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, unlike other jobs within The Arts, the ‘business of comedy‘ is not regulated by an Award rate. While the Australian Government’s Fair Work Ombudsman’s ‘Pay Guide – …
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. …
If you’re a fresh open mic comedian, perhaps one that’s just graduated from the Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School, then creating an open mic comedy night is one of the best ways to get guaranteed and intense stage time. You can also trade stage time with other comedy room runners. And if you’re a pub, looking to increase bar sales …
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 …
If you want to book a comedian for your corporate event, sports or RSL club then here’s how: 1. Go Direct The cheapest, and sometimes easiest way to book a comedian is go direct. A few professioanl comedians management their own website and answer messages and emails directly. Jack Levi, aka Elliot Goblet, is one such professional comedian who can …
(Updated 6 July, 2026) We’re going to go with 180. 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 …
