Reality TV

How much are SAS Australia recruits paid?

These a-listers are certainly pulling in the big bucks..
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It’s the gruelling military selection show that has put A-listers through the ringer (literally) for three action packed seasons, but celebs aren’t signing up for just the experience on SAS Australia.

In fact, it would come as no surprise that Channel Seven is forking out the big bucks to attract talent to appear on what is arguably one of the toughest reality television franchises across the globe.

With a 2023 lineup that ranges from professional athletes, reality stars, real life heroes and villains, actors and more, here’s what they are rumoured to be earning, and what previous recruits HAVE earned.

THE 2020 SALARIES

The season one recruits.

(IMAGE: Channel Seven)

A show insider told our sister publication New Idea that whilst some of the 2020 recruits were raking in the big bucks, others were earning a much more modest salary.

The source suggested that it was a ”sliding scale” behind convicted drug trafficker Schapelle Corby, who was reportedly earning $150,000 for her appearance, followed closely by Nick ‘The Honey Badger’ Cummins and former ironwoman Candice Warner.

On the lower end of the scale was Jackson Warne who was said to be earning a ”measly” $5k per day.

THE 2021 SALARIES

The season two recruits.

(IMAGE: Channel Seven)

In 2021, Bra Boy Koby Abberton revealed that he was paid an impressive $100,000 to take part in the second season of SAS Australia.

Tennis great Mark Philippoussis also raked in the same amount.

In the same season, NRL star Sam Burgess earned the big bucks with a paycheck that was reported to be between $150,000 to $200,000.

Koby and Sam pulled in the big bucks to appear on SAS Australia.

(IMAGE: Channel Seven)

On a lower (although still sizable) band of pay was footballer Heath Shaw, tennis star Alicia Molik, track athlete John Steffensen, model Erin Holland and Aussie actress Isabelle Cornish who were all reported to be cashing in cheques between $60,000 and $80,000.

Going down yet another pay scale, Jana Pittman, Dan Ewing, Jessica Peris, Jett Kenny, Kerri Pottharst and Brynne Edelsten all took home salaries between $50,000 and $70,000.

The lowest paid recruit was former Labor Party member Emma Husar with $25,000.

It is worth noting however that these numbers are reported and could possibly change depending on how long contestants remain on the show.

THE 2022 SALARIES

The season three recruits.

(IMAGE: Channel Seven)

If you thought Sam Burgess salary from the 2021 season was huge, fellow sporting great Wayne Carey saw an even bigger payday from his appearance just twelve months later at a monster $250,000.

According to our sister publication New Idea, it was Wayne himself who revealed his paycheck during a cast dinner after filming wrapped.

”Despite the cast racking up a tab of ‘several thousand dollars’ at the soiree, Carey ‘declared his monster salary and paid for everything’,” a source said.

THE 2023 SALARIES

The season four recruits.

(IMAGE: Channel Seven)

New Idea sources have revealed which A-lister is being paid the most to appear on the upcoming season of SAS Australia.

Convicted drug smuggler Cassie Sainsbury is one of the ”highest paid of the cast this year,” an inside source told the publication. The remaining recruits are allegedly raking in up to $30,000.

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