Cost guide
How much does an accountant cost in Australia? (2026)
The short answer
$100 to $180
for a simple tax return with a registered tax agent. The middle of the market is about $200. A rental, shares or a business costs more.1
What each job costs
| What | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Simple tax returnOne job, a few work deductions | $100 to $180a return1 |
| Return with a rental or sharesInvestment property or a share portfolio | $150 to $300a return1 |
| Sole trader returnFreelancers and one-person businesses | $150 to $300a return1 |
| BAS preparation and lodgementIf you are registered for GST | $75 to $450a quarter2 |
| Small business accounts and returnCompany or trust, full year-end | $1,500 to $5,000a year2 |
| Monthly compliance retainerBooks, BAS and returns handled for you | $300 to $1,200a month2 |
Get three quotes and compare
Tell us once and hear from up to three accountants who cover your postcode, every one matched to the regulator’s register. Free, no obligation.
21,617 accountants listed·10,860 matched to the TPB register
A simple return, city by city
Typical price for a simple individual return.1
Paying by the hour
Some accountants bill by the hour instead of a fixed fee. Typical rates by state:2
What pushes the price up
- Messy records. Shoebox receipts take longer than a tidy Xero or MYOB file, and time is what you pay for.
- More moving parts. Rentals, shares, crypto, foreign income, trusts and more than one entity each add work.
- Who does the work. A partner costs more an hour than a junior. Ask who will actually prepare your return.
- Leaving it late. Rush jobs near 31 October and catch-up years cost more than lodging on time.
Good to know: What you pay a registered tax agent to do your return is generally deductible, and you claim it in next year’s return.3
Four questions to ask for a quote
- Is that a fixed price, or an estimate by the hour?
- What is included, and what would cost extra?
- Who will prepare it, and who checks it?
- Are you a registered tax agent? (FIZO shows this on every verified listing.)
Quick answers
How much does an accountant cost in Australia?
$100 to $180 for a simple tax return with a registered tax agent. The middle of the market is about $200. A rental, shares or a business costs more.
What makes it cost more?
Messy records: Shoebox receipts take longer than a tidy Xero or MYOB file, and time is what you pay for. More moving parts: Rentals, shares, crypto, foreign income, trusts and more than one entity each add work. Who does the work: A partner costs more an hour than a junior. Ask who will actually prepare your return. Leaving it late: Rush jobs near 31 October and catch-up years cost more than lodging on time.
Can I claim the accountant’s fee on my tax?
What you pay a registered tax agent to do your return is generally deductible, and you claim it in next year’s return.
Ready for a quote?
Tell us once and hear from up to three accountants who cover your postcode, every one matched to the regulator’s register. Free, no obligation.
21,617 accountants listed·10,860 matched to the TPB register
Where these prices come from
- Airtasker, Tax accountant costs in Australia (data updated 26 June 2026)
- Lawpath, How much should you pay an accountant in Australia in 2026 (rates as of April 2026)
- ATO, D10 Cost of managing tax affairs 2026
FIZO does not set or collect fees. Prices are what the sources report, rounded as they publish them. Your quote will depend on your situation.