10 Best Bookkeeping Services in Australia Compared (Free + Paid, 2026)

A fully-loaded in-house bookkeeper costs an Australian small business $70,000–$95,000 a year. The outsourced equivalent runs $7,200–$30,000 — a 60–80% saving for the same scope of work. From 1 July 2026, getting that decision wrong costs more: Payday Super shifts SG from quarterly to per-payday, the $20,000 instant asset write-off reverts to $1,000, and STP Phase 2 leniency is over.

Bookkeeping services fix most of that exposure. They lodge BAS, run payroll, reconcile bank feeds, and keep records the ATO will accept. The question is which provider fits your business size, software stack, and tolerance for offshore delivery.

This guide covers 10 bookkeeping services operating in Australia, both onshore and offshore, with verified TPB registrations and honest assessments of what each does well and where it falls short.

Table of Contents

1. What separates a good bookkeeping service from a mediocre one
2. Quick comparison table
3. 1. Lyvia Bookkeeping
4. 2. Sleek Australia
5. 3. Cotchy
6. 4. Visory
7. 5. Scale Suite
8. 6. More Bookkeeping
9. 7. Bookkeeping Collective (McAdam Siemon)
10. 8. Reliable Bookkeeping Services
11. 9. BDO Australia
12. 10. Hammerjack
13. Also worth knowing
14. How to choose the right bookkeeping service
15. Frequently asked questions

What separates a good bookkeeping service from a mediocre one

Before the list, here are the five things that matter most when choosing a bookkeeper in 2026:

TPB registration. Only registered BAS agents can lodge BAS for a fee under Australian law. Verify the entity or principal on the TPB Public Register before signing. Unregistered providers offering BAS lodgement is the single largest red flag.

Pricing transparency. Quote-only is the default in this industry, which makes comparison-shopping difficult. Providers that publish starting prices save weeks of sales calls. See our 2026 bookkeeping cost guide for typical hourly rates and monthly package bands.

Software match. Xero holds about 52% of the AU small-business cloud-accounting market in 2025; MYOB ~28%; QuickBooks smaller. Pick the platform first, the bookkeeper second — see our best bookkeeping software comparison.

Payday Super readiness. From 1 July 2026, super is paid every payday, not quarterly. A bookkeeper who hasn’t raised this with you by mid-2026 is behind on the most significant payroll change in a decade.

Lock-in terms. Month-to-month is the modern default. A 12-month minimum on standard ongoing bookkeeping should come with a specific reason — usually unpaid catch-up work scoped into the engagement.

Top 10 Bookkeeping Service Provider Australia Comparison Table

#	Provider	Best for	Starting price	TPB-registered	Software	Lock-in
1	Lyvia Bookkeeping	Melbourne sole traders, creative studios, restaurants, small business	Quote per scope	Xero Certified Advisor	Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks	None
2	Sleek Australia	Sole traders, founders, online SMEs	$130/mo	Entity #26131380 + ASIC #47659	Xero	None
3	Cotchy	Startups, sole traders, franchises	$195/mo ex GST	Via parent #24754369	Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks	None
4	Visory	AU/NZ SMEs wanting onshore team	$545/mo	Individual experts	Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks, Employment Hero, Dext	Monthly
5	Scale Suite	Growing SMEs $1M–$20M	$1,500/mo	Entity #26298194	Xero (Gold)	None + 30-day money-back
6	More Bookkeeping	Melbourne SMEs needing verified BAS agent	Quote-only	Entity #25431928 + ICB #400466	Xero (Gold), MYOB, QuickBooks (Silver)	Not disclosed
7	Bookkeeping Collective	QLD SMEs on Xero, compliance-led	Quote-only	Via parent #26025348	Xero (Gold)	Not disclosed
8	Reliable Bookkeeping	Long-established Melbourne local	Quote-only	Claimed; number not displayed	Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks	Not disclosed
9	BDO Australia	Mid-market + multinational subsidiaries	Quote-only	Multiple firm-level	Not declared	Not disclosed
10	Hammerjack	AU firms wanting offshore PH team	Quote-only	Entity #25956625	Client’s stack	Not disclosed

1. Lyvia Bookkeeping

Disclosure: Lyvia Bookkeeping is the author’s solo practice and is included here as the local-Melbourne option in this comparison.

