What do professional writers charge in Australia?

07.08.22 Written by Mandy Chandler |

Professional writers’ rates vary depending on the level of experience of the writer and complexity of the task. Professional writers based in Australia may cost a little more than some of their overseas counterparts, but there are very good reasons for that. 

For starters, we have a powerful grasp of Australian English, a unique understanding of the Australian marketplace, and the ability to write specifically for Australian audiences. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at the average rates charged by professional copywriters and content creators across Australia and give you an insight into the factors affecting copywriting rates. 

Wondering what I charge? 

In case you’ve come to this article to find out what I charge, I’d like to say a quick word about the way I charge for my professional copywriting, content creation and ghostwriting services here, before going any further with the discussion of the average rates charged by Australian writers.

As a highly skilled professional writer with almost 20 years of experience, I ensure that all my clients receive the very best in persuasive copy and engaging, informative, and entertaining content. I am also committed to delivering the best possible value for money by providing this copy and/or content at affordable prices.

 As of 1 July 2022, my rates start at $75 per hour and may vary depending on a number of factors. Please see the section entitled, Factors affecting the cost of copywriting and content creation.

Get copywriting & content creation to suit your budget

If you are at all concerned about rates, please do reach out to me today to discuss your needs. Together we’ll tailor a copy or content solution that suits your budget. 

In the meantime, what follows outlines where the industry stands when it comes to copywriting and content creation rates. 

Average hourly rates for copywriting & content creation

According to copywriting guru, Kate Toon’s Guidelines for Australian Copywriters, there are three levels of copywriting experience which equate to three levels of pay rates.

Based on a recent (June 2022) poll of Kate’s copywriting community, these average pay rates are:

  • AUD70 to AUD100 per hour for a junior (0–2 years’ experience) copywriter/content creator 
  • AUD100 to AUD150 per hour for a mid-level (2–4 years’ experience) copywriter/content creator 
  • AUD150 to AUD190 per hour for a senior (4+ years’ experience) copywriter/content creator.

Copywriters and content creators employed by agencies are typically charged out at $150+ per hour. 

How long does copywriting & content creation take?

The number of hours per job will depend on the nature and complexity of the job. 

When envisioning how long a job takes, it’s important to bear in mind that the time writers need to allocate to a job must include all the time spent on the job and not only time spent writing. 

Of course, every copywriter is different and, when it comes down to it, every job is different. However, based on my experience, here is a rough estimate of the time it takes me to write a five-page website:

  • 1 hour: Working through the brief & familiarising myself with the requirements of the job
  • 2 hours: Research & competitor review 
  • 2 hours per page: Copywriting for a typical web page (not including blog posts, long form or SEO content)
  • 2 hours: Proofreading 
  • 2 hours per round: Revisions (depending on how extensive they are)
  • 1 hour: Admin 

Total project hours: 18 hours 

Factors affecting the cost of copywriting and content creation

Some of the factors that influence how long the job will take, and hence the costs of content creation and copywriting, include:

  • Is it a small job such as a social media post or SMS? 
  • Is it a bigger job such as a white paper, blog post, website content or the contents of an entire book? 
  • Is it a one-off job or does it involve regular updates? Will these be daily, weekly or monthly?
  • How clear is the brief that has been provided?
  • Does it require extensive research on the part of the copywriter or is all the information provided? 
  • What is the level of experience of the copywriter?
  • Is it a rush job? Many professional writers charge extra (up to 25%) for rush jobs.

Daily rates

For bigger jobs, some copywriters/content creators prefer to charge daily rates rather than hourly rates. According to Kate Toon, the average daily rates are as follows:

  • AUD450 to AUD630 for a junior writer 
  • AUD700 to AUD900 for a mid-level writer
  • AUD900 to AUD1500 for a senior writer.

Quotes & revisions

When hiring a professional writer you should be provided with a quote prior to commencement of the work. This quote typically includes two rounds of revisions. This may differ from writer to writer, so it pays to ask about their revisions policy upfront if you’re at all unsure.

Deposits

Most professional writers will request a deposit of between 10% and 50% upfront with the balance payable on within two weeks after delivery of the first draft. For jobs exceeding $1000, payment may be split across the timeline of the job as certain milestones are met.

As a freelance writer, I am able to work within your budget

As a freelance copywriter and content creator, I am able to set my own rates, which means I can take cognisance of your budget and work accordingly. This could include scaling down my services to suit your budget, negotiating special rates for regular work, or breaking payments into more manageable chunks.

Don’t let worries over costs stand in the way of getting good copy. Talk to me today about how I can deliver great copy that offers exceptional value for money.

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