Melbourne International Comedy Festival - School of Hard Knock Knocks

How do you perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) in 2026?

Photo: Eddie PerfectPhoto Credit: Melbourne International Comedy Festival / Jim Lee Photo So how do you get to perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) in 2026? Is it invite only? Do you need to know the mayor? Is a bribe required? The good news for Australians and New Zealanders is that anyone can perform – without a bribe. …

Stand-up-comedian-Gigme-Disruption

Gigme disrupts live performance industry

The live performance industry is getting disrupted by a technology. And this tech is called Gigme! Mobile first, and available on Apple ioS and Android, Gigme helps live performers get paid. It removes the hassle of chasing invoices, negotiating contracts, and managing payments. With an automated escrow system, performers can lock in gigs with confidence and get paid on time—every …

How much do stand-up comedians make in Australia?

How much do stand-up comedians make in Australia?

One of the most common questions asked by Hard Knock Knocks comedy students is “How much do stand-up comedians make?” It’s a valid question, but unfortunately one that is hard to answer. Firstly, the industry is not regulated by an Award rate, unlike other jobs within The Arts. While the Australian Government’s Fair Work Ombudsman’s ‘Pay Guide – Live Performance …

How many professional stand-up comedians are there in Australia?

How many professional stand-up comedians are there in Australia?

(Updated 23 April, 2025) We’re going to go with 175. But answering how many stand-up comedians there are in Australia is tricky, given the transient nature of this performing art. Comedians often take a break from ‘gigging’ to jump on jobs in theatre, radio, TV and even writing books. Here’s our ‘living document’ our ‘Stand-up comedian list’ of current list …