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!
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
Video Games & Animation
$395 per hour* (per word/line & indie rates available upon request)
*minimum 2 hours, max 4 hour session per day
– Vocally stressful sessions at double rate, max 2 hour session per day
Audio Dramas
$180 per hour (per word/line & indie rates available upon request)
Dubbing & ADR
$185 per hour* (credited roles)
$135 per hour* (background/un-credited)
*minimum 2.5 hour call with live direction
– A premium applies for self-directed sessions in my own studio, see Additional Services below.
Audiobook Narration
$250 PFH – per Finished Hour (on-site with your director & editor)
$350 PFH (raw punch & roll, ~4c/word from my own studio)
$450 PFH (fully produced, ~5c/word)
Student & Non-Commercial Portfolio Projects
I love collaborating with talented creatives and contributing to their body of work. Simple rule is: Let’s make something to get YOU HIRED. However, if you sell it and it makes you money, help me recoup some of my invested time and experience!
E-learning
from $485 (35-50c per word)
Corporate Narration, Explainer & Brand Videos
from $350 (internal use)
from $655 (organic online use)
Commercials & Podcast Ads
$260 per hour per track* + usage fee (broadcast term, platform, territory & product)
*Audio Commercials (Radio/Audio Streaming) may include up to 5 tracks per session.
– For specific usage fees, please refer to the MEAA Voiceover Rate Card
Trailers
Billed as “Commercial” or “Brand Video” depending on usage.
Podcast Intro & Outro
from $300
Message-On-Hold & IVR
from $400 (per entity)
Pick-Ups & Revisions
typically 50% base rate for script revisions per session
Cancellation fee
Within 24 hours of scheduled live session – $250
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
A/V Editing & Post-Production
Editing, proofing, mastering, file splits, etc.
$65 per hour
Mixing, music, sound design, etc.
$125 per hour
Production Support Services
Project management, casting support, copy editing, etc.
$50 per hour
So, how much does it cost to hire a voice actor? The simple answer is: “It depends!” There are many factors that impact rates from one performer to another.
Additionally, keep in mind that concessions may apply for internal use (developmental or scratch recordings) and select projects. Also Hybrid Agreements or Deferred Payment can be arranged for micro-budget projects.
FAQ
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 do you need from me to quote?
Script word count (or runtime), how you’ll use the audio (internal vs public, organic vs paid), platforms, territory, term, and whether the session is live-directed or self-directed. If you have a reference spot and any pronunciation notes, send those too.
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 PLAY!
Get in touch with me via email to chat about your project scope and budget. We can schedule a call to discuss your needs:
