How much does accountant cost in Australia?
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Key takeaways
- Most accountant jobs in Australia land between A$150–A$5,500 — known locally as accountant / tax agent.
- Anyone charging to prepare or lodge tax returns in Australia must be registered with the Tax Practitioners Board — check the TPB register. Membership of CPA Australia, CA ANZ or the IPA adds professional standards. BAS agents are separately registered for GST/BAS work.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Accountant prices by job size in Australia
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual tax return Personal return with sole-trader income | A$150 | A$350 | A$700 |
| Company annual accounts + tax Financial statements and company tax return | A$1,500 | A$2,800 | A$5,500 |
| Monthly bookkeeping + BAS (per month) Books, GST/BAS and payroll retainer | A$350 | A$650 | A$1,500 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per hour | A$120 | A$200 | A$350 |
| monthly bookkeeping | A$350 | A$650 | A$1,500 |
What affects the price
- Job size and scope — bigger or more complex jobs move you up the ranges above.
- Access and condition — hard-to-reach areas, older properties or neglected maintenance add labour time.
- Materials and quality level — where materials are involved, the grade you choose often matters more than labour.
- Urgency — same-day or out-of-hours work usually carries a premium.
- Where you live — large metros in Australia typically run above the national range; smaller towns below it.
How to save
- Get at least three quotes and compare like-for-like scopes, not just totals.
- Be flexible on timing — off-peak slots are often cheaper.
- Bundle related tasks into one visit to spread call-out costs.
- Agree the scope in writing up front to avoid change-order surprises.
How to hire a accountant pro in Australia
- Use a registered Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) tax agent for lodging returns
- Look for CPA Australia, CA ANZ or IPA membership
- Agree scope: income tax, BAS/GST, super, FBT
- Get a written engagement letter and fixed fee
- Confirm ATO agent portal access
- Ask about SMSF or trust experience if relevant
Red flags
- Lodging returns without TPB registration (illegal)
- Fee based on refund size
- No engagement letter
- Encourages cash-economy underreporting
- No professional-body membership
How Handld researches prices
These are researched estimates, not quotes and not our transaction data. We compile ranges from published sources — national statistics, trade bodies and incumbent cost guides — normalise them to AUD, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: TPB registration framework; Australian accounting-firm published fee guides 2025.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an accountant cost for a small business?
Most accountants now price by fixed monthly package rather than the hour. A sole trader's annual return is a modest one-off fee; a small limited company's year-end accounts plus tax filing is a mid three- to four-figure annual cost; ongoing bookkeeping and payroll add a monthly retainer on top.
When should I hire an accountant?
Common triggers: incorporating a company, hitting the VAT/GST registration threshold, taking on employees, or spending too many hours on the books yourself. Engaging one before year-end (not the week the return is due) gets you planning value, not just compliance.
What's the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?
A bookkeeper records transactions, reconciles accounts and runs payroll. An accountant prepares statutory accounts, files tax, and advises on structure and planning. Small firms often use a bookkeeper monthly and an accountant annually.
What should an accountant's engagement letter cover?
Scope (exactly which filings and services are included), fees and how they're billed, deadlines and your responsibilities for providing records, and what falls outside the fee. A one-line quote with no engagement letter is a red flag.
What qualifications should my accountant have?
Look for membership of a recognised professional body (see the country notes below), which brings training standards, regulation, and anti-money-laundering supervision. Anyone can call themselves an 'accountant' in most countries — a chartered/certified designation is the real filter.
Do I need an accountant or can I just use software?
Software (Xero, QuickBooks) handles day-to-day bookkeeping well, but an accountant adds value at year-end for tax filing, compliance and planning. Many businesses run software themselves and pay an accountant only for the annual accounts and tax return.
Can an accountant help me pay less tax legally?
Yes — legitimate planning around business structure, allowable expenses, pension contributions, timing of income, and available reliefs is core work. Be wary of anyone promoting aggressive 'schemes'; if it sounds too good, it usually attracts penalties later.
What does an accountant cost in Australia?
Individual returns run $150-700; company annual accounts and tax $1,500-5,500 depending on complexity. Confirm whether the fee includes GST and BAS lodgement across the year, not just the annual return.
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