In November 2021, the Australian Society of Authors (ASA) conducted its Annual Member Survey. There were a record 831 responses from its members who answered questions about advances for their most recent publications. They found that in 2020, 52% of respondents received no advance. In 2021, that number grew to 58%. Only 13% of respondents reported receiving an advance over $10,000; a small decrease from 14.6% in 2020.
In 2020 ASA surveyed both members and non-members about the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the income of Australian creators. They reported on the dire state of authors’ income in Australia. ‘While earning a living as a writer or illustrator has always been challenging in Australia, the results of this survey demonstrate that authors are struggling to make even a basic living.’ This most recent survey in 2021 demonstrates ‘a continued downward trend in creator income.’
