As a transcriptionist member:

• You will have access to clients and transcription companies looking to hire transcriptionists previously unavailable to you, with new clients joining continuously
• You can see at a glance which clients are hiring typists with your skillsets
• Direct client contact; clients can view your listing and can contact you directly
• Showcase yourself on the most comprehensive and largest transcription directory in Australia 
• Exclusive and immediate notification of client requests and current vacancies
• The latest news, blogs, handy tips and information from our bloggers, news writers, guest writers and industry experts
• The opportunity for you to submit blogs and news articles on this website
• Discounts on offer from advertisers of transcription-related resources, to events, conferences and opportunities for other memberships
• Automatic entry into some competitions and invitations into others
• Access to The Transcription Directory Facebook group and LinkedIn group
• Have your questions answered by industry professionals
• Advertising and promotion; The Transcription Directory is promoted using online platforms, search engines, business directories, interviews, podcasts, blogs and news articles and through activities of individual members.  The more exposure, the more members, the more work becomes available, more collaboration, more knowledge, everyone wins!

As a client member:

• Access to transcribers of varying skillsets and qualities not previously available to you, with new transcribers joining continuously
• You can see at a glance which transcribers have the experience, qualifications or skillsets you are seeking
• Direct member contact; you can view transcriber listings and contact members directly
• Showcase yourself on the most comprehensive and largest transcription directory in Australia 
• The latest news, blogs, handy tips and information from our bloggers, news writers, guest writers and industry experts
• The opportunity for you to submit blogs and news articles on this website
• Discounts on offer from advertisers of transcription-related resources and to events, conferences
• Have your questions answered by industry professionals
• Advertising and promotion; The Transcription Directory is promoted using online platforms, search engines, business directories, interviews, podcasts, blogs and news articles and through activities of individual members.  The more exposure, the more members, the more work becomes available, more collaboration, more knowledge, everyone wins!

As an advertiser:

• Be visible to hundreds of transcribers and clients, members and non-members, seeking dictation and transcription-related equipment
• Showcase yourself on the most comprehensive and largest transcription directory in Australia 
• The latest news, blogs, handy tips and information from our bloggers, news writers, guest writers and industry experts
• The opportunity for you to submit blogs and news articles on this website
• Advertising and promotion; The Transcription Directory is promoted using online platforms, search engines, business directories, interviews, podcasts, blogs and news articles and through activities of individual members.  The more exposure, the more members, the more exposure, more knowledge, more collaboration, everyone wins! 

It is expected that a member would have, or be readily willing and able to acquire, the required software and hardware to provide a timely and competent service and be proficient in the use of such hardware and software.

Beginners are welcome, so experience is not always necessary, but the ability to attain the skills is necessary.  We have clients who are willing to train beginners.

Memberships relate to the individual only and not groups of people.  Non-members are not eligible for vacancies and members do not have permission to provide any member-only information to non-members.

At all times, members and users of this website will behave professionally and provide a service with integrity and confidentiality.  Any member found to be breaching the confidentiality of another member or user of this website, or behaving in a negligent, belligerent or other manner which may cause a negative effect on another member or a client, or the confidentiality of a client, will be removed as a member with no refund given. 

You will require the basic hardware and software: a computer or laptop, a good quality headset and some software to play the audio and video.  Some transcriptionists have worked for a long time using only hotkeys, but a foot pedal is highly recommended.

All experienced transcribers were beginners at one stage.  There are clients who are willing to take on beginners without any experience, or limited experience.  Because you have a high typing speed doesn’t mean you’re cut out to be a transcriptionist.  You need a reasonable grasp of the English language including punctuation, spelling and grammar to get started.  A good knowledge of sentence structure can also be helpful.

YOU MUST BE COACHABLE and be willing to receive feedback and act on it.  Even if you have been transcribing for 30 years, a client’s specifications override all and any of your beliefs.  We are working towards a favourable outcome for both transcribers and clients.

