Understanding standard industry rates is important for arts workers, freelancers, small businesses, and independent contractors to make sure fair remuneration across various roles in the Australian arts sector. The rates vary depending on the size of the organisation, employment type (salaried vs. freelance), and role responsibilities.

This article provides a summarised overview of salary benchmarks and freelance fees, referencing key industry bodies such as the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA), the Australian Society of Authors (ASA), and the Fair Work Commission (FWC).

Please Note: Industry rates are subject to change due to economic factors, government regulations, and industry-wide advocacy efforts. It is vital to stay updated with the latest payment standards to protect your rights and maintain financial sustainability in your work.

Last Updated: March 2025

Key Resources for Industry Rates

To access the most up-to-date information on payment rates and fair work conditions, refer to the following sources:

• National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) – Provides salary benchmarks, freelance fees, and independent contractor rates for arts professionals.
• Fair Work Commission (FWC) – Outlines awards and conditions for arts-related roles, including the Live Performance Award [MA000081].
• Australian Society of Authors (ASA) – Offers recommended pay rates for writers, illustrators, and publishing professionals.
• MEAA (Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance) – Covers pay conditions and advocacy for workers in entertainment, journalism, and the arts. 
• Arts Law Centre of Australia – Provides legal advice on contracts, copyright, and fair pay for artists, including recommended fees for commissions, residencies, and collaborations.
• Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG) – Sets industry standards and recommended pay rates for screenwriters, playwrights, and scriptwriters.
• Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC) – Offers guidance on fair remuneration for composers working in film, TV, and digital media.
• Music Australia / APRA AMCOS – Provides guidelines on fair pay for musicians, songwriters, and music industry professionals, including performance and licensing fees.
• Australian Directors’ Guild (ADG) – Covers recommended rates and conditions for directors in film, television, and commercials.
• Australian Production Design Guild (APDG) – Offers rate guidelines for production designers, set designers, and costume professionals.
• Design Institute of Australia (DIA) – Provides professional practice guidelines and recommended fees for graphic designers, interior designers, and industrial designers.
• Regional Arts Australia (RAA) – Offers guidance on artist fees and fair pay for arts workers engaged in regional and community projects.

By staying informed and referring to these resources, arts workers can better negotiate their pay, advocate for fair working conditions, and contribute to a more sustainable arts & cultural sector.

Arts Worker Salaries

(Source: NAVA Arts Workers Payment Rates)

Salaries for arts professionals vary based on experience, job role, and the size of the organisation. Large institutions, such as national galleries, major performing arts centres, and state-funded organisations, typically offer higher salaries than small independent arts organisations or regional institutions due to funding levels and operational scale.  Below are benchmark salaries for key arts worker roles:

Large Organisations:

•  Senior Curator / Senior Registrar: $89,578 – $107,494

•  Conservator: $84,459 – $101,351

•  Curator / Registrar: $70,383 – $84,459

•  Marketing / Communications Coordinator: $70,383 – $84,459

•  Education and Public Programs: $66,544 – $79,853

•  Retail Manager: $66,544 – $79,853

•  Production Technician: $63,984 – $76,781

•  Preparator / Installer (Casual Rate): $40.48 – $48.57 per hour

Medium Organisations:

•  Senior Curator / Senior Registrar: $82,412 – $96,744
•  Curator / Registrar: $64,752 – $76,013
•  Marketing / Communications Coordinator: $64,752 – $76,013
•  Assistant Curator: $58,866 – $69,103
•  Preparator / Installer (Casual Rate): $37.24 – $43.71 per hour

Small Organisations:

•  Senior Curator / Senior Registrar: $71,663 – $85,995

•  Curator / Registrar: $56,306 – $67,568

•  Marketing / Communications Coordinator: $56,306 – $67,568

•  Production Technician: $51,188 – $61,425

•  Preparator / Installer (Casual Rate): $32.38 – $38.86 per hour

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2024 is $24.10 per hour or $915.90 per week, with a 25% loading for casual employees.

