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 2024/25
(WPI 3.2%)		FY 2025/26
(WPI 3.4%)		Notes
Journals
*For submissions to poetry or literary journals (print and/or digital)		$63-$135$65-$140Per Poem

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


Flat fee up to 135 lines

$447$462Up to $462 flat fee for a maximum of 135 lines
Flat fee for a suite of poems$520-$832$538-$860$538-$860 flat fee for a suite of poems regardless of length
Commissioned
Publication/reading only		$312$323regardless of length where the poem is commissioned for publication/reading but does not include any other activities.
Publication/reading plus additional activities$520$538regardless 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$1,040$1,075 
Readings
Recommended range		$104-$239$108-$247Rates 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 $108
Festivals
Recommended range		$104-$780$108-$807
$208 in example		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, $108-$208 is a basic reading fee, $104 being for a single poem; then $208-$780 being 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.

NB – A poet is considered emerging when they are unpublished, have 1 collection or less and/or have less than 5 years of experience doing workshops, performances running a professional practice.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 2021. The next review and update will be published in December 2025.

As we will every year, a WPI increase has been applied (July 2025) We appreciate it may take organisations a budget cycle to update their own rates.