message with a clear call to action. If your content requires more ground, a two-minute video is a reasonable scope. Beyond two minutes, it is worth considering whether a series of shorter videos might be more effective for distribution and audience retention than a single longer piece.
Package pricing for multiple videos
If your organisation is planning more than one video, either as part of a campaign or across different programs or audiences, multi-video packages reduce the per-unit cost significantly.
For motion animation:
- 2 x 60-second videos: $9,680 (vs $12,100 if commissioned separately)
- 4 x 60-second videos: $16,940
- 6 x 60-second videos: $23,595
For character animation:
- 2 x 60-second videos: $13,800
- 4 x 60-second videos: $24,150
- 6 x 60-second videos: $33,640
For teams running content rollouts across the year, a volume commitment can also unlock additional production value. A $15,000 upfront commitment adds 10% more production value to the total spend, redeemable across projects over 12 months. This is particularly useful for organisations with a communications calendar that includes multiple campaigns or audience segments.
What can push the cost up
The package prices above cover a standard scope. A few factors can add to the budget, and it is better to know about them before you brief a supplier.
- Additional cut-downs: each package includes one cut-down of the main video (useful for social media). Further cut-downs are available at $1,500 each.
- Audio descriptions: for audiences who require a verbal description of on-screen visuals, audio description versions are quoted separately.
- Express turnaround: if your deadline is tight, express turnaround is available on request, subject to scheduling availability, and is priced separately.
- Multilingual versions: if you need the video localised into additional languages, voiceover re-recording and subtitle files for each language are quoted separately.
How animation compares to live action for the same brief
A common question at the quoting stage is whether animation or live action filming is the better investment for a given project. The honest answer is that it depends on the message and the audience, not the budget alone.
Animation gives you complete creative control over what is shown on screen. There are no location constraints, no scheduling talent, and no weather on the day of the shoot. It handles abstract concepts, internal processes, and sensitive subject matter particularly well, because you can show things that are difficult or inappropriate to film directly.
Live action, by contrast, brings real faces, real environments, and real stories. For testimonials, case studies, and culture pieces, filmed footage often lands with more emotional weight than an illustrated equivalent. The live action production process also produces footage that can be repurposed across multiple assets beyond the primary video.
Many organisations use both. A character animation explains the service or process; a filmed case study puts a human face on the outcome. Used together, they cover different moments in an audience’s decision-making journey.
Here are two examples of where that combination did exactly that:
Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS)
When AIFS needed to share landmark research on how Australians define family, we produced an animated explainer to make the data accessible and a live action film to bring real family stories to the surface. The animation reached people with the findings and the filmed piece made them feel it.
Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC)
For VMIAC’s work with NDIS participants who needed to understand their rights and feel confident raising complaints, animation handled the process explanation while live action gave voice to real participant experiences. Neither format alone would have covered the full journey from awareness to action.
How to get an accurate quote for your animation project
A supplier needs the following information to give you a reliable number rather than a rough ballpark:
- Objective: what do you want the video to achieve, and for which audience?
- Animation style preference: motion or character, or open to recommendation?
- Approximate length: even a rough target helps narrow the scope.
- Quantity: a single video, or are you planning a series?
- Timeline: your preferred delivery date and any fixed deadlines.
- Accessibility requirements: captions, audio descriptions, Auslan, or multilingual versions.
You do not need a finished script or a locked brief to start the conversation. A clear sense of your objective and audience is enough to get a meaningful quote and a realistic production timeline.
See what animated explainer videos look like in practice
The best way to assess whether animation is the right format for your project is to see the range of what is possible. Our portfolio includes examples of our animation work across government, health, education, and community sectors, covering everything from service explainers to behaviour change campaigns.
If you have a brief in mind or want to talk through the right approach for your organisation, get in touch with our team. We will give you an honest assessment of what your project needs and what it will cost.
