Live Performance Award pay rates
Award code MA000081, with rates in force from 1 July 2026.
Minimum pay for 19 adult classifications under the Live Performance Award 2020, from 1 July 2026: $25.74 to $85.16 an hour before tax.
Lowest adult rate
$25.74an hour
For Production and Support Staff Level 1 (Induction/Training). $978.10 for a full-time week. Up 6.01% from $24.28.
Its lowest adult rate is $25.74 an hour. Of the 116 awards that set hourly rates, 71 have a higher minimum. The dashed line is the minimum wage; each tick is another award.
Pay by classification
Dollars an hour, from 1 July 2026- Production and Support Staff Level 1 (Induction/Training)Level 1$25.74
- Company Dancer Level 3; Production and Support Staff Level 8Level 10$34.46
- Production and Support Staff Level 2Level 2$27.55
- Production and Support Staff Level 3Level 3$28.89
- Production and Support Staff Level 4Level 4$29.45
- Production and Support Staff Level 5Level 5$30.37
- Production and Support Staff Level 6Level 6$31.30
- Company Dancer Level 2; Production and Support Staff Level 7Level 8$33.31
- Supernumeraries engaged by the week$36.68
- Level 9, MusicianCasual Employees$66.83
- Level 11, Musician required to accompany artistsCasual Employees$70.35
- Level 14, Principal MusicianCasual Employees$78.48
- Level 15, Conductor-LeaderCasual Employees$85.16
- Level 9, MusicianWeekly Employees$53.46
- Level 11, Musician required to accompany artistsWeekly Employees$56.28
- Level 14, Principal MusicianWeekly Employees$62.78
- Level 15, Conductor-LeaderWeekly Employees$68.13
- Bar/waiting staff$27.08
- Performer$27.55
Hover or tap a row for last year's rate. Every rate, in every unit, is in the tables below.
Minimum pay by classification from 1 July 2026
Weekly rates are for a full-time week; hourly rates apply to full-time and part-time hours.
Production, support staff and performersClause 11.1
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1Production and Support Staff Level 1 (Induction/Training) | $978.10 | $25.74 |
| Level 10Company Dancer Level 3; Production and Support Staff Level 8 | $1,309.40 | $34.46 |
| Level 11Company Dancer Level 4; Musician required to accompany artists; Opera Principal | $1,350.60 | - |
| Level 12Company Dancer Level 5 | $1,396.00 | - |
| Level 13Company Dancer Level 6; Technical Manager | $1,446.70 | - |
| Level 14Company Dancer Level 7; Principal Musician; Vocalist | $1,506.70 | - |
| Level 15Conductor-Leader | $1,635.10 | - |
| Level 2Production and Support Staff Level 2 | $1,046.90 | $27.55 |
| Level 3Production and Support Staff Level 3 | $1,098.00 | $28.89 |
| Level 4Production and Support Staff Level 4 | $1,119.10 | $29.45 |
| Level 5Production and Support Staff Level 5 | $1,154.20 | $30.37 |
| Level 6Production and Support Staff Level 6 | $1,189.40 | $31.30 |
| Level 7Company Dancer Level 1; Performer Category 1 Grade 1 | $1,221.10 | - |
| Level 8Company Dancer Level 2; Production and Support Staff Level 7 | $1,265.70 | $33.31 |
| Level 9Musician; Performer Category 1 Grade 2; Performer Category 2 | $1,283.10 | - |
Performers and company dancers - Weekly part-time employees (Supernumeraries)Clause 31.4(a)
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Supernumeraries engaged by the week | $880.20 | $36.68 |
MusiciansClause 40.1
| Classification | Hourly |
|---|---|
| Casual EmployeesLevel 9, Musician | $66.83 |
| Casual EmployeesLevel 11, Musician required to accompany artists | $70.35 |
| Casual EmployeesLevel 14, Principal Musician | $78.48 |
| Casual EmployeesLevel 15, Conductor-Leader | $85.16 |
| Weekly EmployeesLevel 9, Musician | $53.46 |
| Weekly EmployeesLevel 11, Musician required to accompany artists | $56.28 |
| Weekly EmployeesLevel 14, Principal Musician | $62.78 |
| Weekly EmployeesLevel 15, Conductor-Leader | $68.13 |
Striptease ArtistsClause 50
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Bar/waiting staff | $1,029.10 | $27.08 |
| Performer | $1,046.90 | $27.55 |
The Commission's pay database has no penalty, overtime or casual rates for this award, so they aren't shown here. They're in the award itself, linked below.
