Fees to see a famous face

Rachel Hunter and John Campbell. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Top Aussie celebrities command up to $73,000 for appearing at events, but our A-listers are lucky to get more than $5000.

An Australian paper revealed this week that former Australian prime minister John Howard charges between $29,000 and $73,000 for each function he speaks at. The asking price for local presenters of MasterChef and Australian Dancing with the Stars ranges from $15,000 to $24,000, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

But on this side of the ditch, celebs walk away with far less.

Former All Black Eric Rush is understood to make up to $4000 per appearance, Fair Go host Kevin Milne's price ranges from $400-$1500 and Gary McCormick's is $2600- $3500 plus accommodation. McCormick said he charged less for community or school events.

All Blacks and high profile sports stars are said to be the best-paid and can charge $5000 and more.

Our overseas-based celebs are more likely to pull the big bucks.

Insiders say Rachel Hunter could get up to $10,000 for an event in New Zealand but would make "10 times that amount" overseas.

Former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick is said to take home about $12,000 for his appearances in the United Kingdom.

Jason Gunn, who hosts New Zealand's Dancing with the Stars among other shows, wasn't comfortable revealing his fee.

"I've done some doozies. Some of them have paid very well indeed but the ones that have paid little or nothing at all are the ones I enjoyed the most. he said.

"There is quite a lot of work that goes in to it. I'm not one to just turn up and pull out the same speech as I used last time, you have to make it relevant. Some people do turn up and use the same speech and take the money - I think that's a bit tragic really," Gunn said.

Milne considers himself a B-list celebrity, and says his price depends on the audience size and the "wealth of the organisation that's doing the event".

"I wouldn't call myself an A-level celebrity ... I imagine people like [Paul] Holmesy and Gary McCormick get paid a hell of a lot more than me," he said.

"I don't know what they get paid but I'd imagine the likes of John Campbell is the sort of person people would really go for. And Oliver Driver is a big name at the moment."