A guide to getting your thesis edited in Australia

Editor’s note: This guide was originally published on the popular Thesis Whisperer website under the title “Should I get an editor for my thesis?”. It was reviewed and updated in 2026 by the Expert Editor’s editorial team to meet our latest editorial standards.

Professional thesis or dissertation editing can benefit both native-speaking and English as a second language (ESL) students alike. However, there is some confusion around the efficacy of hiring a professional editor, the editor’s role in improving a thesis and the best way to find an editor.

This guide takes students through the key issues involved in professional thesis editing and assists them in finding the right editing option for their thesis. Although the guide is Australia-specific, its general principles are relevant for students in other countries too.

A student should approach the search for a thesis editor as a consumer

Professional thesis editors are in the business of editing. A student in the market for their services must therefore adopt the mindset of a consumer — informed about the options available, the typical price range, and what makes a provider credible.

The best way to become informed is to research — something every student writing a thesis should be adept at!

Professional thesis editing outlined

Students should use an editor in the final stages of writing their thesis, whether a fellow student, family member or professional. A thesis is such a major undertaking that any student can become blind to spelling and grammar mistakes, ambiguous expression and referencing errors. However, there is a level of misconception among students and faculty about the ethics and permissibility of professional thesis editing.

Universities in Australia permit professional thesis editing as long as the editor stays within their mandate. The peak editing body in Australia, the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd), regulates the editing of research theses and outlines the acceptable level of intervention by an editor. In short, editor intervention is limited to improving language use and expression, and ensuring referencing style and formatting conformity. An editor may draw a student’s attention to structural issues but is not permitted to provide solutions to them.

Universities may also regulate the use of professional editing themselves. For example, some institutions require students to obtain permission before engaging an editor or to acknowledge any assistance within their thesis. We recommend that students consult their supervisor or another member of faculty about their university’s specific rules regarding thesis editing.

How to find a thesis editor

The two main types of thesis editors are:

Professional editing company

Professional editing companies are popular for two reasons. First, quality academic editors tend to gravitate towards editing companies because they provide a regular flow of work without the need for self-promotion. Secondly, editing companies often have multiple academic editors on their team and can usually begin work immediately — an advantage when a submission deadline is tight.

A Google search is the most practical way to find professional editing companies in Australia. It is worth examining each company’s website carefully, as no two are exactly alike in their services or pricing. Later in this guide, we outline the key questions to ask any company.

Freelance editor

There are three ways to find a freelance thesis editor in Australia. The first is through a Google search, as some freelance editors have their own websites. Another option is to approach national and state editing societies, as most maintain a list of accredited editors.

The third is to use an online freelance platform, such as Upwork (formerly Elance-oDesk) or Freelancer.com. Here, you post a brief about the task and freelancers bid for the job. The large number of freelancers, coupled with the competitive bidding, can result in low-ball offers. However, exercise care with these platforms, as the quality of editors varies widely — a student must verify that any editor they consider is appropriately qualified and skilled.

Key considerations for a student when choosing an editor:

Efficacy of the editor

The most important consideration when choosing an editor is ensuring they provide an ethical service and stay within their mandate. Most Australian editing companies and experienced freelance editors comply with IPEd’s guidelines for thesis editing, but there will always be a few outliers.

For example, some may offer to rewrite — or even write — your thesis. A student must avoid any such service, as using one puts them at risk of serious academic-integrity penalties.

Note: Rules around thesis assistance vary by institution, so confirm your university’s specific policy with your supervisor before engaging any editor.

Specifics of the service and the editor

Editors are human and edit subjectively, so it is important to clarify what a thesis editing service involves and what experience the editor brings. Although most professional editors have good intentions, not all editors are equal. A student should therefore be proactive in finding one with the right skill set for their thesis.

The following questions should be answered before engaging any editing service:

• What will the editor do? How do they define “thesis editing”? It is particularly important to establish whether the editor will check referencing style conformity, or whether they intend to provide a thesis proofreading service only.
• Is the editor a specialist academic editor or a generalist with only limited understanding of academic writing?
• Does the editor know the specific referencing style required?
• What is the editor’s professional background?

Affordability

Professional thesis editing always involves some cost — it is a time-consuming process that requires a highly educated editor. That said, services vary in price, so it pays to compare options before committing.

Turnaround time

Turnaround can be a crucial issue for students facing a looming submission deadline. As a rough guide, a typical editor can work through around 10,000–15,000 words per day, depending on the complexity of the text. Some editing companies and freelance editors can accommodate a short turnaround at no extra charge, while others are more rigid in their scheduling and will charge a premium for it.

A closing note

Australia is not short of quality academic editors, but it is up to each student to do their research and engage as an informed consumer. This guide is designed to simplify that search — giving you the information you need to find a thesis editor who is not only ethical, but who can genuinely improve your thesis.