Lyvia Bookkeeping is a solo, Melbourne-based bookkeeping practice run by Lyvia Ling Ji Wen. Every engagement is handled personally — no team, no offshore outsourcing, no rotating junior staff. Every bank reconciliation, payroll run, and report passes through one desk. The service targets Melbourne sole traders, creative studios, allied health clinics, hospitality, and tradies who want a single dedicated bookkeeper rather than a multi-person team.

Standout features:

• Solo principal bookkeeper — one dedicated point of contact for every reconciliation, payroll run, and report
• Xero Certified Advisor; supports MYOB and QuickBooks across the Melbourne SMB stack
• Onshore Melbourne delivery; no offshore outsourcing, no rotating junior staff
• Bilingual EN/ZH for Mandarin-speaking small business owners
• Per-scope quoting — no per-transaction or surprise hourly billing

Pricing: Quote per scope. Custom proposal after a free 30-minute discovery call.

Where it fits: Melbourne sole traders, micro-businesses, and small businesses (creative studios, allied health, hospitality, tradies) who want a single dedicated bookkeeper, ATO-compliant records, and onshore-only delivery.

Limitations: Solo capacity — works best for businesses that suit a one-person bookkeeper relationship rather than a multi-person team. BAS lodgement and tax-return work are coordinated with a separate registered BAS or tax agent. No mid-market or multinational coverage.

Visit: Lyvia Bookkeeping

2. Sleek Australia

Sleek is built specifically around a digital-first Xero bookkeeping subscription for founders. Clients sign up online, get matched with a dedicated senior bookkeeper, and have their Xero licence bundled into the monthly fee. No separate Xero subscription, no manual onboarding queue.

Standout features:

• Entity-level TPB registration (#26131380) plus ASIC Registered Agent #47659 displayed up front
• Xero subscription bundled with the service
• Dedicated senior bookkeeper, monthly or quarterly delivery
• AR/AP reporting; multi-currency add-on at $21/mo; payroll at $25/payslip/employee
• Largest verifiable third-party review base on this list (~3,664 group Trustpilot reviews)

Pricing: $130/month Starter; $230/month Pro/Grow. Bundled Xero licence. No annual contract.

Where it fits: Sole traders, founders, and online SMEs already on Xero who want a low-friction subscription with the strongest credential display on this list.

Limitations: Xero-only — out of scope for MYOB, QuickBooks, or Reckon stacks. Group Trustpilot rating of 3.9/5 indicates mixed feedback at scale. Remote-only relationship may not suit buyers wanting a long-tenure local bookkeeper.

Visit: Sleek Australia

3. Cotchy

Cotchy is the modern bookkeeping-and-tax brand of Paris Financial, a Melbourne CPA firm trading since 1978. Six published monthly tiers bundle bookkeeping with progressively more — business tax, ASIC compliance, automation, advisory — at a published flat fee. Few Australian bookkeepers publish prices this clearly.

Standout features:

• Six tiered fixed-fee monthly packages with line-item comparison on the pricing page
• Bookkeeping + business tax + ASIC bundled from one CPA-led firm
• 47-year parent-group history (Paris Financial Tax Agent #24754369)
• Explicit no-lock-in policy stated in FAQ
• CPA-led onshore Australian team

Pricing: $195/$395/$495/$595/$695/$795 per month ex GST. Sole trader Plus from $395/month. Add-ons for owner tax return, planning, catch-up.

Where it fits: Australian startups, small franchises, and sole traders that want fixed-fee bookkeeping plus tax and ASIC bundled at a published rate without a sales call.

Limitations: No Cotchy-branded TPB BAS-agent number is displayed; clients rely on parent Paris Financial registrations. Software-partner tier (Xero Gold, MYOB Partner) not publicly stated. Trustpilot rating 2.9/5 from only 4 reviews — sample too small to be conclusive but the absence of a strong public review profile is real.

Visit: Cotchy

4. Visory

Visory operates a platform-style bookkeeping service where each client engagement is delivered by a dedicated 2–4 person team — bookkeeper, senior bookkeeper, manager. The pitch is full onshore AU/NZ delivery with multi-software flexibility, explicitly positioned against offshore-leveraged competitors.

Standout features:

• 100% onshore AU/NZ delivery, explicitly stated (“Experts must live in Australia or New Zealand”)
• Multi-person team per tier reduces key-person risk
• Multi-software coverage: Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks, Employment Hero, Dext, Stripe
• Real-time accrual bookkeeping with monthly P&L, balance sheet, cashflow
• Quarterly BAS prep and lodgement, receipt capture, payment integration

Pricing: Tier 1 from $545/month (expenses up to $75K); Tier 2 from $895/month (up to $125K); Tier 3 contact for pricing. Monthly direct debit.

Where it fits: AU and NZ SMEs $1M–$5M revenue wanting an onshore team with multi-software coverage rather than a sole bookkeeper.

Limitations: No company-level TPB BAS-agent number publicly displayed; verification sits at the individual-bookkeeper level. No public ISO 27001, APP, or SOC 2 attestation. “Starting at” pricing means actual fees are quote-determined; the headline figure may not reflect typical client cost.

Visit: Visory

5. Scale Suite

Scale Suite positions itself as a complete outsourced finance department — bookkeeping plus cashflow plus light CFO oversight — rather than transactional bookkeeping. Pricing is structured as a band tied to the scope of the finance function offloaded. The no-lock-in plus money-back-guarantee structure is uncommon in this segment.

Standout features:

• Verified entity-level TPB BAS Agent #26298194
• Xero Gold Partner & Certified Advisor; Employment Hero Gold Partner
• Daily/weekly transactional bookkeeping plus monthly close, P&L, balance sheet, cashflow
• Cashflow forecasting and management reporting
• Light CFO oversight at higher tiers; Sydney HQ

Pricing: From $1,500/month, typical band $2,500–$6,000/month. No lock-in. 30-day money-back guarantee. Stated client-cost saving versus an internal hire: $50K–$70K+ p.a.

Where it fits: Australian SMEs $1M–$20M revenue on Xero who want a Sydney-based outsourced finance department without contract lock-in.

Limitations: No public founding-year information — limited firm-history transparency. Sparse third-party review history (TechBehemoths/Clutch profiles exist without meaningful counts). Software coverage is Xero-centric — no MYOB, QuickBooks, or Reckon partner status declared.

Visit: Scale Suite

6. More Bookkeeping

More Bookkeeping is a Melbourne BAS specialist with one of the strongest credential displays on this list — entity-level TPB BAS agent registration, the principal’s individual TPB registration, plus formal Xero, MYOB, and QuickBooks partner status. The combination is rare. For local context, see our note on common bookkeeping mistakes Melbourne small businesses make.

Standout features:

• Verified TPB Company BAS Agent #25431928 plus principal’s individual #25188217
• Triple software-partner coverage: Xero Gold + MYOB + QuickBooks Silver
• Institute of Certified Bookkeepers Member #400466
• Software setup and conversion across all three platforms
• Onshore Melbourne — certified bookkeepers and registered BAS agents

Pricing: Quote-only — “Get a Tailored Quote” CTA only. No published rates.

Where it fits: Melbourne SMEs needing a TPB-verified BAS agent with multi-software coverage, particularly tradies and field-services SMEs that may switch platforms mid-job.

Limitations: No published pricing — entirely quote-driven with no starting figure or plan tiers. Sparse public review history; no Google or Trustpilot aggregate located. Founding/trading year not publicly disclosed.

Visit: More Bookkeeping

7. Bookkeeping Collective (McAdam Siemon)

The Bookkeeping Collective is the bookkeeping arm of McAdam Siemon, a Brisbane CPA firm operating since 1996. The proposition is bookkeeping delivered with the discipline of a tax-agent firm — and notably, it is the only provider on this list that publicly addresses Payday Super 1 July 2026 readiness on its website at time of research.

Standout features:

• Backed by McAdam Siemon (TPB Tax Agent #26025348), trading since 1996
• Xero Gold Partner — top Xero certification tier
• Only listed provider publicly addressing the 1 July 2026 Payday Super reform
• Fixed-fee bookkeeping packages reviewed annually
• Upfront or monthly instalment payment options

Pricing: Quote-only. Fixed-fee per engagement; no published dollar figures.

