National freelance rates
Here's the information you asked for on the national freelancers' approved minimum rates recommended by the AJA (Australian Journalists Association). It's a section of the powerful union called the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance. This is exactly as it appears on the website. If you want the newest information, go to www.alliance.org.au, and the click on "Resources" and then click on "Media Workers". [Permission granted for reproduction.]
PLEASE NOTE THESE ARE RECOMMENDED RATES ONLY AND NOT EVERYONE IS IN A POSITION TO NEGOTIATE THESE KIND OF EXCELLENT MONIES.
In your early days, it's best to be ask for
"your publication's current rate"
and don't try to negotiate in these early days.
2006/2007 National Freelance Rates
Australian Journalists Association Section
Effective 1 July 2006. Approved minimums for freelance and casual writers, broadcasters, photographers and artists:
Freelance Daily Rate
Per day $756.00
Per half day (2/3 day rate) $503.00
Per hour $189.00
1000 words or less $770.00
77c per word thereafter
Photojournalists
Per day $944.00
Photographers
Per day $756.00
Per half day (2/3 day rate) $503.00
Per hour $189.00
Research (per hour) $143.00
Film (1 B&W roll w/proofs or 1 colour roll) $69.00
Film (1 colour neg roll w/proofs or 1 trannie) $84.00
B&W prints 20 x 25 $38.00
B&W prints 25 x 30 $47.00
Lost or damaged transparencies or negatives $1845.00
Photo Reproduction
Single column photo $181.00
Half page $258.00
Full page $380.00
Cover $680.00
Artists
B&W spot cartoon or illustration $169.00
B& W half page $233.00
B&W full page $342.00
Colour half page $703.00
Colour full page $1403.00
Colour Cover $1684.00
Book Editors & Proofreaders
Per day $756.00
Per half day (2/3 day rate) $503.00
Per hour $189.00
Public Relations
Snr PR Consultant per day $1104.20
Per hour $145.00
Casual Rates (based on News Limited Rates January 2006)
Grade VDT rate
3 (Full day) $236.00
3 (Half day) $160.00
5 (Full day) $267.00
5 (Half day) $180.00
Expenses Freelancers are entitled to claim reasonable out of pocket expenses on top of the minimum freelance rates quoted here. These expenses could include: travel costs, telephone, car mileage, fax costs etc.
Holiday Pay Casuals employed by Metro Dailies at Fairfax and News Ltd now receive a 20% casual loading in lieu of holidays. Casuals employed in other areas receive a daily allowance on top of the minimum rate to compensate for holiday pay.
Superannuation Freelancers who earn over $450 in any one month from the one commissioner and casuals employed by most employers for 20 shifts or more within a 13 week period qualify to have the equivalent of 9% of their earnings paid into a superannuation fund - free of charge - once you have asked for it. If you are not a member of JUST or an approved company fund, please contact the Alliance 1300 362 672.
Information correct as of July 2007. This is a summary only and is no substitute for a legal document. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the information in this leaflet, the Alliance accepts no liability for loss arising from inaccuracies, if any, contained within. Any queries should be directed to your local branch of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance.