With The Voice Australia looking towards another possible season, the bill attached to Melanie C, Ronan Keating, Richard Marx and Kate Miller-Heidke has landed under the spotlight. It is not only their salaries putting pressure on the budget. Luxury accommodation, international flights, drivers, meals and additional personnel can turn each deal into a much more expensive package.

A television insider told New Idea that those surrounding costs may need to be cut dramatically if the show returns, potentially by as much as 50 per cent.

“It’s not necessarily about asking everyone to work for half their salary,” the insider said. “It’s looking at everything surrounding that salary and asking: Do we really need to spend this much?”

How Much Could Each International Coach Cost?

The current coaches’ contracts are confidential, but New Idea estimates an international coach could generate an additional $150,000 to $300,000 or more in production-related living and travel costs before their salary is even counted.

Accommodation appears to be the biggest expense. Luxury Sydney properties for international television talent can reportedly cost between $40,000 and $60,000 a month. Former coach Adam Lambert was reportedly housed in a Bondi penthouse costing $54,000 a month during the 2024 season. Over a three-month stay, a property at that price would cost $162,000.

Then there are the smaller expenses that quickly stop looking small. New Idea’s estimates allow $100 to $250 a day for meals and incidentals, adding up to between $9,000 and $22,500 over 90 days. A premium vehicle and professional driver could add another $12,000 to $24,000 over a 12-week production.

Return premium international flights could cost another $10,000 to $30,000-plus, depending on the route and number of trips. If accommodation or travel is also provided for a partner, manager, assistant or stylist, one expensive booking can trigger several more.

The outlet’s itemised scenario puts the additional bill for one international coach at roughly $125,000 to $240,000-plus. Multiply that across Melanie C, Ronan and Richard, and Seven could be spending hundreds of thousands of dollars before paying a cent of their actual appearance fees.

Kate Miller-Heidke Has A Major Home-Ground Advantage

Kate could suddenly be the easiest coach to keep in the budget. As an Australian artist, she does not require repeated long-haul flights, months of international relocation or the same level of accommodation support as three overseas stars.

That does not automatically put any coach out of a job, but it gives Kate a clear financial advantage if every line of the production budget is being examined. A $50,000-a-month property can become a $25,000 one, first class can become business class, and dedicated transport can be restricted to filming days. Across three international coaches, those cuts would add up quickly.

The Next Coaching Panel Is Far From Settled

Applications have already opened for Season 16, but Seven has not announced its next coaching panel or formally detailed its plans for the show’s return.

The coaches know the decision will come down to business. Richard recently said “the numbers will make the decision for everyone” when asked whether Seven still had room for The Voice and Australian Idol, while Melanie said she would love to return.

Those comments now look even more pointed. The next battle for The Voice Australia may not happen between the coaches on screen. It may be fought over penthouses, plane tickets and a spreadsheet deciding who gets to keep a red chair.