Management and Senior Roles

(Source: NAVA Management and Senior Roles)

Senior arts management positions command higher salaries due to their leadership responsibilities, strategic decision-making, and oversight of complex operations. These roles require extensive industry experience, financial acumen, and the ability to drive organisational success while balancing artistic integrity and business objectives.

Large Organisations:

•  Director / CEO: $152,027 – $230,344
•  Deputy Director: $118,243 – $179,156
•  Marketing Manager: $84,459 – $127,969
•  Production and Installation Manager: $92,905 – $140,766
•  Education and Public Programs Manager: $81,081 – $122,850

Medium Organisations:

•  Director / CEO: $110,565 – $161,241
•  Deputy Director: $85,995 – $125,409
•  Marketing Manager: $61,425 – $89,578
•  Production and Installation Manager: $67,568 – $98,536

Small Organisations:

•  Director / CEO: $92,138 – $115,172
•  Deputy Director: $71,663 – $89,578
•  Marketing Manager: $56,306 – $70,383
•  Production and Installation Manager: $51,188 – $63,984

These salary ranges represent minimum benchmarks, and organisations are encouraged to pay above these figures where possible.

Live Performance Award

(Source: Fair Work Commission - Live Performance Award)

The Live Performance Award serves as a baseline for fair wages and working conditions in the entertainment industry. It is designed to set equitable pay standards for employees involved in the production, staging, performance, administration, and technical aspects of live entertainment.

This award applies to workers across theatre, concerts, opera, dance, variety shows, and multimedia performances, ensuring that both employees and performers receive fair compensation for their work. Key provisions include:

• Minimum hourly wages and penalty rates for evenings, weekends, and public holidays.
• Allowances for travel, costume and wardrobe maintenance, and equipment use.
• Overtime pay regulations, including working hours, rest breaks, and rehearsal periods.
• Protections against unfair contracts or underpayment, particularly for casual and part-time employees.

Roles Include:

• Production & Technical: Stagehands, lighting and sound technicians, prop makers, machinists, wig makers.
• Front-of-House & Administration: Ushers, receptionists, box office staff, marketing assistants, customer service representatives.
• Performers & Musicians: Actors, singers, dancers, conductors, DJs, karaoke hosts, opera principals.
• Venue Staff: Car parking attendants, security personnel, theatre attendants, program sellers, tour guides.

This award is a guide so that live performance workers receive fair wages based on their specific roles and responsibilities.

Independent Contractors

(Source: NAVA Independent Contractors)

Freelancers and independent contractors operate outside traditional employment structures, setting their own rates based on expertise, project scope, and market demand. Unlike salaried employees, independent contractors are responsible for their own taxes, insurance, equipment, and business expenses, which must be factored into their pricing.

How Rates Are Determined:

• Experience & Specialisation - More experienced contractors with niche expertise can command higher fees.

• Project Scope & Complexity - Rates should reflect the time, skill, and resources required for a project.

• Market Demand & Industry Standards - Popular and in-demand services may attract premium rates.

• Business Expenses & Overheads - Independent contractors must account for costs such as insurance, workspace, tools, and self-managed superannuation contributions.

Hourly Rates for Independent Contractors:

•  Researcher: $30 – $90 per hour

•  Specialist Technician: $50 – $100 per hour

•  Advisory Group Sitting Fee: $50 – $200 per session

•  Consultant: $65 – $300 per hour

•  Public Art Consultant: $140 – $400 per hour

To compensate for these additional expenses, industry standards recommend a 40% premium over equivalent salaried employee rates. This ensures that freelancers earn a sustainable income while covering business costs typically handled by an employer in a salaried role.

Freelance Fees

(Source: NAVA Freelance Fees)

Freelancers often work on commission-based projects, short-term contracts, or one-off assignments across various disciplines. Unlike salaried roles, freelance work requires independent negotiation, factoring in the complexity of the project, time investment, intellectual property considerations, and the freelancer’s level of experience.

Common Freelance Fee Categories:

• Community Liaison and Cultural Advisor Fees – These fees apply to artists working in community engagement, cultural consultancy, or Indigenous cultural advisory roles. Rates should reflect the specialist knowledge, lived experience, and advisory responsibilities required for the work.