Where it fits: Australian SMEs already on Xero, particularly in Queensland, who want bookkeeping delivered by the bookkeeping arm of an established CPA firm with current regulatory awareness.

Limitations: No public pricing whatsoever. Single-software focus (Xero only) — businesses on MYOB, QuickBooks, or Reckon are not the target. No standalone TPB BAS-agent registration under the “Bookkeeping Collective” trading name; credentials sit with the parent licence.

Visit: Bookkeeping Collective

8. Reliable Bookkeeping Services

Reliable Bookkeeping Services is an independent Melbourne bookkeeping firm trading since 2007. The proposition is local-Melbourne delivery with broader-than-typical software coverage — Xero, MYOB, and QuickBooks all explicitly supported. Public credentials and pricing transparency are weaker than the firms above; long trading history is the main differentiator.

Standout features:

• Long-running Melbourne presence, operating since 2007 (~19 years)
• Multi-software coverage: Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks
• Cloud-based delivery with role-based file access
• General bookkeeping, reconciliation, BAS preparation
• Onshore Melbourne-based delivery (no offshore claims)

Pricing: Quote-only — no published rates. Site directs visitors to “Get an appointment”.

Where it fits: Melbourne SMEs wanting a long-established local bookkeeping firm with multi-software coverage and comfortable with a quote-only pricing process.

Limitations: TPB licensing is claimed in plain language but the specific BAS-agent registration number is not displayed on the website — buyers should request it directly. Public testimonials shown on the site are dated 2019; little visible recent (2024–2026) social proof.

Visit: Reliable Bookkeeping Services

9. BDO Australia

BDO Australia is the local member firm of the global BDO network and one of the largest mid-tier audit and advisory firms in Australia. Bookkeeping is part of a broader outsourcing-solutions practice that also covers cloud accounting, outsourced finance function, payroll, and treasury — bookkeeping inside an integrated audit-tax-advisory relationship rather than a standalone engagement.

Standout features:

• 10 offices across Australian capitals and major regional cities
• Established 1975 in Australia; part of the global BDO network
• Bookkeeping integrates with audit, tax, and advisory under one engagement letter
• Cloud Accounting, Outsourced Finance Function, Outsourced Payroll
• Treasury services and Global Outsourcing for international groups

Pricing: Quote-only. Mid-tier audit-firm professional-services rates apply, typically above dedicated bookkeeping shops.

Where it fits: Mid-market Australian businesses and inbound multinational subsidiaries that want bookkeeping inside a broader audit-tax-advisory relationship with a Big-Mid-Tier firm presence in every Australian capital.

Limitations: No published bookkeeping pricing — entirely quote-driven. Bookkeeping page does not name specific software partner status (Xero/MYOB/QuickBooks tier). Birdeye Sydney profile shows 2.9/5 across 20 reviews — meaningful but small.

Visit: BDO Australia

10. Hammerjack

Hammerjack is an Australian-owned outsourcing firm specialising in building dedicated offshore finance and accounting teams in the Philippines for AU clients. The proposition is full-team build-out — bookkeeper, AP/AR, payroll, tax accountant, paraplanner — under ISO 27001-certified facility controls. Included on this list specifically as the offshore-but-credentialled option for buyers who want offshore-leveraged delivery without the credential opacity that often comes with it.

Standout features:

• ISO 27001 certified facilities (own-statement on FAQ page)
• Verified Company BAS Agent #25956625 — entity-level TPB credential despite offshore delivery
• Dedicated offshore finance staff: AR/AP, payroll, bookkeeping, tax accounting, paraplanning
• Operates inside the client’s chosen finance platform
• Three engagement types: dedicated staff, shared services, project-based

Pricing: Quote-only across all three engagement types. Custom pricing per role.

Where it fits: Accounting firms and mid-market AU businesses wanting to build dedicated Philippines-based finance teams under ISO 27001 controls.

Limitations: Delivery is offshore in the Philippines, not onshore Australia. No public pricing — every engagement is quote-only. No customer-facing review aggregate (Google or Trustpilot) found at time of research; published reviews are predominantly Glassdoor employee or a 2-review Clutch profile.