We are open to Australian residents only and proof of identification will be required in order to become a member, unless the Australian resident is living overseas running an Australian business while complying with Australian business and tax requirements and legislation.  We are working towards having our services being available to members worldwide but right now, we are only set up to cater for Australian business operators.

No.  The Transcription Directory does not employ or contract transcribers.  We don’t provide you with the transcription work.  You apply directly with the clients providing the vacant opportunities, or clients will contact you.

We do provide referrals from clients, give clients your details if they are looking for somebody with your skillset, provide exposure to your business, give you access to resources, advice and information from those who have been in the transcription industry for many years, and can help you develop your business.  

We cannot guarantee how much work you will be able to secure with any client.  It will depend on timing and when clients are seeking transcriptionists with particular skills. 

Whilst we do have a number of members, they will not have the same skills, experience or available hours as others.   For some, transcribing may be a full time gig while for others it may be a side hustle.  Someone who is highly skilled may not have the time available for one client or expect a higher rate of pay due to skill level.  

Your membership increases your exposure to prospective clients.  Your listing is visible to clients and we do receive direct client requests.  Many members promote themselves and The Transcription Directory using other sources, so you too will benefit from this. 

The Transcription Directory will become involved in disputes only in certain circumstances, and this involvement may not necessarily be a resolution to the problem.  Cases where we become involved may include:

• If we advertise a rate of pay or a specification on our website on behalf of the client, and the client retracts this afterwards, creating an adverse and negative effect to the typist
• If one party treats another with disrespect or in a non-professional manner
• Behaviour which contravenes any Australian law, including but not limited to racism, discrimination, bullying or harassment, price fixing  (as examples).

We are limited to interventions such as:   

• Placing a review on the member’s listing to reflect behaviour, but only after evidence of such is provided;
• The member being removed as a member and no longer able to interact with any other members on this website.

You can approach transcription companies and clients listed on the Client Directory using the contact details given, only if a current vacancy is displayed on the listing.  If you are reported to be approaching clients while there is no vacancy, there may be negative consequences which may affect future possibilities.

Some clients may always show they have a vacancy and many larger companies will have an online application and test for you to complete.  Others may require you to apply and submit information using an email address or other contact method. 

You may not receive a reply, whether a vacancy is available or not.  Our clients may receive hundreds of applications, but may only be seeking one or two transcriptionists.  This is standard practice for many clients.

Australian anti-spamming legislation applies regarding use of email addresses and contact details.  If a member is found to be using any contact details incorrectly or for the wrong purposes, they can be removed as a member with no refund of any portion of membership fees.

Not just yet.  There was an urgency to cater for new transcriptionists trying to get a foot in the industry door and so many clients being unable to find transcribers.  We are furiously working behind the scenes to have tests designed for medical, legal and other specific fields, including languages other than English. 

Clients and transcription companies listed in our directory still have positions available for medical and legal fields and may be currently sourcing transcribers with these skills.  You will have the option to list your medical or legal skills on your listing, but it will be known that you have not been tested on these skills by The Transcription Directory.

Yes.  You will need an ABN.  There are cases where transcription clients hire employees and those employees work under an Award and are treated as an employee, but this is not what this website is for.  You will not be eligible to be a member of The Transcription Directory without a current ABN.  If you do not have an ABN, you can apply at the Australian Business Register. 

We cannot advise on GST registration requirements.  For more information, please visit the Australian Taxation Office.

I created the test myself as I wasn’t happy with what was out there.  There is a correct/incorrect section to choose whether or not 10 questions are correct or incorrect.  I use a commonly confused word in each sentence.   Then there is a paragraph of text including a number of  commonly-confused words which are incorrect, and the member is required to list the words which are incorrect and then list the correct words.  Then I have 10 audio pieces for the member to transcribe.  These are some conversations I’ve recorded myself, along with some audio from Kerwin Rae’s podcasts, with permission, and some voice messages I’ve been sent.  These tests are to determine whether or not the member is a beginner, intermediate or advanced, which is assessed along with other information provided by the member, and also in consultation with the member.  Feedback received regarding the test is that it is representative of the type of work a transcriptionist would do, or what they would expect in a test.  There are no tricks and at this stage, it’s not timed.