Juniors, apprentices and other arrangements
Rates that depend on age, training or another arrangement. Open a group to see its rates.
Special provisions for Company DancersTrainee ratesClause 31.8(a)(ii)2 rates
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Training level, minimum | $945.90 | $24.89 |
| Training level, maximum | $1,102.50 | $29.01 |
Allowances paid on top
29 allowances are for the work itself, paid when the job calls for it, and 31 cover costs you'd otherwise pay yourself, like meals, laundry or travel. The amounts are the Commission's, in force today; the award sets out exactly who gets each one and when.
For the work
| Allowance | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Rehearsal payment, for each subsequent half hour or part thereofClause 31.6(c)(i) | $26.86 per half hour or part thereof | |
| Rehearsal payment, minimum one hourClause 31.6(c)(i) | $53.72 an hour | |
| Rehearsal payment, if employee leaves prior to one hourClause 31.6(c)(ii) | $26.86 per half hour or part thereof of actual time worked | |
| Casual supernumeraries, minimum call paymentClause 31.6(e) | $38.05 an hour | |
| Nude allowanceClause 32.2(a) | $30.78 a week | |
| Assistant Stage Manager allowanceClause 32.2(b) | $60.43 a week | |
| Driver or a person in charge whilst on tourClause 32.2(c) | $78.34 a week | |
| Making of an advertisement, television or radio (4 hour minimum payment)Clause 32.2(f) | $54.84 an hour | |
| Understudy allowances (part understudied) | ||
| Leading roleClause 32.2(h)(i) | $54.16 a week | |
| Minor supporting roleClause 32.2(h)(i) | $25.96 a week | |
| Star roleClause 32.2(h)(i) | $75.87 a week | |
| Supporting roleClause 32.2(h)(i) | $32.57 a week | |
| Understudy allowances (additional amount per performance) | ||
| Leading roleClause 32.2(h)(ii) | $108.33 per performance | |
| Minor supporting roleClause 32.2(h)(ii) | $51.93 per performance | |
| Star roleClause 32.2(h)(ii) | $162.72 per performance | |
| Supporting roleClause 32.2(h)(ii) | $65.13 per performance | |
| Dance Captain allowanceClause 32.2(h)(iv) | $57.97 a week | |
| Deputy Rehearsal Director/Rehearsal DirectorClause 32.2(i)(i) | $136.42 a week | |
| Company dancer supervising classes on irregular basisClause 32.2(i)(ii) | $68.15 per class | |
| Supply of music | ||
| Weekly employeeClause 41.2(b)(i) | $44.76 a week | |
| Casual employeeClause 41.2(b)(ii) | $14.55 per call | |
| Soloist, performing solo in orchestraClause 41.2(c) | $7.83 per instrument per call | |
| Televised performanceClause 41.2(f)(i) | $156.90 per performance | |
| Radio broadcastClause 41.2(f)(ii) | $169.21 per broadcast | |
| Simulcast broadcastClause 41.2(f)(iii) | $322.52 per simulcast | |
| Audio-visual or visual recording of performanceClause 41.2(f)(iv) | $231.65 per performance | |
| Audio recording of performance, for which there can be 21 minutes of finished materialClause 41.2(f)(v) | $169.21 per performance | |
| Parades involving exposure of parts of the bodyClause 51.2(c) | $36.93 per parade | |
| Transmission or recording of performance allowance, one payment onlyClause 60.2(a) | $177.94 single payment | |
To cover costs
| Allowance | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Use of vehicle allowanceClause 14.2(b) | $1.00 a km | |
| Laundry allowance | ||
| Weekly and full time employees, blouses and shirtsClause 14.2(d)(i) | $4.68 a week | |
| Weekly and full time employees, other garmentsClause 14.2(d)(i) | $12.17 a week | |
| Other than weekly and full-time employees, maximum per weekClause 14.2(d)(ii) | $16.96 a week | |
| Other than weekly and full-time employees, per dayClause 14.2(d)(ii) | $3.75 a day | |
| Travel to and from airports, reimbursement, a maximum amount ofClause 14.3(b) | $51.20 each time | |
| Accommodation allowance | ||
| One week or lessClause 14.3(c) | $240.82 a night | |
| More than one week, maximum per weekClause 14.3(d) | $918.74 a week | |
| More than one week, per nightClause 14.3(d) | $183.72 a night | |
| Where employer does not provide accommodation, maximum weekly amount, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth and BrisbaneClause 14.3(e) | $1,298.00 a week | |
