A bookkeeper in Australia typically charges between $80 and $160 per hour, covering tasks like reconciliations, payroll entries, and basic compliance. Bookkeeping costs in Australia vary widely which often leads to a broader discussion. Costs depend on your business size, the level of support you need, and whether you hire in-house, engage a freelancer or outsource. This guide explains the key drivers behind bookkeeping costs and compares the main options available: in-house hires, freelancers, outsourced services, and integrated offshore professionals.
Table of Contents
- What Affects Bookkeeping Costs?
- In-House Bookkeeper Cost and Considerations
- Freelance or Part-Time Bookkeeper Cost and Considerations
- Outsourced Bookkeeping Service Cost and Considerations
- Integrated Offshore Accountants Cost and Considerations
- Bookkeeper Cost in Australia: Final Thoughts
- Cost of Bookkeeping Services FAQs
What Affects Bookkeeping Costs?
Bookkeeping rates in Australia are affected by factors such as business size, the scope of work, experience level required and complexities, location, and how billing is structured. The cost of bookkeeping services can vary widely depending on what your business needs and how often those services are required.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors below.
1. Business Size and Transaction Volume
2. Scope of Work
3. Experience and Qualifications
4. Location and Availability
5. Billing Method
1. Business Size and Transaction Volume
The number of transactions your business processes has a direct impact on bookkeeping time required. A small consultancy with a few invoices each month costs less than a retailer with daily sales, complex reconciliations and multiple accounts and payment platforms. More transactions often mean more reconciliations, data entry, and follow-ups. That added volume can lead to higher fees, even if the business itself is still relatively lean. If your setup includes things like inventory systems, multiple bank accounts, various payment methods across different entities, it adds to the workload. Bookkeepers typically assess effort, not just business type, when estimating cost.
2. Scope of Work
Not every business requires the same scope of bookkeeping. Costs increase as tasks expand beyond reconciliations to include payroll, BAS preparation, and reporting. Define your scope early for accurate pricing.
3. Experience and Qualifications
The bookkeeper hourly rate in Australia often reflects how experienced or qualified the bookkeeper is. Experienced bookkeepers or BAS agents charge more, but their expertise can prevent costly errors. Junior bookkeepers suit simpler requirements; complex compliance requires seasoned professionals.
4. Location and Availability
Rates in major cities like Sydney or Brisbane are often higher than regional areas. Remote work has reduced this gap, but premium availability still attracts higher fees and whether you require someone onsite or remote.
5. Billing Method
How you’re charged can influence the total cost. Hourly billing offers flexibility but can spike during busy periods like EOFY. Fixed monthly packages provide predictability for businesses that want stable costs and make the cashflow impact of the costs much easier.
In-House Bookkeeper Cost and Considerations
Hiring a full-time, in-house bookkeeper is often seen as a natural next step for businesses experiencing growth. While it can provide consistency and direct oversight, the decision comes with a few key considerations beyond just salary.
An in-house bookkeeper works as a direct employee, usually reporting to a business owner, finance manager, or accountant. They manage daily financial tasks internally, which can create strong alignment with your workflows and reporting cadence.
Bookkeeper salaries in Australia generally range between $65,000 and $85,000 per year. Once you factor in superannuation, leave, overheads, and admin time, the total cost is often far higher than just base pay.
Many businesses appreciate the stability an in-house hire can bring, but that stability comes with commitment. For companies comparing an in-house bookkeeper vs. outsourcing cost, the numbers can shift significantly depending on how much support is truly needed.
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Freelance or Part-Time Bookkeeper Cost and Considerations
For businesses that don’t require someone full-time, working with a freelance or part-time bookkeeper can offer flexibility to suit the business needs.
Freelancers charge $80-$160 per hour and suit businesses with variable needs. They offer flexibility without long-term commitments but may have limited availability during peak periods.
Hiring a part-time bookkeeper is one of the more affordable bookkeeping options for Australian businesses, particularly if you only require help for a few hours per week. Just keep in mind that availability can vary and priorities across clients can compete but not having a dedicated support.
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Outsourced Bookkeeping Service Cost and Considerations
Outsourced bookkeeping services are often designed as fixed-fee packages that cover an agreed set of tasks each month. This model appeals to business owners who want predictable costs and a clear understanding of what’s included.
These services are typically offered by bookkeeping firms or cloud-based providers. They may include reconciliations, payroll, accounts payable, BAS lodgement, and monthly reporting, depending on the package level.
Costs range from $700 to $2,000 per month, depending on transaction volume and scope.
If you’re trying to understand typical bookkeeper cost in Australia, these fixed monthly services give a clearer sense of what to expect month to month. Just be sure to check what’s included, as not all packages cover the same level of support or reporting deliverables.
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Integrated Offshore Accountants Cost and Considerations
Integrated offshore accountants provide full-time support at a lower cost than local hires. They work within your systems and under your direction, offering consistency and compliance alignment.
An integrated offshore accountant isn’t the same as traditional outsourcing, where you simply hand over tasks to a third party. Instead, you’re extending your team with full-time support that’s tailored to your business and trained in your processes.
S&B Private specialises in this model, supplying accounting professionals trained in Australian standards. Many businesses find this option significantly more cost-effective than hiring in-house, without compromising quality. This setup works especially well for businesses that require consistency, accuracy, and access to talent that’s hard to find locally. The right company provides straightforward onboarding and ongoing support, which includes training and compliance alignment.
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Bookkeeper Cost in Australia: Final Thoughts
The cost of bookkeeping services in Australia can vary widely ranging from $60-$160 per hour or $700-$2,000 per month for packaged services. Your choice depends on business size, complexity, and preferred structure.
Ready to reduce your bookkeeping costs and access dedicated Australian-trained professionals?
Talk to S&B Private today to explore affordable offshore accounting support built for your business.
Cost of Bookkeeping Services FAQs
1. How much should | budget for a bookkeeper in Australia?
Budget $700-$2,000 per month, depending on transaction volume and payroll needs. At this level, support is usually part-time or casual rather than dedicated support and more likely part time or casual hours.
2. Is hiring a bookkeeper worth the cost for a small business in Australia?
Yes, hiring a bookkeeper is worth the cost for most small businesses in Australia. You can save time while staying compliant when you have access to accurate financial records.
3. Is it cheaper to hire a bookkeeper or do it myself?
Hiring a bookkeeper is more cost-effective long-term. DIY bookkeeping often leads to errors that cost time and money as well as taking you away from focusing on your core business.
4. Are bookkeeping fees tax-deductible in Australia?
Yes. Bookkeeping fees are a legitimate business expense and can be claimed in your tax return.