How much are MasterChef contestants paid?
Back in 2013, aka during the fifth season of the show, an old copy of the MasterChef contract - obtained by Fairfax Media and reported by Sydney Morning Herald - revealed that MasterChef contestants were earning “$630 a week while they were filming episodes in Melbourne.”
For reference, that number is just *slightly* more than the minimum weekly wage for an entry level chef of $583 per week, and if it were an annual salary, it would be an estimated $35,000 per year. According to the Fair Work Act Australia, the national minimum wage is currently $740.80 for a 38 hour week, which estimates to $41,500 before tax.
Apparently, the situation was even more dire in 2011, with News.com.au reporting that contestants were paid a mere $500 a week, which is less than half of the average wage of $1,291 at the time.
WATCH: Poh Ling Yeow is eliminated from MasterChef
How much were past MasterChef contestants paid to come back?
Fortunately, last season’s season of MasterChef, which saw contestants from past seasons make a return, foresaw a much better result. According to Yahoo Sports, New Idea magazine reported that season one runner-up and Aussie fave Poh Ling Yeow, 48, and season three’s Hayden Quinn, 34, were earning $40,000 overall for their time on the show.
MasterChef Australia returns tonight on Monday, the 19th of April, on Channel Ten at 7:30. For everything sweet and spicy about the show and its contestants, make sure to tune into WHO.