Interpreter Rates of Pay

ASLIA National is not able to set a standard rate of pay but instead can only make recommendations in regards to negotiating a fair rate of pay.

Rates of pay vary throughout the country and are often subject to the variation in supply and demand of Auslan interpreters. In some areas there is a chronic shortage of accredited Auslan interpreters. 

Many agencies have a standard minimum rate that they charge for the supply of interpreters. Freelance interpreters will have their own rates of pay largely dependant on a number of factors. The amount an interpreter can earn depends on their level of accreditaion, qualifications, experience, how often and how long they work and the organisation/s for whom the interpreter works. The actual rate may need to be negotiated between the parties involved.

ASLIA  does not promote a particular pay rate or scale but, as a guide, interpreters are generally paid in the range $30 - $60 per hour (increasing for after-hours work), with most agencies and interpreters charging a minimum two-hour fee.

ASLIA does not recommend the use of interpreters who are unaccredited.

Negotiating a Rate of Pay

When negotiating rates of pay, it is important to remmeber that many Auslan Interpreters work on a freelance basis. Interpreters are often required to hold an ABN and many operate as a Sole Trader for taxation purposes. Therefore it is imperative to keep these factors in mind when negotiating a fair rate of pay:

• professional interpreting accreditation

• educational background & qualifications including post-graduate studies 

• completion of an interpreter training program 

• years of experience 

• special expertise in the topic area of a given interpreting assignment 

• unique needs or demands of the particular interpreting assignment

• local fair market value of work

• occupational health and safety issues

• professional indemnity, liability, workcover, superannuation, other insurances and taxes

Types of Rates:

Minimum Rate: "Minimum Rate" is the minimum charge that applies to all requests for interpreting services that are less than two hours' duration; the Minimum Rate applies whether the interpreter is needed for fifteen minutes or two hours or any amount of time in between. The minimum rate includes additional costs to the interpreter or agency including travel, workers compensation, professional indemnity, taxation, superannuation and administrative costs.

Hourly Rate Range: "Hourly Rate" is the rate charged per hour for any time after the first two hours. Hours in excess of the base rate of two hours are sometimes billed by the half hour and sometimes by the hour. 

After-hours Rate: "After-Hours Rate" refers to any emergency, short-notice or night-time/weekend call out assignment. i.e. hours beyond the normal workday. Examples include interpreting in legal situations or other high risk situations. 

Special Rate: "Special Rate": refers to any situation that calls for specialized skills or extended preparation needs  i.e., situations requiring specialized skills tactile interpreting for deafblind persons, interpreting for deaf clients with limited language skills, interpreting at conferences where preparation is involved, public performances or in legal settings. Examples include interpreting in legal situations or other high risk situations, theatre performances where scripts and songs need to be practiced beforehand, and international or national conferences where presenter's papers need to be read and analysed beforehand. 

Other considerations: 
Policies regarding issues such as cancellation fees and charges in the event of a consumer "no-show" are negotiable and should be discussed at the time interpreting services are arranged.
Depending on the practices of individual interpreter referral agencies, the cost of the interpreting service might be negotiated directly with the referral service or they may be negotiated with individual interpreters.

Additional Costs:
Base rates and/or hourly rates may be higher for other types of assignments such as medical, mental health, and law enforcement emergencies. Charges for this type of interpreting may be billed at a rate one and one-half times the standard rate; rates should be negotiated with the individual interpreter or the interpreter referral service.