• Writing, Editing, and Proofreading Rates – Freelance writers, editors, and proofreaders charge fees based on word count, hourly rates, or flat project fees. Rates vary depending on the complexity of the writing task, level of research required, and intended publication format.

• Photography and Illustration Fees – Freelance photographers and illustrators set fees based on licensing rights, the scale of the project, and distribution reach. Projects involving commercial or editorial use typically command higher fees than personal or community-based commissions.

Key Considerations for Freelancers:

• Intellectual Property Rights - Freelancers should ensure contracts clearly define ownership and licensing terms for their work, particularly in writing, illustration, and photography projects.

• Usage and Reproduction Fees - If a freelance artwork, photograph, or written piece is to be used multiple times, freelancers should negotiate additional fees for extended licensing.

• Time and Complexity - Rates should account for pre-production research, project revisions, client meetings, and administrative overheads.

• Expenses and Overheads - Freelancers should factor in material costs, travel, and other expenses when quoting for work.

Freelancers are advised to negotiate fees based on the complexity of the project and their level of experience.

Research and Development Fees

(Source: NAVA Research and Development Fees)

These fees apply to artists engaged in residencies, funded research periods, or additional administrative work beyond standard project fees.

Research and development work is important for arts workers & artists to experiment, create new work, or undertake exploratory projects that contribute to their practice and the broader arts sector.

Key Considerations:

• These fees typically do not cover costs for materials, equipment, accommodation, or technical support staff. Arts workers & artists should negotiate additional funding or budget for these expenses separately.

• Outcome Expectations - Some residencies or research projects require a specific deliverable, such as a new artwork, exhibition, or public presentation. In these cases, fees should align with Artist Fees (New Work) standards for fair remuneration for the creation process.

• Administrative and Development Work - If additional administrative tasks, such as project management, grant reporting, or public engagement, are required, these should be compensated separately from standard research fees.

Writers

(Source: Australian Society of Authors (ASA)) 

The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) provides recommended pay rates for authors, illustrators, and publishing professionals, helping them negotiate fair compensation in an industry where rates can vary widely. The ASA’s guidelines acts as a benchmark for those working in publishing, media, and freelance writing.

Recommended Rates Monitored by ASA:

• Publishing Agreement Rates – Covers standard fees for book advances, royalties, and other earnings in traditional and independent publishing agreements. ASA helps writers understand what fair contract terms should include and how to negotiate them effectively.

• Appearance Fees (Festivals, Panels, Talks) – Outlines recommended rates for authors participating in literary festivals, conferences, school visits, and speaking engagements. These rates ensure fair pay for preparation, travel, and the value of an author’s expertise.

• Journalism and One-Off Commission Fees – Provides guidance on fair remuneration for freelance journalism, commissioned articles, and content creation. This includes per-word rates, hourly rates, and flat fees for writing assignments across print and digital media.

   

The ASA also operates a Rates Tracker, where writers can report real-world payment offers to help monitor industry trends and improve transparency. Writers are encouraged to consult these resources before entering contracts to ensure they receive fair compensation for their work.

Final Note

Fair pay is fundamental to sustaining the Australian arts industry. Arts workers and freelancers deserve compensation that reflects their skills, experience, and contributions to the sector. 

Industry benchmarks should be used as a negotiation tool when discussing salaries, contracts, and freelance fees, so that arts workers can make sure their work is valued appropriately. Being well-informed about industry standards helps protect against underpayment, strengthen advocacy efforts, and improve overall job security in the creative industries.

Organisations, galleries, and employers are encouraged to meet or exceed these minimum payment standards, recognising that competitive wages attract and retain skilled professionals. By investing in fair remuneration, the sector can support long-term career sustainability, strengthen creative industries, and build a thriving cultural economy in Australia.

For ongoing updates, arts workers should regularly consult NAVA, Fair Work Australia, MEAA, ASA and other key bodies to stay informed about changing industry rates and best practices in arts employment.