The Contract between Independent Producer and ABC RN

Contracts across ABC RN vary depending on function and each program has their own way of dealing with freelancers.

For a standard commission of a feature program, the total fee will be divied up between ‘labour’ and ‘broadcast rights’ at a ratio of about 7:3. The ABC is obliged to pay superannuation to freelancers on ‘labour’ – but it isn’t on ‘broadcast rights’. Unless the ABC has bought the program outright, then they will pay you re-broadcast fees, at a diminishing rate. This is just a broad outline – for detailed information you need to speak with your EP.

There are a few other things to take note of that are usually in a standard contract:

• The EP has the right to audition and adivse on all aspects of the program and has ultimate editorial control
  
• The ABC is under no obligation to broadcast the finished program
  
• Intellectual and artistic copyright remains with you as the artist. The ABC, as a consequence of the commission, retains rights in the master sound recording in terms of exercising options on further publication and any further licencing arrangements

Around the time you sign the contract there will be other forms to fill out as well including the superannuation form. You will need an ABN and have to provide bank account details.

Kyla Brettle

Independent Producer & Lecturer in Radio at RMIT University