This paper investigates the basic valency orientation and different ways of transitivization in Totoli, a western Austronesian symmetrical-voice language of Indonesia. Totoli can be considered a transitivizing language that makes use of four major valency-increasing strategies: causativization proper, transitive-intransitive alternation within the stative paradigm, alternation between the stative and the dynamic paradigms, and the use of applicative morphology. Taking a closer look at the unique relationship between the symmetrical-voice and applicative systems in Totoli we claim that the language occupies an intermediary position between Philippine-type and non-Philippine-type symmetrical-voice languages, and that the development of applicatives as a system independent from voice may have arisen with the emergence of transitivity as a distinction relevant in the grammar of western Austronesian languages of the non-Philippine-type.