MY PERSONAL VOICEOVER FEES

Looking to hire voice over services? Voice over rates in Australia can vary depending on what you need, and who you hire to do it. While I can’t speak to for all professional voice actors, this handy-dandy guide will help estimate voice over costs for your project – from my perspective.

To lock in a rate, I’ll need to understand the scope and how the recordings will be used.

So, get in touch to receive a quote!
Be sure to include the script word count or runtime, usage details, delivery specs, turnaround time, and whether you need to book a life-directed session. Notes on direction and references for the tone of the piece go a long way too.
What’s included in a voiceover quote? Check out the FAQ below.

Prices listed are in Australian dollars (AUD), are subject to changes and session minimums (basic session fee). Quotes are provided in your local currency upon request. Feel free to specify that in your inquiry.

So, how much does it cost to hire a voice actor?

VO SERVICES

FAQ

Q: How I quote your voiceover project

Every project is different! Here’s what goes into a quote when you reach out:

Scope

What am I recording? A 30-second commercial is a different job to a 10-hour audiobook. I’ll ask for your script (word count or runtime helps) and what medium it’s for; commercial, game, eLearning, explainer, IVR, dubbing, audiobook, you name it.

Usage

Where will the recording be heard, and for how long? Internal training or case studies are one thing. A paid ad campaign running across broadcast and social for 12 months—or 5 years!—is another. The broader the audience and the longer it runs, the higher the usage component. I use the MEAA Voiceover Rate Card (effective July 2025) as my minimum baseline for Australian broadcast and commercial work. Usage covers: platforms, territories, and term, typically in 3-month blocks.

Sessions

Live-directed or self-directed? Live sessions mean you’re in the room (I come in studio, or remotely, via Source Connect or Zoom) and we nail the tone and sculpt the piece together in real time. Self-directed means I record solo and send files for your review. Session minimums apply, which are typically 2 hours for games and animation, 2.5 hours for dubbing and ADR, and shorter minimums for commercials and IVR.

Revisions and pick-ups

Once the tone is approved, small pick-ups for performance tweaks are relatively straightforward. If the script changes, new lines are quoted as an additional session because that’s new recording time. Script revisions are usually billed at 50% of the base rate, per session.

Turnaround

Short scripts (commercials, explainers, IVR) are often same-day or next business day. Longer projects like audiobooks and eLearning courses take longer; I’ll give you a realistic timeline upfront. Rush delivery is available, but planning ahead saves you a rush fee if I’m booked out!

Editing and mastering

I can deliver raw (unedited), edited (punch and roll, cleaned of clicks moderate breaths—we keep it human here), or fully produced (edited and mastered). Tell me your end use and whether you have an audio engineer on board, so you’re not paying for polish you don’t need. I will say that an audio engineer will go a long way, as I’m not one by any means. If your project needs effects, sound design, or music mixing, book yourself a specialist in that area! I’m happy to recommend some.

What I need from you to quote

Script word count or runtime, how you’ll use the audio (internal vs public, organic vs paid media), platforms, territory, term, and whether the session is live-directed or self-directed. A reference spot and any pronunciation notes help too.

Q: How long does it take to deliver voiceover?

Shorter recordings can typically be delivered on the same work day, or next business day! This also depends on the number of projects in the queue, requirements and scope of each.

Of course, skipping the queue may affect voice over costs during busy periods, so consider planning in advance to avoid additional fees!

On longer-term projects, you’ll receive status updates at a cadence that suits your needs.

Q: What counts as “usage”, and why does it change the price?

Usage is where and how long the recording will be heard. Internal training is very different to a paid ad campaign. The broader the audience and the longer it runs (and the more platforms/territories involved), the higher the usage component tends to be.

Q: Do you do revisions, pick-ups, or extra takes? What’s included?

Happy to. If the script stays the same, small pick-ups for performance tweaks are usually straightforward. If the script changes, new lines are quoted as an additional session, because it is new recording time.

Q: Can we do live direction remotely?

Yes. Remote live direction is available worldwide via Source-Connect, Zoom, or phone patch, depending on what your team prefers. I’ll confirm the setup details when we lock in the session.

Q: What audio format do you deliver?

Typically 24-bit WAV at 48kHz (mono unless you need stereo). If you need a different spec, I can match your delivery requirements. File naming and splits are available if you tell me how you want them organized.

Q: Do you provide editing and mastering? What does “fully produced” mean?

Yes. Depending on what you need, delivery can be raw (no edits), edited (punch & roll for long-form) and cleaned (mouth clicks, bumps, etc.), or fully produced (edited, mastered, plus mixing with music/sound if requested). If you tell me your end-use, or if you already have your own audio engineer on board or not (though I highly recommend engaging one), I’ll recommend the right level so you are not paying for polish you do not need.

Get in touch if you need recommendations for a freelance/contract audio engineer.

Q: For “from $X” (eLearning/corporate), what’s a typical script size?

Those “from” rates assume a smaller, straightforward scope, and typical usage for the sector or medium; e.g. internal for eLearning, or organic online for explainers and brand videos. Once I have your word count, performance style (straight read vs character), usage (internal vs. public viewing), and deliverables (one file vs lots of modules), I can confirm the real number quickly.

Q: Can you match an existing voice or follow a brand style guide?

Absolutely. Send your reference spot, brand notes, and any key pronunciations (names, product terms). If you have a preferred pacing and tone, call that out too. We can also jump on a call or into a remote live-directed session to work together on establishing the perfect tone.

Q: What are the session minimums and limits for vocally stressful work (games/efforts)?

For vocally stressful sessions (efforts, screams, combat), I keep sessions shorter to protect vocal health and consistency, and rates reflect the extra strain. I’ll confirm the safest session length for your script and effort intensity.

For insights into current industry average rates please visit the GVAA Rate Guide or MEAA Voice Over Rates Australia.
I reserve the right to re-issue a quote prior to performing work where the scope of work, usage, or script length has changed. Per line rates are available for indie productions, which are provided in good faith. A surcharge may be applied to the per-line rate for longer passages or monologues.

LET’S CHAT

Nina Nikolic is a Playfully Gritty female Australian actor, voice over artist and gaming creator, recording globally from her professional broadcast-quality studios in Melbourne and Sydney Australia. She is a local hire in both cities.

Catering to a diverse range of productions such as film & tv, video games, animation & cartoons, audiobooks, on hold messaging, dubbing, explainers & corporate narration, broadcast commercials & social media ads, eLearning and more, she performs in her native Australian, and a range of British, American and European accents and dialects.

✉️ nina@ninanikolic.com

Get in touch with me via email, or book a call with me to chat details on your scope and budget for a quote, or see my rates below:
→ Voice Over Rates Australia
→ Content Creator Media Kit

REPRESENTATION