Bookkeeping Cost in Cairns (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangeIn Cairns, bookkeeping is usually charged either as an hourly rate or a fixed monthly package. A realistic market estimate is about A$60-A$120 per hour for general bookkeeping, or roughly A$150-A$800+ per month for small-business package work, depending on transaction volume, payroll and BAS needs. Exact Cairns-specific public pricing is limited, so these figures should be treated as clearly labelled estimates unless linked to an official provider source.
Overview
Bookkeeping costs in Cairns generally follow the same pattern as elsewhere in regional Queensland: small businesses are commonly billed either by the hour for ad hoc support or on a recurring monthly package for ongoing reconciliations, payroll, accounts payable/receivable and software maintenance. For a sole trader or micro-business using Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks, costs are usually at the lower end of the range if records are tidy and payroll is minimal. Prices rise when a business has frequent transactions, multiple bank accounts, inventory, regular payroll runs, catch-up bookkeeping or Business Activity Statement preparation. In Australia, BAS services for a fee must generally be provided by a registered BAS agent or tax agent, which matters when comparing quotes in Cairns. If you only need basic data entry and reconciliations, a lower hourly rate may apply; if you need payroll compliance, superannuation processing, STP reporting and BAS lodgement, the provider’s qualifications and registration usually push the price higher. Many firms also offer fixed-fee cloud-bookkeeping packages, which can help Cairns businesses with seasonal trade, tourism-related cash flow, or remote owner-management. Because public price lists are uncommon, it is normal to request a tailored quote based on monthly transaction numbers, employees, software setup and whether historical cleanup work is required.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| General bookkeeping hourly rate in Cairns(per hour) Estimated range based on typical Australian small-business bookkeeping market rates, adjusted for regional Queensland service pricing and common cloud-bookkeeping offerings. | ~A$60 – A$120 | Estimated range |
| Monthly bookkeeping package for a sole trader or micro-business(per month) Estimated range for low-volume businesses needing basic reconciliations and software maintenance, based on common Australian package structures. | ~A$150 – A$350 | Estimated range |
| Monthly bookkeeping package for a small business with payroll/BAS support(per month) Estimated range based on typical Australian fixed-fee bookkeeping packages where transaction volume, payroll and BAS work increase labour time. | ~A$300 – A$800 | Estimated range |
| Catch-up or clean-up bookkeeping(per hour) Estimated range for higher-complexity remedial work, which commonly costs more than routine ongoing bookkeeping. | ~A$70 – A$130 | Estimated range |
| BAS agent registration annual fee(per year) Official annual fee listed by the Tax Practitioners Board for BAS agent registration category. | ~A$176 – A$176 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Bank and credit card reconciliations
- Accounts payable and receivable processing
- Payroll processing and superannuation administration
- BAS preparation and lodgement where the provider is registered
- Cloud accounting file maintenance
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: Tax Practitioners Board
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Routine bookkeeping is usually ongoing weekly or monthly; cleanup jobs may run for several hours to several weeks depending on backlog.
How Fees Work
Common fee structures are hourly billing for ad hoc or catch-up work, and fixed monthly packages for recurring services. Software subscription fees may be separate.
Factors Affecting Price
- Number of monthly transactions, bank accounts and reconciliations
- Whether payroll, superannuation and Single Touch Payroll reporting are included
- Need for BAS preparation/lodgement by a registered BAS agent
- Quality of your records and whether catch-up or cleanup work is required
- Software platform used and whether app integrations or inventory are involved
Local Context
In Cairns, bookkeeping costs are usually quoted in Australian dollars and may be influenced by whether the provider services tourism, hospitality, trades or seasonal businesses with fluctuating transaction volumes. GST may apply to the service fee if the provider is registered. Tipping is not expected in Australia for business services.
These are data-informed estimate ranges, not confirmed prices.
Costs like this vary widely by job, location, timing and provider, so there is no single fixed price. The ranges here are based on typical market rates to give you a realistic ballpark. For an exact figure for your situation, get a quote or check the official source below.
All prices are in Australian dollars (AUD).
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Institute of Certified Bookkeepers · industry
Recognised Australian bookkeeping industry body.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bookkeeper charge per hour in Cairns?+
A reasonable estimate is about A$60-A$120 per hour, with many straightforward small-business jobs clustering around the mid-range. More complex cleanup, payroll or compliance-heavy work often sits higher.
Do Cairns bookkeepers offer monthly packages?+
Yes. Fixed monthly packages are common for ongoing work such as reconciliations, payroll and BAS support. For very small businesses, packages often start around A$150-A$350 per month, rising for higher transaction volumes or staff payroll.
Does BAS work need a registered professional?+
Yes, if someone provides BAS services for a fee in Australia they generally need to be a registered BAS agent or tax agent. You can check registration through the Tax Practitioners Board.
What usually makes bookkeeping more expensive?+
The biggest drivers are transaction volume, payroll complexity, backlog cleanup, inventory, multiple entities or bank accounts, and whether BAS lodgement is included.
Is software included in the bookkeeping price?+
Not always. Some firms bundle Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks subscription costs into a package, but many quote bookkeeping labour separately from software fees.
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