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Rate cards: UK & Ireland

Where to find the official rate cards and agreements for Film and TV crew in the UK and Ireland, in one place, so you can go into every negotiation knowing the going rate.

Rates change every year, so we link straight to the official sources rather than copying figures that could go out of date. Some documents are for Bectu members only. Links last checked October 2026. TALENT. SORTED. isn’t part of Bectu, Pact, SIPTU or SPI.

UK

Bectu rate cards by department

Bectu’s branches publish recommended minimum rates for most departments, based on member surveys. They’re all on one page on the Bectu website.

Open all Bectu rate cards
  • Animation and VFX
  • Art Department
  • Art Technicians
  • Assistant Directors
  • BBC Drama: Continuing, Series & Serial
  • BBC Scotland freelance rates
  • Broadcast and Film Chaperones and Tutors
  • Camera
  • Construction (Major Features)
  • Costume
  • FAA (Background Artistes)
  • Grips
  • Hair, Make-Up & Prosthetics
  • Intimacy Coordinators
  • Lighting Technicians
  • Locations
  • Outside Broadcast
  • Photographic Technicians
  • Post Production
  • Production
  • Production Accountants
  • Props
  • Riggers
  • Runners
  • Scottish Freelance Branch
  • Set Crafts
  • Special Effects (SFX)
  • Sound
  • Unit Drivers
  • Unscripted TV

Branch rate card pages

Pact/Bectu agreements

Pact represents independent production companies. Together with Bectu, it agrees the terms that crew work under on qualifying productions.

Pact/Bectu Major Motion Picture Agreement

Who it’s for: Feature films (and theatrical-style streaming films) with a budget of £30 million or more.

  • Sets the working terms: a 55-hour, 5-day standard week, overtime, 6th and 7th day pay, night work and turnaround.
  • Department rate cards for these films are published by the Bectu branches and updated each year.
  • Many branches also publish lower-budget film bands, and suggest using the agreement’s terms as best practice below £30m.
Bectu agreementsSummary (Bectu Costume)

Pact/Bectu Scripted TV Agreement (2023)

Who it’s for: Independent UK scripted TV drama and comedy, including made-for-streaming series and TV films.

  • Productions sit in four budget bands based on cost per broadcast hour (Band 1 up to £1.25m, up to Band 4 above £8m).
  • Covers working day patterns, overtime, early calls, night work and consecutive day premiums.
  • Does not cover soaps, multi-camera shows, factual, documentaries or entertainment.
Bectu agreementsSummary (Bectu Costume)

Unscripted TV

Who it’s for: Factual, documentary, entertainment and reality.

  • There’s no collective agreement with fixed minimum rates for unscripted TV.
  • Bectu publishes Unscripted TV rate guidance to use as your starting point when negotiating.
Bectu rate cards

Pact’s guidance for productions on contracting crew is at Pact resource hub.

Ireland

Ireland: SIPTU & SPI crew agreement

In Ireland, crew pay and conditions on film and TV drama are set by an agreement between the union SIPTU and Screen Producers Ireland. The craft guilds can also tell you the going rates in their department.

  • The SIPTU and Screen Producers Ireland (SPI) crew agreement covers live-action feature films and TV drama made in Ireland.
  • Minimum rates depend on the production’s budget band, based on its Eligible Irish Spend. Bands run from Micro (films under €750,000) up to the biggest productions.
  • It also sets out overtime, night work, turnaround, holiday pay, travel zones and the industry pension scheme.
  • It doesn’t cover animation, continuing soaps, documentaries or construction crew.
  • The rate card itself isn’t published openly. Ask SIPTU, your guild or the production for the current rates for your grade and band.
SIPTU/SPI crew agreement (PDF)SIPTUScreen Guilds of IrelandAll Irish screen guilds (Screen Ireland)Irish Equity (performers)

Using rate cards to negotiate

  • Treat rate cards as a minimum, not a ceiling. Negotiate up for experience, skills and the demands of the job.
  • Ask early which agreement (if any) the production is working under and what budget band it’s in.
  • Check whether your rate is for a 10-hour or 11-hour day, and how overtime, prep and wrap are paid.
  • Get the agreed rate and terms in writing before you start.
  • Rate cards change every year. Always check you’re looking at the latest one.
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