Melbourne bookkeeping prices (quick guide)

Here are common price ranges you’ll see for bookkeeping services in Melbourne. These are realistic ranges for outsourced bookkeeping and cover most small business needs.

Bookkeeper hourly rates in Melbourne

• $50–$80 per hour: basic data entry, reconciliations for simple businesses, low transaction volume.
• $80–$120 per hour: experienced bookkeepers, better systems support, stronger reporting, payroll experience.
• $120–$180+ per hour: complex businesses, multi-entity, heavy payroll, catch-up/clean-up work, advisory-style support.

Monthly bookkeeping packages (most common)

• $200–$450/month: micro businesses (low transactions, monthly reconciliation, basic reporting).
• $450–$900/month: typical small business package (regular reconciliation, debtors/creditors support, reporting).
• $900–$1,800+/month: higher transaction volume, payroll, inventory add-ons, multiple bank feeds, job tracking.

Weekly bookkeeping (for busier businesses)

• $150–$350/week: consistent weekly processing and reconciliations.
• $350–$700+/week: busy businesses with payroll, A/P + A/R support, tighter reporting cadence.

Tip: If you’re seeing quotes that are far cheaper, check what’s excluded (payroll, BAS prep, cleanup time, reporting, or support). If you’re seeing quotes that are far higher, the bookkeeper may be including payroll processing, BAS review, and ongoing support between scheduled work.

What affects bookkeeping costs in Melbourne?

1) Transaction volume (the biggest factor)

A business with 80 transactions per month is very different from one with 800. Bookkeeping cost scales with:

• number of bank/credit card transactions
• number of invoices issued and bills received
• number of accounts and bank feeds
• frequency of work (weekly vs monthly)

2) Complexity: payroll, inventory, job costing, multiple entities

These add meaningful time and therefore cost:

• Payroll (single touch payroll, allowances, overtime, leave, terminations)
• Superannuation and STP compliance support
• Inventory (stock tracking, COGS accuracy)
• Job costing (trades, projects, service jobs)
• Multiple entities (trust + company, separate GST registrations)

3) Software and setup (Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks)

Most Melbourne bookkeepers work in Xero, MYOB, or QuickBooks Online. Costs rise if you need:

• initial setup (chart of accounts, bank feeds, invoice templates)
• integrations (POS systems, Stripe, PayPal, Shopify, tradie job systems)
• cleanup of broken bank rules or messy historical coding

4) How far behind your books are

If you’re behind by 3–12 months, bookkeeping becomes catch-up or clean-up work. This is often billed hourly or as a one-off project because the time required is hard to estimate until the bookkeeper sees the file.

Common bookkeeping pricing models (and what they include)

Pay-as-you-go (hourly)

Hourly bookkeeping suits businesses with irregular needs or uncertain volume. It’s also common for clean-up work.

• Best for: catch-up, one-off reconciliations, setup, system fixes, ad-hoc support.
• How to manage cost: agree on a scope and request weekly time summaries.

Fixed monthly packages

Monthly packages are popular because they’re predictable. A good package will define exactly what’s included and what triggers extra charges.

Typical inclusions:

• bank and credit card reconciliations
• coding and categorisation of transactions
• basic reporting (P&L and balance sheet)
• liaison with your accountant as needed

Common add-ons:

• accounts payable (supplier bills, payment scheduling)
• accounts receivable (invoicing, follow-ups)
• payroll (STP, payslips, leave tracking)
• BAS/IAS preparation support

Weekly bookkeeping

Weekly work is for businesses that want control and speed. It usually costs more, but it can prevent end-of-quarter panic and reduce accounting clean-up fees later.

• Best for: higher volume, payroll businesses, tight cash flow, project-based operations.
• Big benefit: issues are fixed immediately, not months later.

Pricing by service type (bullet points)

BAS / IAS support

• $150–$400: simple quarterly BAS support where books are already clean.
• $400–$900+: BAS support with payroll, adjustments, or messy reconciliations.

