Primary and Secondary School Appearances and Workshops

These minimum rates of pay are designed for established, professional, freelance authors covering their own sick pay, holiday pay and superannuation. They include preparation and, appearance time, as well as travel to and from the venue but not extended regional or inter-state travel.

As with all such recommended rates of pay, the location and size of the school, your need for the work and your level of skill and experience will all play a part in the way in which you negotiate these rates. Highly experienced and skilled presenters may charge higher fees.

Please note that authors visiting schools must check if they are required to have a current Working with Children check and their own Public Liability Insurance. 

Rate categoryFY 2024/25
(WPI 3.2%)		FY 2025/26
(WPI 3.4%)		Notes
Virtual talks/Presentations   
1 x 60 min session$325$336The following rates assume a virtual live presentation by an author / illustrator (the presenter) on the following conditions:
-Up to 60 minutes.
-A degree of open interaction from students with the presenter.
-The school provides the online platform link.
-The school provides a moderator to be present during the session.
2 x 60 min session same day$460$476 
3 x 60 min session same day$677$700 
Size of Student group
add per hour		$54$56Most presentations will be made to class size groups.
For sessions aimed at large numbers of students it is reasonable to increase the fee by $56 per hour for every additional 50 students (for example: 1 x 60 min session with 120 students would be $336 + $112)
We recommend a maximum of 200 students.
Online workshop (live)
1 x 60 min session		$352$364The following rates assume an online live workshop by an author / illustrator (the presenter) on the following conditions:
-Open interaction between students and the presenter.
-Class size groups recommended – up to 35 students per session. Larger groups to attract additional fees, as negotiated by the presenter.
-Presenter may provide workshop materials for use during the session. Materials remain copyright of the presenter.
-The school provides the online platform link.
-The school provides a moderator to be present during the session.
-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.
2 x 60 min session same day$488$505 
3 x 60 min session same day$705$729Recordings of Presentation
Any recording of a virtual presentation 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.
Pre recorded workshop
single access to file		$303$313The following rates assume 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.
In person rates   
1x 60 min session$352$364Audience for presentations to be no more than 110 students.* Surcharge of $104 for every 50 students in excess of 110
Extended workshops/presentation incur a surcharge.
Workshops are for class-size groups.
1 x 90 min session$433$448 
Surcharge per 50 students in excess of 110$104$108 
half day$488$505These 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.
full day$705$729180 minutes of contact time
extended day additional hourly rate$195$202To be negotiated by author
extended travel$65$67Fee covers petrol and extended travel time.
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.

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

** Please go to the Australian Tax Office site if you would like more information on travel related expenses. https://www.ato.gov.au

School Appearance rates were reviewed and updated in September 2022. The next review will be published September 2025.

As we will every year, a WPI increase has been applied (July 2024.) We appreciate it may take organisations a budget cycle to update their own rates.