If you’ve ever wanted to see the back of your head or, indeed, your entire face for a fleeting half-second on Home and Away or in some Netflix police drama filmed in a cafe you once wobbled into for a flat white, then step right up. Because, dear reader, the world of TV and film extras is humming with opportunity for Australians in their 60s. And it is intoxicating. Maybe not Oscar-winningly so, but definitely worth a story at the next Sunday lunch.
The real demand these days is authenticity. Directors want a busy Sydney street or bustling Melbourne GP waiting room that genuinely looks the way Australia looks: diverse, lived-in, and delightfully seasoned with people just like you – silver-haired, dignified, and refusing to disappear quietly into the recliner.
You do not need an agent. The brave new world of background stardom is built on the web. Start where every millennial actor/model/influencer starts: casting websites.
StarNow is the mothership of extras gigs in Australia – 771 extra jobs live at time of writing, from walking past a food truck in a series pilot to getting joyously splashed by Bondi surf in an ad. You will need to create a profile with a clear, unfiltered headshot (think natural daylight, not nightclub). No need for professional glamour; honesty is key – if you are asked to play “retired IT manager in Crocs” and you are, in fact, a former IT manager who has, alas, bought Crocs, you will shoot to the top of the shortlist.
SEEK isn’t just for office folk and backpacker bartenders. It has a regular supply of TV and film extra jobs – everything from “bus passenger, 50+” to “gentle grandparent, non-speaking”. Browse their Performing Arts section for roles and register for alerts, so you’re first to know when Scorsese’s next gig lands in Brisbane.
Casting Agencies are also excellent gateways. Try MCTV (Sydney), Real People (Melbourne), and Movie Extras Club (nationwide). These agencies specialise in background roles for major productions and have contactless online sign-up. Be wary of anyone who tries to upsell you on unnecessary “pro” photos; a crisp phone snap will suffice.
Social media: Facebook groups like “Melbourne Actors (Cast, Crew & Extras)” and “Audition Notices Australia” often post calls for extras of all ages.
Ah, the glamour! Or, as most working extras would sigh, “Hurry up and wait.”
Your day starts with a very early alarm, a minor existential crisis, and arrival on set at least half an hour ahead of your call time. Paperwork, sign-in, and a whirl through wardrobe and makeup, perhaps just a dab of powder and a stern “don’t touch the costume!.” If your role calls for “gala guest” or “hospital visitor,” you might bring along some of your own duds (formalwear, business shirts). If so, you are entitled to a wardrobe fee – about $67 for bringing that navy suit you wore to a wedding in 1998. Then, you wait. There’s a vast amount of waiting. If you’re shooting a single cafe scene, you might spend hours reading, knitting, or swapping legends with other extras before shuffling into position for your moment in the blurry background behind the stars.
You will likely break for a catered lunch (usually after the “real” stars and main crew have eaten), then shuffle back to wait for another few takes. Production days are often long – up to 12 hours for big shoots, so bring a power bank, book, and snacks, and prepare to make friends with people you never would have met otherwise. The best extras are patient, positive, and follow instructions well: “Sit. Sip coffee. Look ‘interested but not acting’.” Do not look at the camera unless you want your face permanently consigned to the editing-room floor.
Don’t cash in your super just yet, but you will be paid, and usually above minimum wage:
Standard extra rates (TV & film): About $30.86 to $35.24 per hour, with a minimum call of four hours (around $123–$140 for a half-day).
Full day: Typically, $225–$247, occasionally more for larger commercials or if you’re “featured” (given a specific look or a single line to say). Wardrobe/Extra Duties: Extra fees (upwards of $52 an hour) for attending a fitting or bringing your own kit.
Extras are protected by minimum pay rates set out in the MEAA (Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance) agreements. You might wait months for the cheque (it’s showbiz, darling), but you’ll have stories – and a blinding moment basking in the reflected glamour of Australia’s production boom.
Becoming an extra in your 60s promises more than a spot on the screen: it’s a passport to adventure, social circles, and an excuse to dine out on behind-the- scenes stories. Keep your StarNow profile up to date, check SEEK for roles, join agency rosters, and above all – show up on time and with patience. You might only get “coffee drinker #3”, but who knows? It could lead to “Coffee Shop Owner: recurring guest.” Stranger things have happened – on screen, and off.
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