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. 

Virtual Rates

The following rates are for virtual (online) appearances at primary and secondary schools. They are a guide only. They are subject to negotiation on a case by case, needs basis and may be tailored to fit the school brief and budget, and experience of the author / illustrator. All rates are ex-GST.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we anticipate rapid development of online initiatives. These rates will be subject to continuous review as further feedback is obtained and strategies for remote learning develop.

1. Virtual Talks/Presentations – (live)

The 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.


Recommended rates

1 x 60 minute session: $325

Add a 2nd session on the same day total: $460

Add a 3rd session on the same day total: $677

Size of student group

  • Most presentations will be made to class size groups.
  • For sessions aimed at large numbers of students, it is reasonable to increase the fee as follows:
    Over 50 students in a session add $52 per hour, over 100 students in a session, add another $54 per hour, etc.
  • We recommend a maximum of 200 students.


Recordings 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:
  1. the presenter owns the rights to the recording;
  2. any future use of the recording will attract an additional fee to be negotiated between the school and the presenter (specify fee);
  3. 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. Online Workshops – (live)

The 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:
    1. the presenter owns the rights to the recording;
    2. any future use of the recording will attract an additional fee to be negotiated between the school and the presenter (specify fee);
    3. 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.


Recommended rates:

1 x 60 minute session: $352

Add a 2nd session on the same day: total $488

Add a 3rd session on the same day: total $705

3. Pre-recorded Talk/Presentation

The 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.


Recommended Rates

Single access to file: $303

    • 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

No. of Sessions

Fee (Ex. GST)

Additional notes

Single School Session – presentation or workshop

$352 – 1 x 60 minutes

$433 – 1 x 90 minutes

Audience 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.

Half-day

$488 – 2 x 60 minutes

These 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 – 3 x 60 minutes

$705 – 4 x 45 minutes

180 minutes of contact time

Extended Day – additional hourly rate

$195 Per hour (only if in addition to full day rate)

To be negotiated by author

Weekly Writer Residencies

To be negotiated by the author.

Rates vary widely depending on the preparation involved and level of customisation required in the sessions.

Extended travel

$65 Per hour in excess of 1 hour for a one-way trip

Fee 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 April 2021. The next review will take place in January 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.