Note: Some bookkeepers prepare BAS figures and reports for your accountant; others (if registered appropriately) may lodge. Always confirm exactly what you’re paying for.

Payroll processing

• $30–$60 per employee per pay run: common for small payrolls with standard conditions.
• $200–$600/month: typical payroll add-on range depending on employee count and complexity.

Catch-up bookkeeping (if you’re behind)

• $500–$1,500: 1–3 months behind for a simple business.
• $1,500–$5,000+: 6–12 months behind, multiple accounts, missing documents, or heavy payroll.

Catch-up pricing varies the most because it depends on the condition of your file and whether bank feeds and source documents are available.

Software setup and systems

• $300–$800: basic setup (bank feeds, chart of accounts tidy-up, invoice templates).
• $800–$2,500+: setup with integrations (POS/eCommerce/payment gateways), reporting packs, and workflow.

What you should get for your bookkeeping spend

If you’re paying for a professional bookkeeper in Melbourne, you should expect structure and accountability—not just data entry. At minimum, you should receive:

Baseline deliverables

• reconciled bank and credit card accounts (no unexplained balances)
• up-to-date coding with sensible categories
• receipts and documents attached where required
• a clean Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet you can trust
• clear notes on issues that need your decision (not silent assumptions)

Signs of a higher-value service

• monthly management reports (with simple commentary)
• cash flow awareness (flagging GST, payroll, big bills, tax set-asides)
• bookkeeping processes that reduce errors (bank rules, standard coding)
• coordination with your accountant before BAS or year-end

How to reduce bookkeeping costs (without reducing quality)

Your bookkeeping quote gets cheaper when your inputs are cleaner. Here’s what makes a real difference:

Use bank feeds and keep accounts separate

• separate business and personal spending (avoid mixed transactions)
• connect bank feeds (reduces manual entry)
• use a dedicated business credit card for expenses

Use receipt capture and consistent documentation

• upload receipts weekly (not quarterly)
• keep supplier invoices in one place (inbox rule)
• make sure every large purchase has a tax invoice

Choose the right cadence (weekly vs monthly)

Monthly bookkeeping is usually cheaper, but weekly bookkeeping can stop errors early and reduce clean-up. If your business is busy, weekly may actually lower total cost over the year because you avoid big fixes later.

How to choose a bookkeeper in Melbourne (simple checklist)

Before you accept a quote, ask these questions. Good bookkeepers answer clearly.

Questions to ask

• What bookkeeping software do you specialise in (Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks)?
• Is your pricing hourly, package-based, or both?
• What exactly is included in the package (and what is extra)?
• How often will you reconcile and deliver reports?
• How do you handle payroll (STP), super, and leave?
• What do you need from me each month to keep costs down?
• How do you work with my accountant at BAS and EOFY time?

Red flags

• they can’t explain what “done” looks like (no clear deliverables)
• they won’t define what’s included vs extra
• they avoid reporting and only talk about “data entry”
• they won’t reconcile properly (or leave suspense accounts unresolved)

What should you budget for bookkeeping in Melbourne?

As a quick rule of thumb for Melbourne small businesses:

• Sole trader / low volume: budget $200–$450/month
• Small business with steady volume: budget $450–$900/month
• Payroll + higher volume: budget $900–$1,800+/month
• Behind on bookkeeping: budget a one-off clean-up of $500–$5,000+ depending on backlog

The best way to get an accurate quote is to provide: your approximate monthly transaction count, number of bank/credit accounts, whether you have payroll (and how many staff), and how many months behind you are (if any).

Get a Melbourne bookkeeping quote

If you want a clean fixed price, most bookkeepers will quote after a quick file review. Add your primary call-to-action here:

• Request a quote (transaction volume + payroll + how far behind)
• Book a discovery call (to confirm scope and inclusions)

Bottom line: in Melbourne, bookkeeping commonly costs anywhere from a few hundred dollars per month for simple businesses to $1,800+ per month for higher volume and payroll. The right bookkeeper pays for themselves by keeping your numbers reliable, your BAS stress-free, and your cash flow clearer.