How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Face Painter in Australia?

Planning a kids party and wondering, “How much does a face painter actually cost?”

You are not alone. One entertainer might charge a lower rate, another is more expensive, and on the surface they can look pretty similar. When you are a busy parent trying to organise a fun, stress free party, that can be confusing.

Let’s make it easier.

In this guide, we will walk you through:

• What affects face painting prices in Australia (including Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide)

• Why some face painters charge more than others

• How many children can usually be painted in different timeframes

• How Kiddly-Winks structures our face painting packages so your party runs smoothly

By the end, you will have a clear idea of what you are paying for and how to pick the right option for your child’s big day.

Face painting is not the same at every party.

Some face painters:

• Focus on very quick, simple designs

• Aim to paint as many children as possible in a short time

Others, including many entertainment companies:

• Take a bit more time with each child

• Offer more detailed designs

• Help keep the party flowing and the kids happy while they wait

Both styles can work well. They just create different types of experiences, and that is a big part of why prices can be different.

Another big factor in face painting cost is experience.

Entertainers who work regularly at children’s parties are usually:

• Confident with loud, excited and wiggly kids

• Good at managing queues

• Able to stay calm when lots of children want their face painted at once

That confidence comes from training and real life party practice. It takes time and support, and that is often reflected in the price.

At Kiddly-Winks, our team members are trained in both face painting and entertaining children, so they are not only good artists but also great with kids and parents.

This is where the “how many kids can we actually get done” question comes in.

Different types of designs take different amounts of time, which affects how many children can be painted in the time you book.

Speedy designs are smaller or simpler designs that are still bright and fun, but quicker to paint. Think cheek art, small eye masks or quick superhero symbols.

• Approximate time: around 3 minutes per child

• Rough guide: 18 to 20 children per hour

These are a good choice if:

• You are having a large party

• Your main goal is to make sure most, or all, of the kids get a turn

Full face designs cover the whole face and usually include more detail. Think full tigers, butterflies, princesses, superheroes and sparkly unicorns.

• Approximate time: around 5 minutes per child

• Rough guide: around 12 children per hour

These work best for:

• Smaller parties

Longer bookings where each child can enjoy a bit more time in the chair

When you are comparing quotes, it is tempting to look only at the hourly rate. But it really helps to know how many kids can be painted in that time.

A cheaper face painter might be planning very quick designs and aiming to move fast.
A slightly higher price might include:

• More detailed full face designs

• More time chatting and interacting with each child

• Help managing the line so kids stay happy instead of restless

If you know roughly how many children can be painted, it is much easier to avoid that end of party moment where there are still five disappointed kids waiting in the queue.

Something else parents often notice is how the face painter interacts with the children.

Some face painters:

• Focus mainly on the painting itself

• Work quite quietly and just move from one child to the next

At Kiddly-Winks, our face painters are also trained as entertainers. That means while your child is in the chair or waiting nearby, they will:

• Chat with the kids and ask fun questions

• Tell little stories and crack silly jokes

• Help shy or nervous children feel comfortable

• Keep waiting kids engaged so the queue feels more like part of the fun

So instead of a silent line of bored kids, face painting becomes a little show within your party.

Behind the scenes, there is also the practical side of face painting.

Professional face painters will usually:

• Use cosmetic grade paints that are designed for children’s skin

• Follow hygiene practices between children

• Allow time to set up and pack down safely and neatly

These things are not always obvious in photos, but they are important. They also form part of the overall service and are usually included in the price.

At Kiddly-Winks, we use cosmetic grade paints and follow clear safety and hygiene standards. We also encourage parents to let us know about any allergies or sensitivities before the party so we can plan around them.

At Kiddly-Winks, we design our face painting bookings based on real party situations, not just how fast someone can paint.

We:

• Plan our packages around how many children can be painted comfortably

• Try to avoid long, stressful queues

• Use quality paints and simple, clear design options so kids can choose quickly

• Train our entertainers to handle both the painting and the crowd

Think of us as a mix of artist, kids entertainer and party helper, all at once.

Here are our current face painting packages for birthday parties:

• 1.5 hours, up to 18 children: $265

• 2 hours, up to 24 children: $305

• 2.5 hours, up to 30 children: $345

These numbers are based on full face designs painted at a steady, child friendly pace.

If you have a bigger group, we can swap to quicker designs so more children can be painted in the same time. When you enquire, we can chat through your guest list and help you pick the best option.

Demand for face painters can change depending on where you live and the time of year.

In general:

• Melbourne often has strong weekend demand most of the year

• Brisbane is especially busy in warmer months and school holidays

• Adelaide families often book longer sessions for big family gatherings

The main pricing factors are still the same wherever you are: design time, experience and how the entertainer manages the kids and the activity.

To really understand what you are getting, it can help to ask a few simple questions:

• How many children can you realistically paint in the time I am booking?

• Are the designs quick and simple, or more detailed full faces?

• Will you talk and interact with the kids, or mainly just paint?

• What products do you use on the children’s skin?

• How do you manage the queue or waiting children during the party?

The answers will give you a much clearer picture than price alone and make it easier to choose a service that suits your child and your party.

Face painting prices in Australia vary because the services themselves are different.

Things that affect the cost include:

• The type of designs (speedy vs full face)

• How much time is spent per child

• The experience and training of the entertainer

• The products, safety and hygiene standards

• How the activity is run and how the kids are managed

Once you understand these factors, it is much easier to compare options and pick a face painter who matches your expectations and your budget.

If you are planning a party in Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide and you are not quite sure what you need, we are happy to help.

Whether you:

• Already know your guest list and timing, or

• Are still waiting on RSVPs and just want some guidance

Our friendly team can talk through:

• How many children you are expecting

• How long you should book for

Whether full faces or quicker designs will work best for your group