Bookkeeping cost Australia 2026: Hourly rates + hidden fees revealed
Base Hourly Rates (2026)
Bookkeeping services in Australia cost between $25–$50/hour, depending on location and experience.
Sydney/Campbelltown rates:
- Junior bookkeeper: $25–$35/hour
- Mid-level: $35–$45/hour
- Senior/specialist: $45–$60/hour
Monthly retainer (typical):
- Small business (1–5 employees): $400–$800/month
- Medium business (6–20 employees): $800–$1,500/month
- Larger business (20+ employees): $1,500–$3,000/month
These prices include basic bookkeeping: invoicing, payments, reconciliation, BAS preparation.
But there are hidden costs.
The Hidden Fees That Double Your Bill
1. BAS Filing ($200–$500 per quarter)
Preparing and lodging a Business Activity Statement takes 3–5 hours. If not included in your retainer, it costs extra.
Four BAS lodgments per year = $800–$2,000 extra.
2. STP Reporting ($50–$150/month)
Single Touch Payroll setup, monthly verification, error corrections. Often charged separately.
Annual cost: $600–$1,800.
3. Superannuation Compliance ($100–$300/month)
Calculating correct super, verifying SG compliance, checking payment deadlines.
From 1 July 2026, Payday Super monitoring is more complex. Costs often increase.
Annual cost: $1,200–$3,600.
4. Award Compliance ($100–$200/quarterly)
Checking award rates quarterly. Ensuring payroll matches current awards.
Especially important for hospitality, retail, NDIS.
Annual cost: $400–$800.
5. Year-End Accounting ($400–$800)
Preparing financial statements, depreciation schedules, profit/loss statements for tax time.
One-time cost: $400–$800.
6. Payroll Processing ($8–$15 per employee/month)
Some bookkeepers charge per-employee for payroll processing.
Five employees = $40–$75/month = $480–$900/year.
The Real Cost: What You Actually Pay
Budget scenario: Small business, 5 employees
| Service | Low End | High End |
|---|---|---|
| Base bookkeeping | $400/month | $800/month |
| BAS filing | $200/q | $500/q |
| STP monitoring | $50/month | $150/month |
| Super compliance | $100/month | $300/month |
| Award compliance | $100/q | $200/q |
| Year-end accounting | $400 (annual) | $800 (annual) |
| Total annual cost | $6,800 | $15,200 |
| Monthly average | $567 | $1,267 |
Most small businesses fall in the $800–$1,000/month range when all services are included.
DIY Bookkeeping: Real Cost vs. Outsourcing
DIY approach:
- Software cost (Xero, Myob): $60–$100/month = $720–$1,200/year
- Your time: 5–10 hours/week = $5,000–$10,000/year (at $20–$25/hour opportunity cost)
- Mistakes risk: Wage underpayment, STP errors, BAS penalties
- Total real cost: $5,720–$11,200 + liability risk
Outsourced approach:
- Professional bookkeeper: $800–$1,000/month = $9,600–$12,000/year
- Your time saved: 5–10 hours/week = $5,000–$10,000/year gained
- Compliance guaranteed: No wage theft risk, STP monitoring, penalty avoidance
- Total real value: $14,600–$22,000 + protected from penalties
Net difference: Outsourcing often SAVES money when you factor in your time.
What Affects Your Cost
1. Business complexity
One employee? Cheaper. Forty employees? More expensive.
2. Industry
Award-heavy industries (hospitality, retail): Higher compliance cost.
3. Payroll frequency
Weekly payroll = more processing = higher cost than fortnightly.
4. Volume of transactions
100 invoices/month? More expensive than 10.
5. Time of year
Tax time (June) costs more. Off-season (November) costs less.
Questions to Ask Your Bookkeeper
Before hiring, ask:
- “What’s included in your base fee?” (Define exactly what services)
- “What costs extra?” (Get a list of add-on fees)
- “How will Payday Super affect my cost?” (From 1 July 2026)
- “Do you monitor award compliance?” (If you’re hospitality, retail, or NDIS)
- “How do you charge?” (Hourly, retainer, per-transaction?)
Get a Clear Quote
In Campbelltown and Greater Sydney, we charge transparent, flat-fee bookkeeping.
No hidden charges. No surprise invoices.
📞 Call: 04 044 71 816
We’ll give you a fixed monthly cost based on your business size, payroll complexity, and needs.
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