Poetry

Poetry rates of pay depend on factors such as how the poem was initiated, where it appears and if a reading takes place.

Refer to the categories and relevant recommended rates below:

Rate categoryFY 2025/26
(WPI 3.4%)		FY 2026/27
(WPI 3.3%)		Notes
Journals
*For submissions to poetry or literary journals (print and/or digital)		$65-$140$67-$145Per Poem

Print (ex. Journals)
*For example, inclusion in an anthology of poetry in print/digital

Flat fee up to 135 lines

$462$477Up to $462 flat fee for a maximum of 135 lines
Flat fee for a suite of poems$538-$860$556-$888$538-$860 flat fee for a suite of poems regardless of length
Commissioned
Publication/reading only		$323$333regardless of length where the poem is commissioned for publication/reading but does not include any other activities.
Publication/reading plus additional activities$538$555regardless of length where the poem is commissioned for publication reading and also includes a reflection (feedback), prompt (what inspired the poem), and video and audio recording.
Corporate commission$1,075$1,111 
Readings
Recommended range		$108-$247$112-$255Rates are variable depending on the following: emerging poet/published poet, online reading/face to face reading, live reading/pre-recorded reading, recording/no recording, print/no print, length of time of reading.
For example, a pre-recorded, online, 10-minute reading by a published poet where the poem isn’t shared exclusively in print would attract a rate of the low end of the range, perhaps around $112
Festivals
Recommended range

$108-$807

$112-$834

Rates for festival appearances depend on a number of variables such as: emerging poet/published poet, online appearance/face to face appearance, live appearance/pre-recorded appearance, recording/no recording, print/no print, length of time of reading and if part of a panel.

For example, $112-$255 is a basic reading fee, $112 being for a single poem; then additional payment for extra responsibility/time/preparation etc

Education  Rates for a school appearance depend on a number of variables such as: emerging poet/published poet, online appearance/face to face appearance, live appearance/pre-recorded appearance, recording/no recording, print/no print, length of time of presentation and if it’s a workshop taking considerable preparation time.
See school appearances.

Superannuation

Superannuation may be payable to creators 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.

NB – A poet is considered emerging when they are unpublished, have 1 collection or less and/or have less than 5 years of experience doing workshops, performances running a professional practice.

Poetry rates were reviewed and updated in December 2025. The next review and update will be published in December 2027.

As we will every year, a WPI increase has been applied (July 2026). We appreciate it may take organisations a budget cycle to update their own rates.