Who pays the agent depends on the agency. Acting agents take 10% out of the performer's fee, so a $1,500 featured extra costs you $1,500 and the performer receives $1,350. Model and commercial agencies add 20% plus GST to your invoice, so the same booking costs you $1,830 and the performer receives the full $1,500.
The two models
These are two different ways of billing, and the agency decides which one applies. You find out by asking at booking, and the budget changes with the answer.
- Acting agents, 10% from the fee.You pay the agency the talent fee. The agency keeps 10% and passes 90% to the performer. The commission never appears on your invoice (MCTV rates and fees). Some boutique acting and voice agencies take 15%, still out of the performer's fee.
- Model and commercial agencies, 20% plus GST on top. The agency adds an agency service fee of 20% of the talent fee, plus 10% GST on that fee, as its own line on your invoice. The performer receives the talent fee as quoted (Chic Management and Vivien's Models terms and conditions).
What the commission is charged on
In both models the percentage applies to the session fee, usage, overtime, wardrobe, fittings, travel and rollovers. It never applies to per diems, meal allowances, genuine reimbursements or the cost of wardrobe you reimburse.
The casting director's fee is a separate line. The casting director works for you, charges a flat project fee and takes no percentage of the talent.
Super, workers comp and payroll tax
These are worked out on the talent fee in both models. Super is 12% of the performer's fee, paid on top. It isn't reduced by an acting agent's 10%, and it isn't charged on a model agency's 20% service fee or its GST. Workers compensation and payroll tax use the same talent fee as their base.
A worked example
One featured extra for a day at the $1,500 CGA floor, with broadcaster video on demand added at 50% (CGA guideline, 24 September 2024). The talent fee is $2,250. The shoot is in New South Wales, where the performer workers compensation rate for FY 2026-27 is 1.32%.
| Line | Acting agent, 10% | Model agency, 20% + GST |
|---|---|---|
| Talent fee | $2,250.00 | $2,250.00 |
| Agency service fee | None | $450.00 |
| GST on the service fee | None | $45.00 |
| Super, 12% of the talent fee | $270.00 | $270.00 |
| Workers comp, NSW | $29.70 | $29.70 |
| Your cost | $2,549.70 | $3,044.70 |
| Performer receives, before tax | $2,025.00 | $2,250.00 |
The same performer on the same day costs $495 more through a model agency, and earns $225 more. Payroll tax is left out of the example because it depends on your total wages for the year.
Putting it in the budget
Set the commission model on each talent line in the project budget. A 10% line leaves your total unchanged, and a 20% line adds the service fee and its GST to it. To show a performer what they keep after the agent and tax, use the take-home calculator.
