How Much Does BAS Outsourcing Cost? A Simple Guide to Fees and Savings
If you are considering outsourcing your Business Activity Statement (BAS), one of the first questions you may have is: how much does BAS outsourcing cost in Australia?
There is no single fixed price for BAS outsourcing. The cost can vary depending on whether you need BAS preparation, GST reconciliation, bookkeeping, BAS lodgement, or a complete accounting support package.
A simple BAS lodgement may cost considerably less than a service that includes bookkeeping and reconciliation. Businesses with high transaction volumes, multiple entities, complex GST requirements or incomplete records may also require more accounting work.
The important thing is to compare what is included in the fee, rather than looking only at the advertised price.
In this guide, we explain BAS outsourcing costs, common pricing models, factors that affect fees, potential savings and what to look for when comparing BAS outsourcing providers.
How Much Does BAS Outsourcing Cost in Australia?
BAS outsourcing fees can range from relatively low fixed fees for straightforward lodgement services to several hundred dollars or more when BAS preparation, bookkeeping and reconciliation are included.
Current Australian pricing examples demonstrate why there is such a wide range. Some providers advertise low-cost BAS lodgement services for straightforward situations, while broader BAS preparation services can cost several hundred dollars depending on the work required.
For example, Australian market pricing guides have reported BAS preparation costs averaging around several hundred dollars per job, while some providers advertise lower fees for limited BAS lodgement services.
These figures should be treated as indicative market examples rather than standard industry rates. The actual cost depends on your business requirements and the scope of work.
| BAS Service | Typical Pricing Approach | What Can Affect the Cost? |
|---|---|---|
| Simple BAS lodgement | Fixed fee per BAS | Records provided, transaction volume and BAS complexity |
| BAS preparation and lodgement | Fixed fee or package | Transaction volume, GST requirements and record accuracy |
| BAS + bookkeeping | Monthly or quarterly package | Transaction volume, accounts and bookkeeping workload |
| BAS + reconciliation | Fixed fee or hourly | Number of accounts, transactions and reconciliation work |
| Catch-up bookkeeping + BAS | Custom quote | Backlog size, missing records and corrections required |
| Complex or multi-entity BAS | Custom pricing | Number of entities, GST complexity and reconciliation work |
Why BAS Prices Can Be So Different
Two businesses can receive very different BAS outsourcing quotes even if both lodge their BAS quarterly.
One business may already have:
- Clean bookkeeping records
- