In Australia, hiring a bookkeeper can be a huge investment for your business. Therefore, it is pivotal to understand the cost of bookkeeping services in order to make an informed decision. No matter if you are running a small business or managing a large company, information about bookkeeping rates and bookkeeping fees will help you in budget planning.
The cost of hiring a bookkeeper in 2026 depends on many factors, such as, experience, size of the business and whether the bookkeeper works part-time or full-time. Generally, Australian businesses have to pay different bookkeeper rates on an hourly or monthly basis.
In this guide, we will explore the following topics
- what are the typical bookkeeping fees,
- what are the average cost of hiring bookkeeper service
- what factors affect bookkeeping pricing packages.
Whether you’re curious about bookkeeper hourly rates or the cost for bookkeeping services for small businesses, this guide gives you all the key info to help you choose wisely.
Factors Determining the Cost of Hiring a Bookkeeper in Australia
There are some factors that determine the cost of getting a bookkeeper in Australia. Some of these factors influence the price you’ll pay for bookkeeping charges per hour and monthly charges:
1. Experience and Skills
Professional bookkeepers with higher experience or qualifications will charge higher prices. However, experienced people offer better service due to their skills in handling difficult tasks.
2. Size and Complexity of Your Business
A large business or a business that has several requirements will incur high bookkeeping charges compared to a smaller firm that only has simple financial needs.
For instance, the businesses which want to make the processing of accounts payable more efficient will have to pay more for bookkeeping since the work involves advanced procedures.
3. Type of Services Required
Basic bookkeeping is cheap. The other type of services like payroll processing, data entry, accounts payable and receivable, bank reconciliation, and inventory are costly. You need to know the type of services you want before setting the prices.
4. Frequency of Bookkeeping
The frequency at which your books need attention will affect cost. Reconciliation done weekly is more expensive than doing it monthly. Companies that have high transactions such as hotels and restaurants need their books to be looked after more often.
5. Catch-Up or Backlog Work
If your books are lagging and not well-organised, the bookkeepers will ask for a higher fee to sort it out first, and then continue with regular charges. Ensure you take into account this consideration when changing from one bookkeeper to another.
6. Location
Bookkeepers based in big cities such as Sydney or Melbourne usually have higher charges due to the cost of living in those cities.
7. Full-Time vs. Part-Time vs. Outsourced
The full-time in-house bookkeeper is the most expensive option taking into account salary, super, and other entitlements. The part-time bookkeeper allows for flexibility. However, outsourcing and offshore bookkeepers provide a good option that cuts costs without necessarily having to sacrifice quality.
8. Software and Technology
The accounting software used by the service provider may influence prices. Among the most commonly used accounting software in Australia are Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks. It is important to establish whether software subscriptions costs are included in the price quote.
These elements can be taken into consideration when setting your budget and selecting a suitable bookkeeper.
The Significance of hiring a bookkeeper in Australia
In general, small businesses in Australia start their operations with self-managed bookkeeping or delegate the task to administrative staff. But as the business grows, the necessity to hire a bookkeeper arises.
Why Should You Hire a Bookkeeper in Your Business?
Hiring a bookkeeper for your company is useful in several ways.
- They know your business well.
- They are always available to do urgent work.
- You have total control over their work.
However, the price you have to pay for these services is quite high. Let’s move forward to discuss the salary, benefits and overheads of in-house bookkeepers.
Cost of hiring an in-house bookkeeper in Australia
The total cost of hiring an in-house bookkeeper includes salaries, benefits, office space and office equipment. The breakdown of costs is provided below:
1. Bookkeeper salary
In 2026, an average annual salary of an in-house Australian bookkeeper varies between AU$65,000 to AU$85,000.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary (AUD) |
| Entry-Level (0-2 years) | AU$50,000- AU$62,000 |
| Mid- Level (2-10 years) | AU$80,000 – AU$85,000 |
| Experienced (10+ years) | AU$85,000 – AU$95,000 |
2. Benefits
Employers should include contributions to superannuation (12%), paid leaves, health insurance, etc. Benefits comprise 20%-30% of the basic salary.
3. Recruitment Cost
Recruitment includes advertisement of positions, interviews, onboarding. The recruitment cost varies in AU$5,000 to AU$10,000 according to different procedures of recruitment.
4. Training Cost
Training is needed in order for a bookkeeper to be able to use accounting software such as MYOB or Xero. It will cost about AU$1,000 to AU$3,000 per year.
Xero bookkeeping services offer a cost-effective solution by automating tasks and reducing the high expenses of hiring in-house bookkeepers.
5. Office Space and Equipment
Office space, computer and bookkeeping software cost AU$2,000-AU$5,000 annually.
6. Miscellaneous Expenses
Miscellaneous expenses may amount to legal fees and may cost AU$1,000 annually.
Annual Cost of Hiring In-House Bookkeepers in Australia: AU$65,000 – AU$105,000
Cost of hiring an in-house bookkeeper per month: AU$5,417-AU$8,750.
Hiring in-house bookkeeper provides personal touch and control, but it is very expensive like salary, allowances, recruitment and office expenses. Total cost of the year will be AU$65,000-AU$105,000. Although it is good for the corporation that requires constant services, it will be better suited for smaller corporations that have limited budgets. Finally, it all depends on your corporation’s financial stability and requirements.
Like having a flexible system with fewer expenses? Consider accounting and bookkeeping services.
Is Hiring an In-House Bookkeeper Worth It?
Whereas it is always advantageous to have a personal employee as you can be able to control everything in your firm, it might not necessarily be financially viable especially when you have a small budget.
Even though these services offer an all-inclusive solution, the cost of bookkeeping varies between AU$2,500 and AU$5,000 every month.
Outsourcing Bookkeeping Services: A Cost-Effective Alternative
With outsourcing bookkeeping functions, you will be able to avoid all the overhead expenses related to employing a personal employee. The following comparison explains how outsourcing bookkeeping can be done:
Cost Comparison: In-House vs. Outsourced Bookkeeper
The main point to take into account when choosing between an in-house and outsourced bookkeeper is the difference in cost and service. The following chart provides the cost of bookkeeping services in Australia:
Bookkeeper Hourly Rate in Australia for Outsourced Services
- Services from other countries: AU$25 – AU$60 per hour (may face challenges related to time zone differences and foreign laws).
- Services in Australia: AU$40 – AU$120 per hour.
Monthly Flat-Rate Packages
Australian companies provide different flat-rate packages of bookkeeping services for $500 – $2,500 per month. It is much cheaper compared to hiring an in-house bookkeeper.
Extra Services That Influence Cost
Outsource bookkeeping firms may offer extra services that may affect cost positively but add more value to your business:
| Service | Average Per Month Cost (AUD) |
| Payroll processing | AU$150 – AU$300 |
| Performance analysis | Included |
The extra services offered make it easy for small firms to go for outsource bookkeeping due to flexibility and low overheads.
Monthly Accounting Services: A Comprehensive Solution
The outsourcing of accounting services combines all necessary bookkeeping activities into one solution that is available throughout the whole year and is customised for your particular company. These services are meant to facilitate the management of finances and minimise the risks to make your business successful. The following are just some of the advantages that you can obtain:
- Risk Minimisation: With the help of planning, the outsourcing of accounting services allows reducing possible risks and liabilities.
- Financial Analysis: The regular analysis of financial statements performed by a bookkeeper will allow you to increase your revenues and control your expenses.
- Advisory Services: Monthly accounting services often include advice on growth opportunities and even exit strategies to help guide your business decisions.
- Consultations: Monthly accounting services may also provide consultations on the ways of growing your business and exiting from it when needed.
The outsourcing of accounting services usually costs from AU$2,500 to AU$5,000 per month, but combines several activities into one service.
Choose the outsourcing accounting services and take the next step in managing your finances effectively and increasing profits every month.
Cost comparison: In-house Vs Outsourced bookkeeper
Below is the comparision of In-house vs outsourced bookkeeper Australia:
| Cost Factor | In-House Bookkeeper | Outsourced Bookkeeper Service | Monthly Accounting Service |
| Salary/Fees | AU$65k – AU$85k annually | AU$500 – AU$2,500/month | AU$2,500 – AU$5,000/month |
| Benefits | Included | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Recruitment Cost | AU$5k – AU$10k | None | None |
| Training | AU$1k – AU$3k annually | None | Included |
| Office Space & Equipment | AU$2k – AU$5k annually | None | None |
Your Trusted Outsourced Accounting Partner.
Conclusion
There are many ways to hire a bookkeeper in Australia and each option has its own cost and benefits. You can hire an in-house bookkeeper or outsource your bookkeeping needs to an expert. It is important to understand bookkeeping rates and cost to make the right decision.
If you want to reduce the overheads, then outsourcing bookkeeping services or monthly accounting services can be a better option for you. However, if you are someone who is looking for an onsite and dedicated support then hiring in-house bookkeeper may be the right choice for you.
Whether your business is small or big, your budget is limited or flexible, it is most important that you choose a solution that suits your needs and improves your financial health.
Why spend up to AU$105,000 a year on an in-house bookkeeper when expert outsourced bookkeeper support starts from just AU$500 a month? Contact Outbooks today on 0451 320 102 or email us at info@outbooks.com.au and let us help you find the right bookkeeping solution for your budget and business in 2026.
FAQs
1. How. much does a bookkeeper cost in Australia?
The cost of hiring an in-house bookkeeper is AU$65,000 to AU$105,000 per year. On the other hand, the cost of outsourcing services starts from AU$500 and goes up to AU$2,500 per month.
2. What is the bookkeeper salary structure in Australia for 2026?
The bookkeeper salary structure in Australia for 2026 has the average salary that varies within AU$65,000 to AU$85,000 annually. However, there are some differences in salary depending on the city where one lives (the salary is bigger in Sydney and Melbourne).
3. How to make an in-house bookkeeping cost analysis?
To make an in-house bookkeeping cost analysis, one should take into consideration the salary, the cost of training, software and overhead costs. Also, it would be useful to compare the cost with outsourcing.
4. What are the benefits of hiring an in-house bookkeeper instead of outsourcing?
The benefit of hiring an in-house bookkeeper include better control and the increase in data security. However, outsourcing has its advantages as well.
5. What is the average cost of a bookkeeper per month?
The average bookkeeping cost per month ranges from AU$2,500 to AU$5,000 for monthly accounting, depending on the level of involvement.
6. How much does a bookkeeper charge per hour in Australia?
Australian bookkeeper hourly rate costs from AU$40 to AU$120 an hour for outsourced bookkeepers, depending on experience.
7. What is the difference between in-house and outsourced bookkeeper cost?
The annual cost of employing an in-house bookkeeper costs around AU$65,000 to AU$105,000, while outsourced bookkeeping services cost from AU$500 to AU$2,500 per month.
8. How much should I pay for a bookkeeper in Australia?
When you hire an in-house bookkeeper, the total cost would be AU$65,000 to AU$105,000 a year. When you outsource, the cost is significantly lower – about AU$500 to AU$2,500 a month.
9. How are bookkeeping fees structured in Australia?
Bookkeeping costs are calculated by either bookkeeping fees per hour (AU$40 to AU$120) or per month (AU$500 to AU$5,000).
10. How much is the bookkeeper hourly rate in Australia?
The rate of the bookkeeping service in Australia per hour varies from AU$40 to AU$120 per hour, based on the service provider.
11. Does the cost of bookkeeping vary for small business?
Small businesses typically pay lower bookkeeping rates, ranging from AU$40 to AU$120 per hour, especially if outsourcing services.
12. How much is the cost of hiring a full time bookkeeper in Australia?
It costs between AU$65,000 and AU$105,000 a year to hire a bookkeeper in Australia.
Parul is a content specialist with expertise in accounting industry. Her writing covers a wide range of domains such as, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivables, Bookkeeping and more. She writes well-researched content and has a strong understanding of accounting terms and industry-specific terminologies. As a subject matter expert, she simplifies complex concepts into clear, practical insights, helping businesses with accurate tips and solutions to make informed decisions.