Transcription jobs in South Africa: how to qualify
What transcription work looks like for job seekers in South Africa, how employers screen it, and the free test that shows whether you would pass.
The work
Type out audio: interviews, meetings, lectures and medical or legal dictation. Paid per audio minute.
How it is screened: A longer typing passage with punctuation and names, scored hard on accuracy, then a short audio sample.
What is usual in South Africa
- Contact-centre screens usually combine a typing test, an English assessment and a short system task.
- Chat and email accounts commonly ask for 35 to 45 WPM with high accuracy.
- UK-facing accounts keep hours close to local time; US accounts need evening shifts.
- Recruiters who ask for an upfront 'training fee' are not legitimate employers.
Pay is set by the client's country more than yours; the salary calculator shows illustrative ranges in ZAR.
Check where you stand
Paragraph typing
180sTarget: 40 WPM net · backspace allowed · paste off
Start the paragraph typing test
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Then
Typing lessonsFix what the screening catches.
Typing certificateFree with an account; download the PDF.
Listings for this roleMarked with the score they screen for.
Check an offer for scam signsFees, gift-card pay, WhatsApp-only recruiters.
Never pay to apply. Registration, training, kit or verification fees are the most common job scam in South Africa and everywhere else.