Ratecards: find out the rates for the work you do
With the exception of rates for our theatre members which are determined by the collective bargaining agreements with the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre (formerly the Theatrical Management Association), the information here reflects the recommended going rates set by the relevant freelance branch(es), covering film and independent production, after consultation with members. Bectu also recommends minimum terms and conditions for all those not covered by an agreement.
Access our Grading Schemes and Agreements
Animation and VFX
The Animation and VFX branch’s Ratecard for Film and TV is below.
Animation and VFX Branch Ratecard 2025
VFX Freelance Shoot Crew Ratecard for Film & TV 2022
Art Department
The Art Department branch’s Ratecard is below.
Art Technicians
The Bectu Art Technicians branch rate guidance is below.
Bectu Art Technicians Rate Guidance Dec 2023
Assistant Directors
Below is the 2024 Rate Card for Assistant Directors working in Feature Film including projects working under the terms of the Major Motion Picture Agreement and independent TV Drama covered under the PACT-BECTU TV Drama Agreement.
Branch Committee Details and Other Information Document
Those working in Continuing Drama or Serials for the BBC should refer to the appropriate rate card on this page; similarly those working in the same area at ITV should refer to their rates documentation.
Those working in Commercials & Promos should follow the current “APA Recommended Crew Terms dated July 2022” until such a time as it is amended.
From 6th April onwards, the AD Branch asks that its members negotiate all contracts going forward to include no more than 30 minutes Prep and 30 minutes Wrap each working day and reflect this in their rate. If more is still asked for, this should be appropriately charged.
ADS branch unified ratecard 2024
Essential guide for DGA Directors working in UK with 1st Assistant Directors
ATG Concert Rates
The Bectu/ATG One Night Concert (or Rock and Roll) Rates are used on occasions where a promoter is bringing in a concert for one night only and it is agreed between Bectu and ATG that it is commercially more appropriate to use these rates, which only apply to non permanent, regularly employed or casual technical staff. All permanent technical staff always work to their own in house agreements which have been agreed between Bectu and ATG. Bectu crews must be given advance notice by the employer that a promoter is being allowed to use the one night concert rates and any queries or concerns about a promoter being allowed to use these rates must be raised with the venue Bectu steward as early as possible before the day of the concert.
Bectu/ATG Rock and Roll (Concert) Agreement effective April 2024
BBC Drama: Continuing, Series & Serial
The BBC has an agreement with Bectu which covers the core interests of all freelancers working on BBC productions. The framework agreement was agreed in April 2010. These documents contain information on minimum rates, effective 1 April 2018, for Continuing Drama Series and Series and Serials.
BBC Freelance Rates: Series and Serials (1 April 2018)
BBC Freelance Rates: Continuing Drama Series (1 April 2018)
BBC Scotland freelance rates
This Document sets out the minimum rates for Freelances and Casuals engaged by BBC Scotland effective from 1 April 2025 until 31 March 2026.
BBC Scotland Freelance/Casual Rates 2025
BBC Studioworks, Kelvin Hall Studios Glasgow – Freelance rates
Camera
These ratecards cover film and TV drama and Factual and Outside Broadcast.
Find out more about the work the branch does at their website.
Camera Branch Ratecard Factual and Outside Broadcast 2022
Camera Branch Ratecard Film and TV Drama 2025
Construction (Major Features)
Pact/Bectu rates for Construction crew on Major Motion Pictures 2025 – 2026, As of 1 September 2021 the agreement shall also apply to a single piece of theatric-type content (i.e., not a series) intended for a global SVOD (Subscription Video On Demand) platform with a production budget equal to or in excess of £30,000,000.
Costume
These are the recommended rates of pay for freelancers in costume and wardrobe. The latest rates, published in July 2023, are based on information gathered from members across every level of the film industry. Rates are quoted for all grades – from costume designer through to costume PA – and are divided into film budget bands. Advice is also given on basic and ‘rolled’ up rates as they relate to holiday pay. Bectu recommends that freelancers accept no less than the figures quoted. An updated TV ratecard is being worked on.
