SNBA and VICPA Call for Fair Engagement of Creative Freelancers
SNBA and VICPA have issued a joint call to businesses across the creative and hospitality sectors to uphold fair, respectful and professional practices when contracting creative freelancers.
Following VICPA’s expanded representation to include freelance performing artists, both Associations are partnering to raise standards around hiring, contracting and payment terms in the nightlife industry.
Core Key Engagement Terms (KET)
To minimise disputes and establish clear expectations, we strongly urge operators to adopt the Tripartite Standard on Contracting with Self-Employed (TS-SEP) as a baseline framework:
– Clear Payment Terms: Upfront alignment with a standard practice of fulfilling payments within 30 days from the invoice date.
– Transparent Deliverables: Pre-aligned performance scopes, schedules, and expectations to ensure smooth coordination.
– Balanced Cancellations: Structured notice periods and fair compensation terms that protect both the venue and the artist.
Leading By Example
Progressive SNBA member venues such as Nova, HighHouse, and Blackbird are already leading the industry by actively implementing these structured agreements and fair payment frameworks. To support more businesses in adopting these standards, SNBA and VICPA are currently co-developing a specialized Key Engagement Terms template tailored for nightlife projects.