Primary and Secondary School Appearances and Workshops

These minimum rates of pay are designed for professional freelance authors and illustrators covering their own sick pay, holiday pay and other entitlements. They include preparation and appearance time, as well as any travel to and from the venue, but not extended regional or interstate travel.

As with all recommended rates of pay, the location and size of the event organiser (in this case, the school), your need for the work, and your level of skill and experience will all be considerations for your pay negotiations. Experienced and skilled presenters may charge higher fees.

Authors and illustrators visiting schools must ensure they understand they are required to have a current Working with Children check and their own Public Liability Insurance.

Rate category
FY 2025/26
FY 2026/27
Notes

1 x 60 min

Workshop / Presentation:
one class group*

Presentation: whole year

Presentation: whole school

 

$364


–

–

 

$386


$500

$650



These rates apply, whether the session is held in-person or live online.

The whole school rate is suitable for school assemblies.

1 x 90 min

Workshop / Presentation: two consecutive periods with one class group

Presentation: two consecutive periods with the whole year

Presentation: two consecutive periods with the whole school



$448



–


–



$475



$600


$750



These rates apply, whether the session is held in-person or live online.

The whole school rate is suitable for school assemblies.

Half day rates: including up to 2 x 60 min workshops or presentations$505$535These sessions are to be consecutive or with no more than a one-hour break between sessions. They must not be timetabled at either end of the school day. These rates are applicable for workshops and presentations for class groups only. Rates for half days including whole year group or whole school presentations are to be negotiated by the author.
Full day rates: including up to 180 min of contact time e.g. 3 x 60 min OR 4 x 45 min workshops / presentations$729$773These sessions are to be consecutive or with no more than a one-hour break between sessions. These rates are applicable to workshops or presentations for class groups only. Rates for full days including whole year group or whole school presentations are to be negotiated by the author.
Additional engagements (hourly rate)$202$209To be negotiated by the author. This rate is intended to ensure payment for any additional hours or activities expected for the school visit, such as meeting with teachers or consulting with students.
Extended travel$67$69Fee covers petrol and extended travel time, to be calculated per hour in excess of 1 hour for a one-way trip.
Travel & accommodation
working away from home**		  Full travel costs and accommodation should be provided. In addition, a minimum per diem of $81 per day should be paid to the author to cover food and incidentals.
Pre-recorded presentation:
file access		$313$335This rate assumes a pre-recorded presentation by an author / illustrator (the presenter) on the following conditions:
-Up to 60 minutes.
-No Q&A.
-Management of file by presenter.
-Presenter owns the rights to the recording.
-File provided to school on a non-exclusive basis.
The ASA recommends that any licence granted to use the recording be limited in time to a specific period such as two weeks.
Customised pre-recorded presentations tailored to individual groups or schools will attract an additional fee to be negotiated.

*Please note that for children in K to Yr3, audience sizes need to be smaller and the session times shorter.

** Please see the Australian Tax Office website if you would like more information on travel-related expenses.

Superannuation

Superannuation may be payable to presenters on top of the rates outlined above. Check superannuation obligations and entitlements at Creative Workplaces, the Australian Tax Office website and by using the Superannuation guarantee eligibility tool.

Notes on online presentations and workshops

The rates for live virtual presentations and workshops by an author or illustrator assume:

  • The school provides the online platform link
  • The school provides a moderator to be presenter during the session.
 

For presentations, a lesser degree of interaction may be assumed between the presenter and the students than a workshop. Presenters may provide workshop materials for use during the session – these materials remain copyright of the presenter.

Recordings of live presentations or workshops

Any recording of an online workshop should be specifically permitted by the presenter. If the presenter agrees to the session being recorded, we recommend the presenter agrees with the school, in writing, that:

  • the presenter owns the rights to the recording
  • any future use of the recording will attract an additional fee to be negotiated between the school and the presenter (specify fee)
  • the permission / licence granted to the school to use the recording be limited to single use, or a specific, negotiated period of time such as one or two weeks.

School Appearances rates were reviewed and updated in April 2026. The next review will be published March 2028.

Each year a WPI increase is applied to the rates. We understand some organisations may have applied for grants or funding based on the previous financial year’s rates. The ASA provides both the previous and current financial year information for reference. The 2026/27 rates should be used for any budgets developed after 15 April 2026.