One of the reasons we started this website was to level the playing field and set some standards for the transcription industry.  Many transcribers do not know where their skills and experience fit in with the rest of the transcription population.  Some may have been working for only one or two clients for quite some time and may have happy clients, but unaware they may not suit the requirements and standards of the broader industry.  So simply put, some transcribers feel they may be advanced in their skills and qualifications, but others may disagree.

Each transcriber member on this website has undertaken exactly the same standard of testing.  The answers provided on this test are measured against the same answer sheet.  Your result is completely objective and is not based on the opinion of a person, and all tests are validated by a second person.  But this is not the only factor which determines your rating.  

Example 1: You may achieve 100% on the component that tests your understanding of the English language, but only 50% on the audio transcription component, and you may only have three months’ experience in transcription.  This would result in a rating of Beginner Plus, meaning you are new to the industry, so you would be very appealing to clients who are looking for entry-level transcribers who are open to being mentored.

Example 2: You may have been a medical transcriptionist for 20 years and wanting to change into general transcription.  You achieve only 50% on the English language component, 75% on the audio transcription component, but completed the test in a very short amount of time.  You would receive a rating of Beginner Plus to Intermediate as you are adept in the practical side of transcription, but may need further training to develop general transcription skills to the satisfaction of clients.  To determine the final rating, other factors of your application including previous experience and exposure in the industry are taken into consideration, plus a personal conversation with you.  This part can be considered both objective and subjective.

Ratings can be changed on appeal.   There are cases where we may have misunderstood information or made a decision based on incomplete information, or you may be able to provide further information which may affect your rating.  You may receive your rating, complete a course or secure some work for a client and then retake the test, resulting in an improved rating.  We at The Transcription Directory welcome such situations.  Please contact us if you receive a rating which does not please you.

To remain successful in the industry and to maintain or continually improve your rating, you will need to acquire or already possess integrity and trustworthiness, excellent time management skills, reliability and other soft skills that a professional person would expect to have. 

Your rating can be affected by, as examples:

• Clients reporting skills not matching those advertised on your listing
• Providing non-truthful or fraudulent information
• Clients reporting deadlines not being met or a low standard of work quality
• Poor or lack of communication 

Ratings and reviews will be approved and published only by the administration team of The Transcription Directory, and will be TRUTHFUL at all times, and based on fact – not opinion – and definitely not emotion.  No unfounded claims can be published.  It may be decided not to publish a review, but an action may affect a rating under a particularly category with no reason published.  This is a professional website for members behaving in a professional manner.

TranscribeRight is a comprehensive course written by experienced, Australian-based transcribers and business owners Claire Hone and Sonya Rawlings.   You can access this course here at TranscribeRight.  

This course is very comprehensive and covers many aspects, including the industry as a whole, how to get work, bookkeeping, marketing and all sorts of other helpful information.

Please note that while we recommend this course as a valuable resource for gaining and improving transcription skills, completion of the course does not provide an automatic status of beginner, intermediate or advanced in The Transcription Directory. As with any course, completion does not equate to competence, and The Transcription Directory requires all members to complete its competency test upon registration for inclusion in listings.

The Transcription Directory does not dictate or have any control over how much a client pays for transcribers or how much transcribers charge clients.  For most general transcription, rates are paid at audio or video minute.  Medical, legal and other specialties pay per page, per hour or per job.

There are some larger Australian client companies with rates starting at $1.30 per audio minute.  These rates may suit beginners.

There is another Australian company that has starting rates set at $2.02 per audio minute for shorter-turnaround work.  This work generally is not suitable for beginners.

In some cases, these rates are negotiable and some are not.  

Please feel free to contact us if you are concerned about the rate a client is offering.

The client will only receive the absolute and necessary details needed to make a decision as to whether or not you are suitable, and to actually make contact with you.   For example, we would never provide an address to any other person, considering most transcription work is performed remotely.  A client does not need to know where you live.  Your personal information will always be kept confidential and other members will only receive information to which you have agreed.