AUDITION FEE: anyone heard of one?

I've worked on 4 WA Opera Company productions (no I can't sing, it's as a lowly supernumero:-))They pay quite decently, even for the supernumeros (actually I think the chorus singers get ripped off big-time given that they only get paid around the same as us, but it is still union-compliant contracts). And they have never ever ever required payment for an audition. Nor have I ever heard of Opera Australia charging for an audition. As far as I know, anyone with a voice can audition to join the chorus so long as they apply at the right time of year. So why on earth waste your time with a company that makes you pay to audition? Frankly if the Youth Opera etc make you pay a fee, that is utterly disgraceful and a sign of shonky management (which may well flow on to artistic quality). If anything they should be paying YOU to give your time auditioning (callbacks for advertisements do just that). You wouldn't pay money to go to a job interview - don't be a sucker and pay to audition. Not when you can audition to better companies, for better gigs, for an equitable amount, ie for free. It's a a bit more forgiveable for an amateur company to do it, but only because the money is going back into more productions and opportunities, but I still think that its a misguided approach and there are plenty of great amateur companies who don't operate in that fashion. However, make sure you look behind the title of 'amateur' to make sure that it IS actually a non-profit incorporated association. There are always a few 'amateur' companies operating that are only amateur for the performers (whilst the producer rakes in a profit) - frankly I'd put them as more likely to charge for auditions than any of the ITA members.