How much reality TV stars REALLY get paid to appear on shows like Bachelor In Paradise

Their shows may bring in millions of viewers, but Australia’s favourite reality stars are earning a lot less than you think.  

According to respected industry insider Robert McKnight, contestants appearing on programs such as Bachelor In Paradise, Married At First Sight and Big Brother earn very little for their time.  

‘If we judge it by what the contestants on House Rules get paid, they would get a $500 fee per week and a $500 allowance,’ McKnight told The Quicky podcast this week.  

Cashing in: The unexpected amount reality TV stars REALLY get paid to appear on shows like Bachelor In Paradise, MAFS and House Rules has been revealed. Pictured: Bachelor In Paradise star Keira Maguire 

McKnight explained that the wage of House Rules stars came to light last year when a former contestant took action against Channel Seven through the Workers Compensation Commission. 

‘[Contestants] don’t have to pay for any meals as all their expenses are covered. But you’ve still got your mortgages, your bills etc,’ he continued, adding that appearing on reality TV ‘isn’t going to make you money’.  

McKnight went on to explain how some celebrities have managed to cash in after their appearance on reality TV by doing paid gigs such as nightclub appearances, doing sponsored Instagram posts and selling personalised videos on Cameo.  

Not making bank: According to respected industry insider Robert McKnight (pictured), contestants appearing on programs such as Bachelor In Paradise, Married At First Sight and Big Brother earn very little for their time

Not making bank: According to respected industry insider Robert McKnight (pictured), contestants appearing on programs such as Bachelor In Paradise, Married At First Sight and Big Brother earn very little for their time 

‘But it’s very few and far between that the ones can actually make a career out of it,’ he warned. 

BACHELOR IN PARADISE  

According to the So Dramatic! podcast, most cast-members appearing Channel Ten’s Bachelor In Paradise take home approximately $500 to $1,000 for a day’s work.   

‘Some contestants were able to bargain and get $1,000 a day… and then people like Keira can demand more,’ the host explained in a recent episode. 

‘I heard Keira’s fee was close to $50,000, but honestly that’s just a rumour and not confirmed because contract negotiations are very confidential.’  

Worth the drama? According to the So Dramatic! podcast, most cast-members appearing Channel Ten's Bachelor In Paradise take home approximately $500 to $1,000 for a day's work. Pictured: Bachelor In Paradise's Kiki Morris and Ciarran Stott

Worth the drama? According to the So Dramatic! podcast, most cast-members appearing Channel Ten’s Bachelor In Paradise take home approximately $500 to $1,000 for a day’s work. Pictured: Bachelor In Paradise’s Kiki Morris and Ciarran Stott 

'I heard Keira's fee was close to $50,000': The So Dramatic! podcast recently claimed that reality TV veteran Keira Magurie (pictured) could have earned up to $50,000 for her time on Bachelor In Paradise this year

‘I heard Keira’s fee was close to $50,000’: The So Dramatic! podcast recently claimed that reality TV veteran Keira Magurie (pictured) could have earned up to $50,000 for her time on Bachelor In Paradise this year 

Last year, Ivan Krslovic told The Daily Telegraph that he only received $100-$200 per day to appear on the show.

Ivan’s rather modest paycheck paled in comparison to the staggering amount his co-star Alex Nation was allegedly paid to appear on the show.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Alex was reportedly paid a staggering ‘$5000 per day for her TV showdown with ex Richie Strahan’ on the show.    

Nothing to write home about: Last year, Ivan Krslovic (pictured) told The Daily Telegraph that he only received $100-$200 per day to appear on Bachelor In Paradise

Nothing to write home about: Last year, Ivan Krslovic (pictured) told The Daily Telegraph that he only received $100-$200 per day to appear on Bachelor In Paradise  

MY KITCHEN RULES

In July, a former contestant on Channel Seven’s My Kitchen Rules told The Daily Telegraph that they earned a weekly stipend of $1000.  

‘We were shooting six days a week and we got paid $1000. It isn’t good money,’ they said. 

‘[Producers] would also give us $200 vouchers for Coles, which covered our groceries to practice our cooking. The $200 definitely didn’t even cover those groceries though,’ they added.  

Cash claims: In July, a former contestant on Channel Seven's My Kitchen Rules told The Daily Telegraph that they earned a weekly stipend of $1000. Pictured: My Kitchen Rules' former judges Manu Feildel and Pete Evans

Cash claims: In July, a former contestant on Channel Seven’s My Kitchen Rules told The Daily Telegraph that they earned a weekly stipend of $1000. Pictured: My Kitchen Rules’ former judges Manu Feildel and Pete Evans 

MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT 

Channel Nine’s Married At First Sight, one of the most successful reality TV shows in recent years, reportedly pays participants just $150 a day.