Find out more about the work the branch does at their website.
Costume Professionals: Your Rights At Work booklet
Costume Film Rate Card July 2023
Costume TV Rate Card July 2023
FAA (Background Artistes)
Members working within the 40 miles from Charing Cross Zone on Pact productions will benefit from working under these rates. This includes those working in Background Artiste, Doubling and Stand In roles. Bectu encourages all members, agents and productions to work to these rates as an industry standard. The agreed set of rates covers Standard and Continuous Day and Night calls, Shift calls, Non-Performance calls, meal penalties, fees for supplementary performances and services, and travel allowances.
To access the full FAA-Pact Agreement, you will need to be a member, and you will need to log in to access it. The FAA Rates App is being redeveloped and should not be used by members currently. Please use the ratecard below for reference in the meantime.
You can view the FAA-Pact Agreement under the Film Artistes Association (FAA) Agreement section of our Agreements & Grading Schemes page.
Find out more information on joining Bectu.
Scottish Freelance Branch
This Document sets out the agreed rates and conditions for Freelances engaged by QTV (Quipu TV) effective from 1 July 2024 until 30 June 2026.
Scottish Freelance Branch Agreement with QTV 2024-2026
Grips
These are the latest ratecards for Grips in film and TV. The film ratecard applies to films with budgets £30m and above, under £30m and less than £10m. The rates for films with budgets £30m and above should be read in conjunction with the new agreement covering major motion pictures introduced on 2 April 2018 and amended 5 April 2021.
Bectu Grips Branch Ratecard April 2024
Crane Technicians Rate Card 1st April 2023
Hair, Make-Up & Prosthetics
Please visit the Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics branch website to view our department rate cards. The rate card for hair and make-up workers supporting the fashion industry (editorial, lookbooks, film, photography, promotion, etc) is also below.
TV Drama and Feature Film Hair and Make-up rate card
Prosthetics rate card (shooting crew)
Fashion Hair and Make-Up Ratecard
Independent Theatre Council
There are currently two agreements between Bectu and ITC. One covering freelance Theatre Producers and one for employed Technical & Administrative staff. They are both intended for workers in the small scale theatre sector.
ITC Bectu Technical and Administrative Collective Agreement 2024
Independent Theatre Council Bectu Independent Producers Collective Agreement
Intimacy Coordinators
Intimacy Coordinator Rate Card and Guidance 2022-2024
Locations
These are the recommended going rates for film and TV covering supervising location managers, location managers, assistant location managers, location scouts and location assistants, from micro-budgets to mid-budget productions.
Location Branch – Film and TV drama Rates 2025
London Live Events
London Live Events Rates Guidance – Corporate & Venues 2024
Lighting Technicians
All our ratecard information for all Lighting Technicians (including on Commercials, Feature Films, TV Dramas and more) is available to view on this specialist page.
Northern Live Events
Northern Live Events Network rate guidance 2024
Outside Broadcast
This is the current ratecard for Outside Broadcast as produced by the Sound Branch. Published January 2023.
Outside Broadcast Sound Rates February 2023
Bectu OB recommended rates and terms April 2023
Photographic Technicians
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Short-form terms and conditions 2024 coming soon
Post Production
Our Rate Cards are updated annually by the Committee and cover Feature Film, TV Drama, Factual & Entertainment & Short Form. We determine the current rates within the Industry by collecting anonymous data through our Rate Card Surveys from members and non-members of Bectu. Please complete the Rate Card Survey at the start of every new job, circulate it amongst your colleagues and encourage everyone to complete it, to help us obtain accurate, current, and representative figures. Feel free to enter as many jobs as you would like, going back up to five years.
Post Production & Facilities Branch – Film Ratecard 2023-2025
Post Production & Facilities Branch – Factual & Entertainment Ratecard 2023-2025
Post Production & Facilities Branch -TV Drama Ratecard 2023-2025
Post Production & Facilities Branch – Short Form Ratecard 2023-2025
Post Production & Facilities Branch – Post-Sound ratecard 2023-2025
Production
This is the Bectu Production branch minimum ratecard.
