How to become a Chaturbate model

Short answer: becoming a Chaturbate model is free, and you can start once you're 18. You create an account, get your ID approved (usually within one to three days) and can then broadcast. You get US$0.05 for every token you receive, and from US$50 you can have the money paid out, including to a New Zealand bank account. You choose your own hours, and you can block New Zealand if you'd rather stay anonymous at home. Here's the whole process, step by step.

Sign up as a model

Why do models choose Chaturbate?

Chaturbate is one of the biggest cam sites in the world. Because watching is free, rooms fill up quickly, and a good share of viewers buy tokens to tip. As a newcomer you therefore find an audience faster than on sites where viewers pay per minute from the start. On top of that:

• No studio, no middleman: you work independently and stay in control.
• A fixed rate: US$0.05 per token, whatever the viewer paid.
• Everyone is welcome: women, men, trans and non-binary performers, and couples.
• More than tips: private shows, ticket shows, fan clubs, photo and video sales and the affiliate programme.
• New rooms get noticed: new broadcasters are highlighted rather than buried.

Step 1: create your account

The button above takes you to the model sign-up. Choose a username (your stage name, never your real name), a password and an email address, and say whether you broadcast as a woman, man, trans performer or couple. The account exists straight away, but you can only broadcast and receive tokens after verification.

Step 2: verify your age and identity

You upload a photo of your passport, New Zealand driver licence or another government photo ID, plus a selfie holding the document next to your face. A staff member checks it, usually within one to three days. Your real name stays internal and is never shown to viewers. Everyone who appears on camera must be verified, including a partner who only joins once.

Step 3: your gear

• Camera: a laptop's built-in camera is fine to start, but an external HD webcam (1080p) makes a big difference.
• Lighting: a ring light or two softboxes slightly in front of you. Good light matters more than an expensive camera.
• Internet: preferably wired, with at least 5 Mbps upload for a stable HD picture. Most fibre plans in New Zealand handle that easily.
• Your room: a tidy corner with nothing personal in view: no mail, photos or a recognisable view out of the window.
• Extras: outfits and possibly an interactive toy that reacts to tips.

You can broadcast straight from your browser or use OBS for better picture quality and more options.

Step 4: what can you earn?

Viewers pay US$0.08 to US$0.11 per token; you always get US$0.05. Chaturbate's commission has already been taken off, so what you see in Token Stats is what you get. The NZ dollar figures below are estimates at about US$1 ≈ NZ$1.70.

How much that adds up to each month varies a lot. New models who broadcast a few times a week often make a few hundred dollars a month; with fixed hours and a loyal audience it can become a full income. What decides it is your hours, your timing, how you connect with viewers and your tip menu. All token values are explained in Chaturbate tokens: prices in NZD and what they're worth.

The best time to broadcast from New Zealand

Most tipping viewers are in North America and Europe. Because of the time difference, the American evening falls in the New Zealand afternoon, roughly from noon to 6 pm depending on daylight saving. The European evening falls in the New Zealand morning, roughly from 6 am to noon. A Kiwi evening show is quieter, with more Australian and Asian viewers. Many New Zealand models therefore broadcast in the morning or afternoon to catch the big audiences, while an evening show suits models who prefer a smaller crowd of regulars from this side of the world.

Step 5: getting paid

• Minimum: US$50 per payout for most methods.
• Schedule: twice a month (the 1st to the 15th and the 16th to the end of the month), sent within seven days. Once you've had a few regular payouts you can apply for daily payouts on working days.
• Methods: Paxum, Cosmo Payment, ePayService, Skrill, Bitcoin or an international bank wire to your New Zealand bank. Payoneer is no longer supported.
• NZ dollars: Chaturbate pays in US dollars; the conversion happens at your bank or e-wallet when you withdraw.

The full rundown, including fees and timing, is in Getting paid on Chaturbate in New Zealand.

Tax in New Zealand

Your earnings are taxable income. If you broadcast regularly, Inland Revenue normally treats you as self-employed, for example as a sole trader filing an IR3 return. Above NZ$60,000 turnover in twelve months, GST registration also comes into play. Talk to an accountant or check with Inland Revenue if you're unsure, so you don't get a nasty surprise at the end of the tax year.

Step 6: the rules

• Everyone on camera is over 18 and verified. No exceptions.
• No meeting up off the site, no escorting, no drugs on camera, no violence, animals or other banned themes.
• Never share personal contact details.
• Don't promise anything you won't do.
• Copyrighted music can earn you a warning.

Breaking the rules gets you banned. Read Chaturbate's own terms and code of conduct before your first show.

Step 7: stay anonymous

In your settings you can block countries and regions. Many New Zealand models block New Zealand, so neighbours, colleagues or family never come across their room. In a country this small, that's worth doing. Also use a stage name, keep tattoos, views and mail out of shot, and don't link your model account to your personal social media. More on safety in Is Chaturbate safe and legal in New Zealand?

Step 8: your first show

• Fill in your profile: a short bio, what you do and don't do, and a tip menu with five to ten actions.
• Set a goal with a clear reward; it gets viewers tipping together.
• Use viewers' names and thank them for every tip. People who feel noticed stay.
• Start with sessions of one to two hours at fixed times, so viewers can find you again.

Frequently asked questions

Does it cost anything to become a model?

No. Signing up and broadcasting are free; Chaturbate only earns its commission on tokens.

How quickly can I start?

Signing up takes about fifteen minutes; verification usually one to three days.

Can we broadcast as a couple?

Yes, as long as you're both verified.

Is camming legal in New Zealand?

Yes, for adults it's legal to perform on a cam site. You do have to declare the income to Inland Revenue.

Sign up as a model