Updated September 2026· Independently researched·14 min read
Australian bookkeeper fees in 2026: ongoing monthly bookkeeping $250–$1,500, payroll $100–$500, catch-up bookkeeping $500–$3,000 and Xero or MYOB setup $300–$1,500.
Typical Bookkeeper fees by city — What’s The Damage’s September 2026 re-verification across 90+ sources. Fixed monthly packages from about $250 have displaced hourly billing for most small businesses; hourly rates of $45-$120 now apply mainly to catch-up and rescue work. Remote national bookkeepers price in a narrow $55-$75 band regardless of city.
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 answerAustralian bookkeeper fees in 2026: ongoing monthly bookkeeping $250–$1,500, payroll $100–$500, catch-up bookkeeping $500–$3,000 and Xero or MYOB setup $300–$1,500. Get free quotes →
Detailed Pricing — Australia 2026
Tier
Typical fee (ex GST)
Basis
Hourly bookkeeping
$45–$120 per hour
Per hour
Monthly package, micro business
$250–$750 per month
Per month
Monthly package, established small business
$750–$1,500 per month
Per month
Monthly package with payroll and BAS
$1,500–$2,500 per month
Per month
Catch-up or rescue bookkeeping
$500–$3,000
Per one-off
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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.
How to keep the cost sane
1
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.
Our Methodology
Prices on this page are compiled from publicly available cost guides, marketplaces, peak industry body data, and individual provider websites across Australia. We cross-reference ranges from multiple sources and adjust for city-specific cost differences based on advertised rates, salary data, and cost-of-living indicators. Our price guides are produced independently. Pricing is compiled from public quotes, industry rate guides, and marketplace data, and no provider can influence a published figure. All prices are estimates and will vary based on your specific job. Always get multiple quotes. Last reviewed September 2026. Read our full methodology →