Tennis Australia has decided not to pay the ball boys and girls at this year's Australian Open.

The children used to be paid $40. Instead, they will be given gifts from sponsors of the event.

Camberwell mother Pauline Steedman is angry about the decision.

She the conditions of employment have changed after her 14-year-old son signed up.

"But you can't move the goalposts to these kids who have applied and signed up and already undertaken training and then change the employment status two months before the event," she said.

She is urging Tennis Australia to change the decision.

"They give up their holidays. They're up there in sometimes 30 to 40 degree heat, at the end of January and my son is happy to do that, but $40 is not a lot to be paid," she said.