Visit: Hammerjack

Also worth knowing

One more provider comes up regularly in evaluation conversations even though it falls outside the main 10.

Outbooks

Outbooks is an India-based outsourced bookkeeping provider with an Australian-facing site. It lists only a mobile number rather than a fixed AU corporate address, which is the typical AU-presence pattern in the offshore-India category. Multi-software support; quote-only pricing. Best for AU firms that already have a TPB-registered BAS agent on file for lodgement sign-off and just need offshore production capacity.

How to choose the right bookkeeping service

The right provider depends on what your business actually requires, not which firm has the longest credential list.

If you’re a sole trader on Xero: Sleek Australia. $130/month Starter is the lowest published entry point on this list, with TPB and ASIC credentials displayed up front and the Xero subscription bundled.

If you want bundled tax and ASIC compliance: Cotchy. Six published tiers from $195–$795/month ex GST, no lock-in, CPA-led firm with 47-year parent-group history.

If you’re a growing SME ($1M–$20M) wanting an onshore team: Visory at $545/$895 per month for the multi-person team model, or Scale Suite at $1,500–$6,000/month for a complete outsourced finance department with no lock-in and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

If software flexibility matters: More Bookkeeping is the only provider on this list partnered with all three of Xero, MYOB, and QuickBooks. Visory covers Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks plus Employment Hero, Dext, and Stripe.

If you’re in a compliance-heavy industry (NDIS, healthcare): Bookkeeping Collective. The only provider on this list publicly addressing 1 July 2026 Payday Super readiness, backed by a CPA firm trading since 1996.

If you need mid-market or multinational integration: BDO Australia. Best read as the integrated audit-tax-advisory option rather than a dedicated bookkeeping provider. Ten Australian offices, established 1975.

If you specifically want offshore delivery: Hammerjack for ISO 27001-certified Philippines-based teams with TPB credentials.

The bookkeeping engagement is a 12-month decision that shapes every BAS lodgement, every payroll cycle, and every ATO interaction in between. Spending time choosing the right provider is worth it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest bookkeeping service in Australia in 2026?

Sleek Australia offers the lowest published entry point at $130/month for sole traders on Xero. Cotchy starts at $195/month ex GST for basic bookkeeping with a CPA-led firm. Most other providers on this list are quote-only, so direct price comparison isn’t possible without a sales call.

How do I verify a bookkeeper is actually TPB registered?

Search the TPB Public Register by name or registration number. The register shows registered agent name, number, registration type (BAS agent or tax agent), status (active/suspended/terminated), and any conditions. Screenshot the page on the day you engage them and keep the record. If the firm isn’t registered as an entity but its principal is registered individually, that’s acceptable — but ask which individual will personally sign your BAS lodgements.

Do I need a bookkeeper, BAS agent, or accountant?

A bookkeeper records transactions, reconciles accounts, runs payroll, and produces reports. A BAS agent is a bookkeeper registered with the TPB who can lodge BAS for a fee — Australian law restricts BAS-lodgement-for-fee to TPB-registered agents. A tax agent or accountant lodges the annual income tax return. For most small businesses, the right structure is a registered BAS agent for ongoing compliance work plus a separate tax agent for the annual return.

How much does bookkeeping cost in Australia in 2026?

Hourly rates fall into three tiers: $30–$55 for entry-level work, $50–$80 for intermediate (BAS prep, payroll, monthly reports), and $80–$150 for registered BAS agents handling lodgement and complex compliance. Fixed monthly packages: sole trader $125–$650, small business $300–$1,800, medium SME $800–$2,500, larger SME $2,500–$5,000+. Sydney and Melbourne attract a 10–15% premium. Full breakdown in our 2026 bookkeeping pricing guide.

What is Payday Super and why does it matter when choosing a bookkeeper?

From 1 July 2026, employers must pay each employee’s super on payday rather than quarterly. For most Australian businesses that means weekly, fortnightly, or monthly super payments depending on payroll frequency. Contributions must be received by the super fund within seven business days of payday. A bookkeeper who hasn’t reconfigured payroll software and clearing-house arrangements for Payday Super by mid-2026 is behind on the most significant payroll change in a decade. If your prospective bookkeeper hasn’t raised it in onboarding conversations, that’s the warning sign.