Skip to content
In short: The cost to start a video podcast in Perth can be as low as $285 for your first one-hour studio session at Podwave Studios. After that, studio hire is $435 an hour with a producer included, or $1,375 for the Podcast Package with editing.
Many business owners assume a video podcast needs thousands of dollars in cameras, lights and microphones. In fact, renting a professional studio is usually cheaper and faster. You skip the gear, the setup and the learning curve. As a result, you can focus on the conversation instead.
This guide breaks down what you actually pay for. It also explains where the money goes, so you can plan a realistic budget.
What Is the Real Cost to Start a Video Podcast?
The cost to start a video podcast depends on one choice. You either buy equipment or you hire a studio. Buying a decent setup for two people often costs several thousand dollars. On top of that, you still need a quiet room, good lighting and someone to run it all.
Hiring a studio, by contrast, turns that into a simple hourly cost. At Podwave Studios, studio hire is $435 an hour. That price includes a producer valued at $150. For first-time one-hour bookings, the producer is complimentary, so that hour costs $285.
In other words, you can test the format for less than the price of one good microphone.
What Does Studio Hire Cost When You Start a Video Podcast?
Your booking covers the full technical setup. Our West Leederville studio has five Sony 4K cameras, ceiling lighting and Shure SM7B microphones. It also has a Rodecaster Pro 2 and live switching.
Meanwhile, your producer looks after audio levels, camera angles and switching. They also give delivery feedback and take photos during the session. So you walk in, sit down and start talking.
How Does Editing Change the Cost to Start a Video Podcast?
Raw footage is only half the job. Most businesses also want an edited episode and a few short clips.
For that reason, many clients choose the Podcast Package at $1,375 including GST. It covers a 60-minute session with a producer, post-production editing and a bonus branded short clip. Alternatively, you can book studio time only and use our editing services when you need them.
How Can You Keep the Cost to Start a Video Podcast Down?
There are a few simple ways to stretch your budget.
- Batch episodes. Record two episodes in one longer booking.
- Plan ahead. A clear outline means fewer retakes.
- Start small. Test one episode before you commit to a full season.
- Reuse clips. Turn each episode into several social posts.
Above all, treat your first session as a trial. Then decide what to invest in next.
Does a Home Setup Change the Cost to Start a Video Podcast?
It helps to price the alternative honestly. A basic two-person video setup usually needs at least two cameras, two broadcast microphones, an audio interface, lighting and stands. Then you need cables, memory cards, a computer that can handle 4K files and editing software.
Even modest gear adds up quickly. On top of that, most home offices need acoustic treatment to stop echo. That means panels, rugs or curtains, and often a trial-and-error process to get right.
There is also a hidden cost: your time. Someone has to set up, test levels, watch the cameras and pack down. For a business owner, those hours are often worth more than the studio fee itself.
How Should You Budget Your Video Podcast Start Cost?
A simple budget makes the decision easier. Here is one practical way to plan a first quarter.
- Month one: book a first-time one-hour session for $285. Record a pilot episode and see how it feels.
- Month two: if the pilot works, book the Podcast Package for $1,375 including GST. That gives you a polished, edited episode and a bonus branded short clip.
- Month three: batch two episodes in one longer booking at $435 an hour. As a result, your cost per episode drops.
After three months, you will have real footage, real feedback and a clear idea of what to spend next. In other words, you invest in proof rather than guesses.
What Do Perth Businesses Usually Spend On?
Local businesses tend to put money into three areas. First, studio time for consistent, professional video. Second, editing, because a tight episode keeps people watching. Third, short clips for LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube Shorts.
For example, a West Leederville accounting firm might record one episode a month on tax-time questions. Then it could cut four short clips from each episode for LinkedIn. Similarly, a Subiaco allied health clinic could film a monthly chat with a practitioner and share clips on Facebook for local patients.
Neither business needs its own gear. Instead, each one books studio time when it needs it and spends the rest on getting the content seen.
How Do You Measure Whether It Was Worth It?
Before you spend anything, decide what success looks like. That way, you can judge the cost fairly.
Useful measures include enquiries that mention the podcast, views on short clips and time spent on the episode page. You can also track how often your sales team shares an episode with a prospect. If one new client covers several months of studio hire, the maths is usually simple.
Above all, give it time. Most podcasts take a few months of steady publishing before the results show.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to buy podcast equipment or hire a studio?
For most businesses, hiring a studio is cheaper at the start. You avoid upfront gear costs, and a producer handles the setup for you.
How much is a first podcast session at Podwave Studios?
A first-time one-hour booking is $285. That is because the producer, normally valued at $150, is complimentary for that session.
What are the studio hours?
Our West Leederville studio is open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm.
Where is the studio?
We are at Level 1A, 32 Harrogate St, West Leederville WA 6007. New studios are coming in 2027.
Is the Podcast Package better value than hourly hire?
It depends on your plans. If you want a finished, edited episode without managing an editor, the Podcast Package at $1,375 is usually simpler. However, if you already have an editor, hourly studio hire may suit you better.
Can I record more than one episode in a booking?
Yes. Many clients batch two episodes in a longer booking. As a result, they save on travel and setup time, and they build a content buffer.
Do I need to buy anything before my first session?
No. The cameras, microphones, lighting and producer are all included. You only need your notes, a glass of water and a camera-friendly outfit.
Ready to Price Your First Episode?
Starting a video podcast does not need a big budget. Instead, it needs a clear plan and the right room. Book your first session at Podwave Studios in West Leederville and see what your show could look like.
