Australian Bookkeeper Hourly Rates — 2026
| Bookkeeper Type | Hourly Rate (AUD) | Typical Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Junior bookkeeper | A$35–A$55/hr | Data entry, bank rec, basic coding |
| Experienced bookkeeper | A$55–A$85/hr | BAS preparation, payroll, AP/AR |
| Registered BAS Agent | A$80–A$120/hr | Full BAS lodgement authority, compliance |
| Senior / practice manager | A$90–A$150/hr | Management accounts, multi-entity, advisory |
| Indian CA-supervised (outsourced) | A$12–A$22/hr | Full scope — BAS, payroll, reporting |
Rates are typically 10–20% higher in Sydney and Melbourne CBD than regional areas. Bookkeepers with Xero Advisor or MYOB certification command the upper end of each range. A registered BAS Agent has completed additional CPD and passed TASA requirements — they can legally lodge BAS on your behalf.
Monthly Packages — What Australian Businesses Actually Pay
Most bookkeepers charge a fixed monthly package rather than hourly for ongoing clients. Here is what the market looks like for different business sizes in 2026:
| Business Size | Transactions/Month | Local Bookkeeper | Indian CA Firm | Annual Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro (sole trader, side business) | Under 100 | A$600–A$1,000 | A$200–A$350 | A$3,000–A$7,800 |
| Small (1–5 staff) | 100–300 | A$1,200–A$2,000 | A$350–A$600 | A$7,200–A$17,400 |
| Medium (5–20 staff) | 300–800 | A$2,000–A$3,500 | A$600–A$1,100 | A$11,000–A$28,800 |
| Larger (20–50 staff) | 800–2,000 | A$3,500–A$6,000 | A$1,100–A$2,000 | A$18,000–A$48,000 |
The True Cost of a Full-Time In-House Bookkeeper
Most business owners compare the bookkeeper's salary to the outsourcing fee — and miss the full picture. Here is what a full-time in-house Australian bookkeeper actually costs in 2026:
| Cost Component | Annual Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | A$60,000–A$75,000 | Market rate for experienced bookkeeper |
| Superannuation (11.5%) | A$6,900–A$8,625 | Mandatory employer contribution |
| Annual leave (4 weeks) | A$4,615–A$5,769 | Paid leave + loading |
| Sick leave (10 days) | A$2,308–A$2,885 | Statutory entitlement |
| WorkCover insurance (~2%) | A$1,200–A$1,500 | Varies by state and industry |
| Payroll tax (if applicable) | A$0–A$3,750 | State-dependent, threshold ~A$900K–A$1.2M wages |
| Recruitment (once-off, amortised) | A$1,500–A$5,000 | Agency fee or job ad cost |
| Software licences (Xero, MYOB) | A$400–A$1,000 | Bookkeeper's access subscription |
| Total annual cost | A$76,923–A$103,529 | A$6,410–A$8,627/month |
Full-time Indian dedicated accountant: A$2,200–A$3,500/month
Full-time local bookkeeper all-in: A$6,410–A$8,627/month
Annual saving: A$34,920–A$75,324
Contractor vs Employee Bookkeeper — Cost Difference
Many Australian businesses engage bookkeepers as contractors (ABN holders) rather than employees to avoid on-costs. The rate comparison:
- Employee bookkeeper: A$60,000–A$75,000 salary + ~28% on-costs = A$76,800–A$96,000/year total
- Contractor bookkeeper (ABN): A$55–A$85/hr × typical 600 hrs/year = A$33,000–A$51,000/year for part-time, or A$65,000–A$100,000 for full-time equivalent hours
- Indian outsourced (fixed package): A$4,200–A$10,800/year for the same small business scope
Note: The ATO's Personal Services Income (PSI) rules may apply if a contractor bookkeeper works primarily for one client — this can reclassify them as a deemed employee for tax purposes. Engaging an Indian CA firm (a business entity, not an individual) avoids PSI entirely.
What Should Be Included in a Bookkeeping Package
When comparing quotes, make sure these items are explicitly included or excluded:
- Bank reconciliation (all accounts — trading, credit card, loan)
- BAS preparation — monthly or quarterly (lodgement by you or your tax agent)
- Payroll processing including STP and super (or is payroll extra?)
- Accounts payable — entering and coding supplier invoices
- Accounts receivable — raising invoices and debtor follow-up (often extra)
- Monthly P&L and balance sheet
- Year-end workpapers for your accountant (often extra with local bookkeepers)
Many local bookkeepers quote low and add extras — payroll is billed separately at A$20–A$40 per employee per month, BAS lodgement is extra, year-end cleanup is extra. Indian firms typically include all of the above in one fixed fee. Always get a like-for-like scope comparison. See our in-house vs outsourced guide for the full 12-factor comparison, and our Australia savings guide for worked examples.
Written by Sharma Jyoti, CA (ICAI) — Founder, Sharma Jyoti and Co. We are an ICAI-registered Chartered Accountant firm providing outsourced bookkeeping and accounting services to Australian, US, UK and Canadian businesses. Learn more about our firm →
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