"How much does a DJ cost?" is the first question most people ask, and most DJ websites won't answer it. Here are our actual rates for private and corporate events in Brisbane, plus what changes the price.
Our event DJ rate
Nocturnals event DJs are $150 per hour, ex GST, with a 3-hour minimum. Here's what that looks like for common booking lengths:
| Booking | Ex GST | Inc GST | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 hours | $450 | $495 | Drinks functions, launches |
| 4 hours | $600 | $660 | Most office and Christmas parties |
| 5 hours | $750 | $825 | Birthdays, engagement parties |
| 6 hours | $900 | $990 | Long lunches into the night |
Equipment
If your venue already has a DJ booth, your DJ uses it and there's no equipment charge. If not, a full setup (decks and speakers) is $175 per event, ex GST. Most bars, restaurants and function venues in inner-city Brisbane have a booth, so ask the venue before you assume you need gear.
Live saxophone
Live sax alongside a DJ works well for cocktail hours, wedding receptions and brand launches. It's priced on request, depending on how many sets you want.
What changes the price
- Set length. The biggest factor. Book the hours you want music, not just dancing.
- Equipment. $175 if the venue has no booth.
- Add-ons. Live sax or instrumentalists.
- Date. Prices don't change for December, but Fridays and Saturdays fill early, so book ahead.
The cheapest DJ is the one who turns up, follows the brief and doesn't need managing on the night.
Why some DJs are cheaper
You'll find DJs advertising for less. Before you compare, check what's included: Has the DJ been vetted? Who covers them if they cancel? Will they contact you beforehand for a music brief? Does the quote include GST? A cheaper booking that falls over in December costs far more than the difference.
What about weddings?
Weddings aren't priced on this hourly rate. Ceremony music, a reception that runs from dinner to the last song, live sax and the venue's set-up all vary from wedding to wedding, so every wedding gets a bespoke quote. See wedding DJs.
What about bars and restaurants?
Weekly DJ residencies for venues are priced differently to one-off events, because they're regular, rostered work. See venue DJ management for how that works. For the hours between DJ nights, playlist curation starts from $35 per playlist per week, with a two-week free trial.
Want an exact quote?
Send your date, venue and set times, and we'll come back within 24 hours.
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