Multilingual On Hold Messages: Speaking Your Customers’ Language in Australia

Australia is one of the most linguistically diverse countries on earth, yet most business phone lines still speak to callers in just one language. Multilingual on hold messages are a simple way to make every caller feel welcome from the very first ring. At Media Group, we help Australian businesses record phone messages and voiceovers in the languages their customers actually speak.

Why multilingual on hold messages matter in Australia

The numbers from the 2021 Census tell the story. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics:

• More than 5.6 million people used a language other than English at home
• That figure grew by nearly 800,000 since 2016
• Over 850,000 people reported they don’t speak English well or at all
• Mandarin is the most common language other than English, followed by Arabic
• Punjabi had the biggest jump, up more than 80 per cent

If you run a medical centre in western Sydney, a real estate agency in Melbourne’s south-east or a council service in Brisbane, a good share of your callers may be more comfortable in another language. A greeting or menu option in their language tells them straight away that they’re in the right place.

Why a translated script isn’t enough on its own

Running your English script through an online translator might seem like a shortcut, but phone audio is unforgiving. Callers hear every awkward phrase and every mispronounced word. A strong multilingual voiceover needs:

• A professional translation written for the ear, not the page
• A native-speaking voice artist who sounds natural and warm
• Local context, so place names, business names and phone numbers are read the way Australians say them
• Consistent branding, so each language version matches your English recording in tone and music

At Media Group, we pair professional translation services with native-speaking voice talent, so your message sounds like it was written in that language from the start.

Where to use multilingual phone messages

Welcome greetings and IVR menus

The simplest starting point is a short welcome in your callers’ main languages, followed by a menu option such as “For Mandarin, press 2”. It’s a small change that can reduce dropped calls and misrouted enquiries. Our welcome messages and IVR prompts can be recorded in multiple languages as one matching set.

Queue and on hold messages

While callers wait, foreign language on hold messages can share opening hours, appointment reminders or links to translated resources on your website. Our queue messages keep people informed in the language they understand best, which makes the wait feel shorter.

Voiceovers for video, eLearning and advertising

Multilingual audio isn’t just for phones. Training videos, safety inductions, community announcements and radio ads can all be voiced in other languages. Explore our voiceover services to hear the range of voices available.

Why government and community services lead the way

Councils, health services and government departments across Australia have long offered in-language information, because clear communication is essential to accessing services. The ABS notes that Census data helps community groups “provide in-language services at the local level”. Businesses can take the same approach: when you understand who lives in your area, you can tailor your messages to suit.

That’s true right around the country, from Sydney and Melbourne to regional centres. Our city pages, like voice artists in Canberra, show how we work with clients nationwide, remotely from our base on the Gold Coast.

Tips for planning your multilingual recordings

• Check your caller data or local Census figures to choose your top one to three languages
• Keep scripts short, since some languages run longer than English
• Put the language option early in your menu, before callers give up
• Update every language together when your hours or offers change
• Use the same music bed across versions for a consistent brand sound

Frequently asked questions

What languages can you record on hold messages in?

At Media Group, we work with native-speaking voice artists across many languages, including commonly requested Australian community languages like Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, Cantonese and Punjabi. Get in touch with the languages you need and we’ll confirm availability.

Do I need to supply my own translation?

No. We can arrange professional translation of your English script, or record from a translation you already have. Either way, our native-speaking voice artists check that it reads naturally out loud.

How fast can multilingual messages be turned around?

English recordings are often available with same day turnaround. Multilingual projects can take a little longer because of translation and talent availability, so we’ll give you a clear timeframe when you request a quote.

Ready to speak your callers’ language?

Making every caller feel welcome doesn’t have to be complicated. At Media Group, we handle the translation, voice casting, recording and production, ready to load straight onto your phone system. Request a free demo or a quote today, or call us on 1800 086 183 to chat about your multilingual on hold messages.