Updated September 2026· Independently researched·14 min read
Sydney bookkeeper fees in 2026: ongoing monthly bookkeeping $280–$1,700, payroll $110–$560, catch-up bookkeeping $560–$3,350 and Xero or MYOB setup $340–$1,700.
What Australian bookkeepers and BAS agents charge in 2026 by the hour and by monthly package, what payroll and catch-up work add, and what a proper quote should itemise.
Quick answerSydney bookkeeper fees in 2026: ongoing monthly bookkeeping $280–$1,700, payroll $110–$560, catch-up bookkeeping $560–$3,350 and Xero or MYOB setup $340–$1,700. Get free Sydney quotes →
Detailed Pricing — Sydney 2026
Tier
Typical fee (ex GST)
Basis
Hourly bookkeeping
$50–$130 per hour
Per hour
Monthly package, micro business
$280–$840 per month
Per month
Monthly package, established small business
$840–$1,700 per month
Per month
Monthly package with payroll and BAS
$1,700–$2,800 per month
Per month
Catch-up or rescue bookkeeping
$560–$3,350
Per one-off
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Prices verified September 2026 · Cross-referenced against 90+ Australian trade pricing sources · See methodology
What moves the fee
Monthly transaction volume and number of bank and card accounts to reconcile
Payroll headcount, award complexity and Single Touch Payroll obligations
BAS frequency and whether lodgement is bundled or an add-on
State of the books: months of backlog are billed as catch-up at the hourly rate
Registered BAS agent versus unregistered bookkeeper; only a BAS agent can lodge for a fee
Bookkeeper, accountant or do it yourself?
Engage a bookkeeper once you have GST registration, staff, or more than a few dozen transactions a month; a clean file also cuts your accountant's year-end fee.
A sole trader with a handful of monthly transactions can keep clean books in software and hand a reconciled file to an accountant at year end.
Verify the BAS agent registration number on the Tax Practitioners Board register
2
Ask for a written quote listing transaction limits, payroll headcount, BAS frequency and what triggers a variation
3
Use receipt-capture apps: manual receipt handling is billed as time
This guide is general information, not advice. Figures are typical ranges compiled from published Australian sources in 2026 and are not a quote; confirm fees with the provider before engaging them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bookkeeper cost per hour?
$45 to $90 an hour for standard work and $80 to $120 for senior or complex work such as payroll compliance and software setup.
How much is bookkeeping per month?
Fixed packages start around $250 a month for a micro business and run $750 to $2,500 for established businesses with payroll and BAS included.
What does payroll cost?
Commonly $5 to $15 per employee per pay run, plus extra for STP lodgement, leave and award interpretation.
What does catch-up bookkeeping cost?
Most providers charge a one-off $500 to $3,000 or more depending on how many months need processing.
Can a bookkeeper lodge my BAS?
Only if they are a registered BAS agent, or working under one. Ask for the registration number.
Is bookkeeping tax deductible?
Bookkeeping fees for a business are generally a deductible business expense.