Fair Pay for Australian Musicians: The $250 Minimum Fee

If there is one number every gigging Australian musician should know, it is $250. It is the floor for what you should be paid for a standard set, and it now carries weight with several state and territory governments.

What the minimum fee is

The benchmark is set by Musicians Australia, the musicians' union (part of the MEAA). They describe it simply: "A minimum fee is a fee floor, for any musician, playing anywhere, for any audience."

Why $250, and why it can't be undercut

The figure is tied directly to the industrial award covering live performance: "The $250 Musicians Australia Minimum Fee is based on the related '3 hour call' as set out in the Live Performance Award, which requires that musicians are paid between $150–200 for a 3 hour call, and an additional $50–100 in allowances (e.g. set up time, meals, supply of instruments, and travel)."

It sits on top of the award as a guaranteed base: "The first component of your fee is the '$250 Musicians Australia Minimum Fee'. This is a guaranteed minimum, which cannot be undercut." The award itself is the Live Performance Award (MA000081), enforced by the Fair Work Commission.

Which governments have backed it

Several governments now require the fee for publicly funded work. According to Musicians Australia: "Thanks to the collective work of our members, Musicians Australia has since received endorsement for the $250 minimum fee from the South Australian, Queensland, Western Australian, Victorian and Australian Capital Territory state/territory governments."

What to do if you're paid less

Two practical steps: log the gig with Musicians Australia through their Gig Map, and if you are a member, contact their member services for support. For contract-level problems, the Arts Law Centre of Australia can advise.