LPD Film and TV Production branch ratecard 2023
Props
These are the recommend rates for Props. These documents also provide some guidance on working hours, overtime, prep/wrap of which more details can be found in either the tv or film agreement docs here.
Props modellers ratecard 2024/25
Props painters rate card 2024/25
Riggers
Runners
Set Crafts (Carpenters and Scenic Painters)
These are the recommended rates for Carpenters and Scenic Painters working in TV Drama. For Major Motion Picture rates please see the Construction rate card.
Special Effects (SFX)
This is the 2024 SFX Branch Ratecard. It covers workers doing physical and pyrotechnic special effects in Major Motion Pictures and TV Drama. It also includes guidance on rates/hours on a ‘Workshop Day’ and notes on the application of the Bectu agreements to SFX departments.
Society of London Theatres
The collective bargaining agreement between Bectu and UK Theatres which covers theatres in the Commercial West End. Below are the minimum rates for staff. If you are offered a buyout contract you are advised to check that the rate you are offered is not below the minimum rate for the grade.
Bectu SOLT rates October 2023 – January 2026
Bectu/SOLT Buyout calculator June 2024
SOLT Bectu Agreement amendment January 2024 with note of clarification
Sound
This is the current ratecard for Production Sound as produced by the London Production Division Sound Branch. Published June 2023.
This is the current ratecard for Outside Broadcast as produced by the Sound Branch. Published January 2023.
Outside Broadcast Sound Rates February 2023
Stagehands
Bectu advises all members working as Standby Stagehands to use this Bectu rate card when agreeing pay with productions. These can be negotiated up, but we recommend not accepting work for below these rates. Should you have any queries about the rates or terms and conditions you’ve been offered, please call your Bectu official to discuss before accepting the role.
Standby Stagehands Ratecard 2022
Touring Theatre
The Bectu Guide to Good Practice on Touring Productions is not a collective agreement but it sets out what Bectu believe to be current good practice among employers who tour productions to venues across the UK (with the exception of those London venues that are members of SOLT). The UK Theatre minimum rates will apply however below is the Bectu rates guidance which is designed to help you negotiate your rates for work in Touring Theatre. Please note, these have not been agreed with UK Theatre or any other employer.
Bectu Guide to Good Practice on Touring Productions July 2024
Bectu Touring Theatre Professional Rates Guidance January 2023
Bectu/UK Theatre Buyout Calculator June 2024
Bectu Timesheet Template June 2023
UK Theatre
The collective bargaining agreement between Bectu and UK Theatre covers most commercial theatres outside London Organisation Membership – UK Theatre.Below are the minimum rates for staff. It is a minimum terms agreement so many venues have local agreements that are better than the collective agreement. Also below are the latest UK Theatre/ Equity /Bectu rates for lighting designers, set and costume designers and resident designers.
These documents are for members only and you will need to login to access them. Find out more information on joining Bectu.
UK Theatre/Bectu Rates 2024-2025
Bectu/UK Theatre Buyout Calculator June 2024
UK Theatre / Equity Overseas Touring Agreement Rates from 8 January 2024
Theatre Freelancers Rates Guidance 2025
UK Theatre/SOLT Opera and Ballet Touring Allowances 2024
UKT Equity Bectu Designer Lighting rates 2023-2024
UKT Equity Bectu Resident Designer rates 2023-2024
UKT Equity Bectu Designer Set and Costume rates 2023-2024
Unscripted TV
The guidance below should be used by freelancers to negotiate rates of pay starting at the listed baseline rate and negotiating upward of that figure based on your experience and the demands of the role.
Production Accountants
This is the current Bectu Production Accountants Branch minimum ratecard.
Production Accounts Department TV Drama Ratecard
Unit Drivers
This is the Bectu Production Transport branch minimum rates for Unit Drivers that work in Film and TV (Effective from 1stJanuary 2021).