MEAA Podcasters Group
The MEAA Podcasters Group is working to create a fair and sustainable podcasting industry in Australia.
We represent podcasting workers whether they are freelance or contracted, part-time, full-time or casual. Our members undertake roles across the industry and include producers, sound designers, hosts and audio engineers.
If you work in podcasting and would like get involved with MEAA please feel free to get in contact with us.
Freelance Podcast Rates Card
This rate card has been developed by podcasting professionals with the purpose of creating a fair and sustainable podcasting industry in Australia.
These rates were developed through extensive industry consultation. They reflect freelancers’ need to cover their own entitlements such as leave and superannuation. They take into account such factors as the cost of living, the market rate, rates in similar industries, and rates in the podcasting industry overseas.
The following table outlines the recommended rates for a freelancer working in the Australian podcasting industry to charge a client per hour. Years of experience denotes years in the podcasting industry or other applicable roles. While these are hourly rates we encourage people in the podcasting industry to charge by the half day.
Executive producer – The role of the executive producer is to broadly oversee a production and to shape the content, team and roles, schedule and resources accordingly. An executive producer will propose/pitch original ideas and develop concepts. They will think about the podcast’s goals, the audience, how the podcast fits in with similar media, and how it aligns with a publisher or network’s broader output. They’ll often be responsible for advocating for, negotiating, or directing marketing and promotional support, as well as partnerships, advertising and monetisation strategy of a project.
An executive producer gives feedback and direction on editorial, audio and creative aspects of a production.
An executive producer will have familiarity with media law, but if they are concerned about risk then they would pass responsibility to a legal professional.
Senior/supervising producer – A senior or supervising producer provides guidance and support to producers. Typically, they’re producers with a higher level of experience, often across different styles of podcasts, meaning they’re expected to be able to navigate complicated reporting, storytelling, ethical and logistical issues that may be present during a production.
Senior or supervising producers are most often used to provide highly specific feedback and support to producers. This may include decisions around format, duration, guests and voices, the scope, framing and focus of stories, use of sound and language, and especially detailed notes on scripts and audio drafts.
Producer – The producer takes a hands-on role, working directly with the content to build the podcast, making it an essential role for all podcast projects.A producer takes on an organising role under the executive producer and/or senior/supervising producer. They liaise with presenters and journalists to create content, or can work independently as creators. They are responsible for booking guests and conducting pre-interviews. A producer writes interview questions, often in collaboration with a researcher or a journalist. They work with other team members to create scripts or assembly edits. A producer may conduct interviews with or without a presenter, write scripts, create assembly edits and provide editorial feedback.
Story editor – A story editor works with a producer to refine the tone, content and structure of a story, episode or segment. Their work often starts in the pre-production phase, where they help conceptualise the goals of a story. Throughout the process they will consult with journalists and researchers to ensure that a story is accurate, complete and compelling. A story editor will provide feedback for scripts and assembly edits, and may suggest conducting further recording or reporting, fact-checking, follow-up research, and rewriting.
Researcher – A researcher is assigned a topic by the producer and investigates this topic thoroughly, creates a summary, and proposes appropriate interview subjects.
Fact checker – A fact checker verifies all assertions within a podcast for accuracy and fairness. A fact-checker would typically have a background in journalism, and it’s expected that they have a strong understanding of media law.
Presenter – A podcast presenter is a versatile performer with the gift of the gab. A podcast presenter may work with guests, they may discuss a particular topic, or they may have a conversation with other hosts. Our rate is for a non-celebrity presenter.
Tape sync – A tape sync travels to an on-site location and records one side of a remote interview, sending the resulting files to the client soon after the recording.Tape sync operators typically arrange their own transport and provide their own equipment. They ensure the remote guest is comfortable, that the environment is suitable for recording, and that communication between interviewer and guest is optimal. On occasion, they may be asked by the client to suggest additional questions or collect extra location sounds relevant to the production. The tape sync operator is typically expected to record 30-60 seconds of representative ‘silence’ to support complicated edits. A tape sync is assumed to have access to standard broadcast-quality equipment.
Studio engineer – A studio engineer operates a recording studio or a live broadcast studio. In the field of podcasting they are also responsible for facilitating remote recordings, sometimes in collaboration with a tape sync. A studio engineer uses their expertise to make clear, consistent and intelligible recordings. A studio engineer would be responsible for recording a live event that is being held outside of a studio, such as at a theatre.
Sound recordist – A sound recordist facilitates field recordings. They are responsible for sourcing and setting up equipment and trouble-shooting technical issues. They use their expertise to make clear, consistent and intelligible recordings in a wide variety of challenging conditions.
Audio editor – An audio editor is responsible for cutting and cleaning dialogue. This may involve assembling a collection of raw audio into a story with the aid of a script, or working from an assembly edit. The audio editor smooths transitions, removes filler words, and improves spacing and timing.
Sound designer – A sound designer establishes the sound and feeling of a show, episode or segment. A sound designer may be involved in early editorial decisions, they may influence the recording process, or they may work from a finished dialogue assembly. A sound designer is most notably responsible for the creative addition of music, sound effects and atmos to serve the story. They may source music using a sound library, or work with composers to build original music for the project. They often build cohesive scenes out of field recordings.
Mix Engineer- A mix engineer will take a pre-existing session and improve balance, intelligibility and consistency. A mix engineer improves recording errors and poor edits and enhances audio recordings for intelligibility and artistic effect.Using tools such as compression and equalisation, a mix engineer will make different recordings sound consistent, and a story sound coherent.
Mastering Engineer- A mastering engineer prepares an audio recording for distribution on different forms of media, including online distribution platforms, by ensuring that all audio specifications are met. These specifications include loudness standards, file formats and metadata. A mastering engineer uses their creative skill to finesse and polish a recording.
