Outsourced bookkeeping pricing in Australia ranges from $300 to $5,000+ per month — a spread so wide it's almost useless without context. The right price for your business depends on transaction volume, payroll complexity, reporting requirements and whether you use an onshore or offshore provider. This guide maps the actual price ranges to actual business profiles.
What Determines the Price of Outsourced Bookkeeping?
Bookkeeping pricing is essentially a function of time — specifically, how many hours it takes to process your transactions accurately each month. Providers price based on a combination of the following:
- Transaction volume — the number of bank transactions, invoices and bills that need coding and reconciling each month.
- Payroll complexity — number of employees, pay frequency, award coverage and super remittance requirements. Payday Super from 1 July 2026 adds per-pay-run remittance obligations that increase processing time.
- Reporting requirements — basic P&L vs full management accounts with commentary adds significant time.
- Entity complexity — sole traders are simple; companies with multiple cost centres, trust accounts or project costing structures take longer.
- Software — Xero and MYOB are standard; custom ERP integrations cost more.
- BAS frequency — monthly lodgers require more active management than quarterly lodgers.
Pricing by Business Size: What to Expect
The table below reflects 2026 market rates for fully managed outsourced bookkeeping — including reconciliation, AP/AR processing, monthly reporting and BAS workpaper preparation.
| Business Profile | Onshore Provider | Offshore Provider | Typical Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole trader / micro <100 transactions/mo, no payroll |
$400–$700/mo | $250–$450/mo | Reconciliation, BAS prep, basic P&L |
| Small business 100–300 transactions/mo, 1–5 employees |
$700–$1,400/mo | $450–$800/mo | Full reconciliation, payroll, monthly reports |
| Growing SME 300–600 transactions/mo, 6–20 employees |
$1,400–$2,500/mo | $800–$1,500/mo | Full cycle + management accounts |
| Established business 600+ transactions/mo, 20+ employees |
$2,500–$5,000+/mo | $1,500–$3,000/mo | Full cycle + board reporting + payroll |
Note on Payday Super from 1 July 2026: Businesses with weekly or fortnightly payroll will face up to 26–52 super remittances per year. This increases payroll processing time and should be reflected in your bookkeeping scope. If your current provider hasn't raised this, ask whether their pricing covers it. Payroll outsourcing options →
Monthly Package Tiers — What's Typically Included
Most reputable bookkeeping providers offer tiered fixed-price packages. Here's what to expect at each tier and what to push for in scope negotiations:
Entry Tier ($300–$600/month)
- Bank reconciliation (1–2 accounts)
- Quarterly BAS workpapers
- Basic P&L monthly
- No payroll included
Standard Tier ($600–$1,500/month)
- Full bank and credit card reconciliation
- Accounts payable and receivable processing
- Payroll for up to 10 employees (STP Phase 2 + super)
- Monthly P&L, balance sheet and cash flow
- Quarterly BAS workpapers
Full-Service Tier ($1,500–$3,500/month)
- Everything in Standard plus management accounts with commentary
- Payroll for 10–30+ employees
- Fixed asset register management
- Multi-entity or trust account processing
- Direct liaison with your tax agent
Onshore vs Offshore: The Price Difference Explained
The gap between onshore and offshore bookkeeping pricing reflects labour cost differences — not quality differences, when the offshore provider is structured correctly. An onshore bookkeeper in Sydney or Melbourne charges $75–$120 per hour. A qualified offshore bookkeeper with Australian compliance training charges $25–$45 per hour.
The practical impact: an offshore provider can deliver the same monthly scope for 50–60% less than an equivalent onshore provider. The quality caveat is real — not all offshore bookkeeping providers have the Australian compliance knowledge to handle GST, STP Phase 2 or Payday Super correctly. Verify Australian compliance training and BAS agent registration before engaging.
See city-specific pricing context for Sydney bookkeeping services and Melbourne bookkeeping services.
What's Often Not Included (and Should Be)
Many bookkeeping providers quote a low base price and charge separately for items that should be standard. Before signing, confirm whether the following are included or extra:
- BAS preparation — some providers charge $150–$400 per quarter on top of the monthly fee. Insist this is included.
- Payroll processing — often quoted separately at $10–$20 per employee per pay run. At 15 employees on fortnightly payroll, this adds $3,900–$7,800 per year.
- Software subscription — Xero costs $65–$115 per month depending on the plan. Clarify who pays.
- Catch-up bookkeeping — if your file is behind, there will be a one-off catch-up charge. Get this quoted before starting.
- Year-end workpapers — preparation of EOFY reconciliations and workpaper packs for your tax agent is often charged separately.
Outsourced vs In-House Bookkeeping Costs
The comparison most business owners make is between an outsourced monthly fee and a bookkeeper's annual salary. Here's the full picture for a mid-size Sydney business with 15 staff on fortnightly payroll:
| Cost Component | In-House (Sydney) | Outsourced (Offshore) |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary / service fee | $65,000–$80,000 | $14,400–$18,000 |
| Superannuation (12%) | $7,800–$9,600 | Nil |
| Annual leave (4 weeks) | $5,000–$6,200 | Nil |
| Payroll tax (NSW, if applicable) | $3,500–$4,400 | Nil |
| Workers comp & other oncosts | $1,500–$2,500 | Nil |
| Total annual cost | $82,800–$102,700 | $14,400–$18,000 |
The 60–80% cost gap grows wider once you factor in recruitment costs ($5,000–$15,000 per hire), training time, and the risk of the bookkeeper resigning — typically at the worst possible moment, such as BAS lodgement week or EOFY.
Red Flags in Bookkeeping Pricing
Not all pricing structures are created equal. Watch for these patterns:
- Hourly billing without a monthly cap — a busy month with extra bank transactions or a payroll issue can triple your invoice without warning.
- Per-transaction pricing — creates an incentive to classify transactions as multiple items. Fixed monthly pricing aligned to scope is far more transparent.
- No BAS agent registration — a provider preparing your BAS who is not registered with the Tax Practitioners Board is operating illegally under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009. Always verify registration.
- Setup fees exceeding one month's service — a modest onboarding fee is reasonable; a fee equivalent to 2–3 months' service is not.
- Lock-in contracts longer than 12 months — monthly or quarterly termination provisions are standard with reputable providers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does outsourced bookkeeping cost per month in Australia?
Outsourced bookkeeping in Australia typically costs $400–$600 per month for sole traders and micro businesses, $700–$1,500 for growing SMEs, and $1,500–$3,500+ for larger businesses with complex reporting needs. Offshore delivery models cost 50–60% less than equivalent onshore providers at each tier.
Is outsourced bookkeeping cheaper than hiring a bookkeeper in Australia?
Yes, significantly. A full-time bookkeeper in Sydney or Melbourne costs $60,000–$85,000 per year in salary alone, before super, leave and oncosts. Outsourced bookkeeping at the equivalent scope typically costs $14,000–$22,000 per year — a saving of 60–80%.
What is included in a typical outsourced bookkeeping package?
A standard outsourced bookkeeping package includes bank reconciliation, accounts payable and receivable processing, monthly P&L and balance sheet reports, and BAS workpaper preparation. Payroll processing, fixed asset registers and management reporting are typically available as add-ons or included in mid-tier and above packages.
What should I watch out for in outsourced bookkeeping pricing?
Watch for hourly billing without a cap, per-transaction pricing, setup fees exceeding one month's service fee, and providers who cannot confirm their BAS agent registration. Fixed monthly pricing with a defined scope is the most transparent model.