Several former MAFS stars have said the allowance is far too low.

‘You get $150 for the day, that’s it. But on top of that, you have to pay expenses,’ season five star Nasser Sultan told Woman’s Day magazine in January.  

Paltry packet: Channel Nine's Married At First Sight, one of the most successful reality TV shows in recent years, reportedly pays participants just $150 a day. Pictured: Married At First Sight's Stacey Hampton

Paltry packet: Channel Nine’s Married At First Sight, one of the most successful reality TV shows in recent years, reportedly pays participants just $150 a day. Pictured: Married At First Sight’s Stacey Hampton 

‘It’s not $150 clear. You still have to pay rent if you’re renting, you’ve got to pay your rego and it’s 12-hour filming days.’

Nasser added that the participants still have to buy their own groceries, which is often a ‘really expensive’ exercise.

Fellow 2018 participant Telv Williams also criticised the show’s allowance, telling News Corp in April 2019 that the show doesn’t cover anyone’s personal expenses. 

Disgruntled: 'You get $150 for the day, that's it. But on top of that, you have to pay expenses,' season five star Nasser Sultan (pictured) told Woman's Day magazine in January

Disgruntled: ‘You get $150 for the day, that’s it. But on top of that, you have to pay expenses,’ season five star Nasser Sultan (pictured) told Woman’s Day magazine in January

‘You get paid $150 dollars a day, tax free. It’s s**t, it’s rubbish. Everything is off your own f**king back,’ he said. 

‘You’ve got to do all your own hair and makeup. You’ve got to do your own dress, buy your own clothes.’ 

THE BACHELOR / THE BACHELORETTE 

In 2018, The Daily Telegraph reported that most contestants starring on the Channel 10 dating franchise were ‘paid less than $100 a day’ – an amount below the minimum wage   

Below minimum wage: In 2018, The Daily Telegraph reported that most contestants starring on the Channel 10 dating franchise were 'paid less than $100 a day'. Pictured: The Bachelor 2018 star Nick Cummins

Below minimum wage: In 2018, The Daily Telegraph reported that most contestants starring on the Channel 10 dating franchise were ‘paid less than $100 a day’. Pictured: The Bachelor 2018 star Nick Cummins 

Meanwhile, in 2019 an unnamed Bachelor contestant complained that their compensation for being stuck in the mansion was modest.

‘You don’t get paid a wage as such, you get given a weekly expense allowance which is under $100 a day. It is below minimum wage,’ she told News Corp at the tme.    

‘It’s ridiculous what you get paid. A lot of the girls were excited to get that amount a week, but I was like are you serious I wouldn’t get out of bed for that.’

'It's ridiculous what you get paid:' Meanwhile, in 2019 an unnamed Bachelor contestant complained that their compensation for being stuck in the mansion was modest. Pictured: The Bachelor host Osher Gunsberg

‘It’s ridiculous what you get paid:’ Meanwhile, in 2019 an unnamed Bachelor contestant complained that their compensation for being stuck in the mansion was modest. Pictured: The Bachelor host Osher Gunsberg 

A 2016 Fairfax Media report also claimed Bachelor contestants made just $90 a day.

I’M A CELEBRITY… GET ME OUT OF HERE!   

Established stars competing on I’m A Celebrity reportedly make a minimum of $10,000 for their appearance on the Channel 10 show. 

However, more famous names make significantly more, with comedian Tom Arnold previously claiming on Twitter he earned ‘$600k-$700k’ for his time in the jungle.

Similarly. News Corp previously reporting that Bernard Tomic would have made $1 million if he lasted more than two weeks in the jungle in 2018.  

Cricket star Shane Warne was also paid $2m to appear on the show in 2016.

Star power: Established stars competing on I'm A Celebrity reportedly make a minimum of $10,000 for their appearance on the Channel 10 show. Pictured: I'm A Celebrity hosts Julia Morris and Dr Chris Brown

Star power: Established stars competing on I’m A Celebrity reportedly make a minimum of $10,000 for their appearance on the Channel 10 show. Pictured: I’m A Celebrity hosts Julia Morris and Dr Chris Brown 

Good innings! Cricket star Shane Warne  (pictured) was paid $2m to appear on the show in 2016

Good innings! Cricket star Shane Warne  (pictured) was paid $2m to appear on the show in 2016