There’s no single answer to “How much will this job cost?”. Pricing for each job depends on the service, the practitioner’s experience and the client’s needs. Practitioners generally set rates that allow them to earn a fair income while delivering a quality service. 

This article describes some of the factors that will influence pricing. By understanding the factors, you can make informed choices and budget realistically. 

The best way to understand costs is to request several quotes so you can compare pricing and what’s included. 

How pricing works 

Translators and interpreters typically work as freelancers, or are employed by language service providers (LSPs). Generally, LSPs have higher overhead business costs, while freelancers manage their own expenses. 

Rates are influenced by: 

• the type of service, including how many translators or interpreters are involved 
• complexity of the subject matter, including level of preparation or research needed 
• the level of NAATI certification 
• training and experience 
• deadlines, after-hours work or urgency fees 
• travel costs for onsite work. 

Types of services and pricing structures 

Different services come with different pricing structures. 

• Translation services are often charged per document, per page or per word, but may also charge per hour depending on the type of assignment. 

• Interpreting services may be charged by the hour, half day or full day. Interpreter rates also factor in preparation time and travel. 

Translation pricing 

• Standard document translations (such as birth certificates or driving licences): Usually charged per page or per document. These can be full translations or extract translations of key sections only. 

• General translations: Usually charged per word, with a minimum fee for small jobs. 

• Specialised work (such as legal, medical or literary): Higher rates due to expertise required. May include additional quality assurance costs. 

• Machine translation editing: Editing machine generated output for accuracy. Translators may charge per word or per hour, depending on the quality of the machine translation. 

Interpreting pricing 

• Interpreting services: Charged hourly, half-day or daily. Rates vary depending on the delivery (consecutive or simultaneous interpreting, in-person or remote). 

• Conference or Auslan interpreting: Often requires two interpreters, especially for longer assignments. 

• Conference interpreting: May require specialised equipment. 

• Minimum booking and cancellation: Interpreters often have a minimum charge (for example, 2-3 hours) even for short jobs. They may charge a fee if a booking is cancelled at short notice. 

What to ask when requesting a quote 

To avoid surprises, always confirm: 

• The total cost (including GST if applicable) 
• How the fee is calculated (per word, per hour, per document) 
• Expected time for completion 
• Whether translation costs include quality checking 
• Whether there are options to reduce costs (for example, adjusting deadlines to avoid urgency fees) 

The clearer and more detailed your request, the more accurate the quote will be.