Bookkeeping Cost in Sydney (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangeIn Sydney, bookkeeping is commonly charged either as an hourly rate or as a fixed monthly package. A realistic market estimate is about AUD 50–100 per hour for routine bookkeeping, with small-business monthly packages often landing around AUD 200–800 depending on transaction volume, payroll and BAS needs. Where public provider pricing is available, it tends to sit within that broad range, but many firms quote only after reviewing the business size and software setup.
Overview
Bookkeeping costs in Sydney vary mainly by how complex the business is rather than by suburb alone. Sole traders and very small companies using cloud accounting software and needing only bank reconciliations, invoice processing and basic reporting will usually pay at the lower end of the market. Businesses with payroll, high transaction volumes, multiple bank accounts, inventory, or regular BAS preparation generally pay more, either through a higher hourly rate or a larger monthly retainer. In Australia, bookkeepers often price work in one of three ways: hourly billing, fixed weekly or monthly packages, or add-on pricing for tasks such as payroll, catch-up bookkeeping and BAS lodgement support. Sydney rates are often a little higher than some regional areas because labour costs are higher and many clients require more hands-on software support and compliance work. For oversight and standards, the Tax Practitioners Board regulates BAS agents, and if a bookkeeper is preparing or lodging BAS work for a fee they generally need BAS agent registration. Industry bodies such as the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and CPA Australia also provide guidance on professional standards and selecting a qualified provider. Because many bookkeeping firms do not publish a complete public price list, exact quotes are often customised after a review of transactions, payroll headcount and reporting frequency.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Routine bookkeeping hourly rate in Sydney(per hour) Estimated range based on typical market rates for Australian metro bookkeeping services, with Sydney commonly sitting in the mid-to-upper part of national pricing. Estimated range | ~A$50 – A$100 | Estimated range |
| Small business monthly bookkeeping package(per month) Estimated range for a small Sydney business needing regular reconciliations, accounts processing and basic reporting; excludes more complex payroll or catch-up work. Estimated range | ~A$200 – A$800 | Estimated range |
| Payroll add-on for small business bookkeeping(per month) Estimated range based on common payroll complexity factors such as employee count, superannuation, Single Touch Payroll processing and pay frequency. Estimated range | ~A$50 – A$250 | Estimated range |
| Catch-up bookkeeping / clean-up work(per hour) Estimated range for historical reconciliations and file clean-up, which usually costs more than straightforward ongoing processing because it is more labour-intensive. Estimated range | ~A$60 – A$120 | Estimated range |
| BAS-related bookkeeping support(per hour) Estimated market rate for BAS-capable bookkeeping support; BAS services for a fee generally require registration with the Tax Practitioners Board. Estimated range | ~A$80 – A$150 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Bank and credit card reconciliations
- Accounts payable and receivable processing
- Payroll processing and superannuation support
- Management reports
- BAS preparation support where appropriately registered
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: Tax Practitioners Board
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Ongoing bookkeeping is usually weekly, fortnightly or monthly; catch-up jobs can take from a few hours to several weeks depending on backlog.
How Fees Work
Most Sydney bookkeepers charge either an hourly rate, a fixed monthly retainer based on transaction volume, or a base package with add-ons for payroll, BAS, software training and historical clean-up.
Factors Affecting Price
- Number of monthly transactions and bank accounts to reconcile
- Whether payroll, superannuation and Single Touch Payroll reporting are included
- Need for BAS preparation or lodgement support by a registered BAS agent
- Quality of the existing bookkeeping records and whether catch-up work is required
- Software stack used, such as Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks, and any app integrations
Local Context
Sydney bookkeeping fees are usually quoted in AUD and may be listed either including or excluding GST depending on whether the provider is marketing to businesses. Tipping is not expected in Australia. Metro Sydney pricing is often somewhat higher than regional New South Wales, especially for on-site support or more specialised payroll and BAS work.
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 figures 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
Industry body relevant to bookkeeping standards and practitioner guidance in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bookkeeper charge per hour in Sydney?+
A practical estimate is around AUD 50 to 100 per hour for routine bookkeeping in Sydney, with higher rates more likely for complex clean-up work, payroll-heavy files or BAS-related support.
Is it cheaper to use a monthly bookkeeping package?+
Often yes, if you need regular ongoing work. Fixed monthly packages can provide better budget certainty than ad hoc hourly billing, especially when reconciliations, invoice processing and reporting happen every month.
Do Sydney bookkeepers charge extra for payroll?+
Usually yes. Payroll is commonly priced as an add-on because cost depends on employee numbers, pay runs, superannuation and Single Touch Payroll obligations.
Can any bookkeeper lodge BAS in Australia?+
No. If someone provides BAS services for a fee, they generally need to be registered with the Tax Practitioners Board as a BAS agent.
Why do bookkeeping quotes vary so much?+
The biggest drivers are transaction volume, payroll complexity, software quality, frequency of reporting, and whether the records are clean or need catch-up work. Two businesses of similar size can have very different bookkeeping needs.
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