| Where employer does not provide accommodation, maximum weekly amount, CanberraClause 14.3(e) | $1,581.00 a week | |
| Where employer does not provide accommodation, maximum weekly amount, other placesClause 14.3(e) | $1,210.00 a week | |
| Where employer does not provide accommodation, maximum weekly amount, Sydney and MelbourneClause 14.3(e) | $1,839.00 a week | |
| Meals while travelling | ||
| One to 4 days, per meal periodClause 14.3(g) | $37.52 per meal period | |
| One week (5 working days) or more, maximum per weekClause 14.3(h) | $380.55 a week | |
| One week (5 working days) or more, per dayClause 14.3(h) | $76.11 a day | |
| Incidentals allowance while travelling one week (5 working days) or more | ||
| Maximum per weekClause 14.3(i) | $113.92 a week | |
| Per dayClause 14.3(i) | $22.78 a day | |
| Wardrobe and make-up allowances | ||
| For each pair of shoes per weekClause 32.3(a)(iv) | $4.26 a week | |
| Minimum payment per weekClause 32.3(a)(iv) | $10.78 a week | |
| Supplying clothing/accessories if already in employee’s possessionClause 32.3(a)(iv) | $8.42 per article per week | |
| Performance allowances | ||
| Meal between performances, if break less than 2 hours, Company DancersClause 33.2(e)(iv) | $24.13 each time | |
| Meal between performances, if break less than 2 hours, Performers and Company DancersClause 34.1(e) | $37.52 each time | |
| Upkeep allowances | ||
| Employee who supplies one or more instrumentsClause 41.3(a) | $1.94 per instrument per call | |
| HarpistClause 41.3(b) | $5.10 per call | |
| Percussionist who provides percussion kitClause 41.3(c) | $12.37 a week | |
| Travel on SundayClause 44.6(b) | $14.53 each time | |
| Meal allowances | ||
| Working beyond 8.00am, if work commenced at or before 12.00 midnight, other than cleanersClause 60.3(a)(i) | $24.13 per meal interval | |
| 2 back to back performancesClause 60.3(a)(ii) | $24.13 each time | |
| Tools and equipment allowance | ||
| Supply of own tools, Heads of DepartmentsClause 60.3(b)(i) | $11.03 a week | |
| Supply of own tools, employees other than Heads of DepartmentsClause 60.3(b)(ii) | $1.14 a day | |
The award is the final word
These are the minimum rates the Fair Work Commission publishes for the award. Shift rules, rostering and who each classification covers are in the award itself, and an enterprise agreement can set different pay. Employees no award or agreement covers get the National Minimum Wage: $26.44 an hour from 1 July 2026.
Questions people ask
- What is the minimum pay rate under the Live Performance Award?
- From 1 July 2026, the lowest adult rate is $25.74 an hour ($978.10 a week full time), for Production and Support Staff Level 1 (Induction/Training). The highest adult classification is $85.16 an hour. Trainee rates, further down, can be lower.
- How does the Live Performance Award minimum compare?
- Its lowest adult rate is $25.74 an hour. Of the 116 awards that set hourly rates, 71 have a higher minimum.
- How much did Live Performance Award rates go up on 1 July 2026?
- The lowest adult rate rose 6.01%, from $24.28 to $25.74 an hour, in the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review. The table shows each classification's rate before and after.
- What allowances are paid under the Live Performance Award?
- 60 allowances have a dollar amount set by the Commission, including a rehearsal payment, for each subsequent half hour or part thereof of $26.86 per half hour or part thereof, a rehearsal payment, minimum one hour of $53.72 an hour and a rehearsal payment, if employee leaves prior to one hour of $26.86 per half hour or part thereof of actual time worked. The full list, with the clause each comes from, is on this page.
- Where do these rates come from?
- The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database, which publishes every award's minimum rates; we read it when the Commission changes an award. The award itself prevails if the two ever differ, and an enterprise agreement can set different pay.
Source: Fair Work Commission, Modern Awards Pay Database, licensed CC BY 4.0, read 27 Oct 2026 and arranged by The Finance Algorithm. Not endorsed by the Fair Work Commission. Read with the award: if they differ, the award prevails. General information, not legal or payroll advice.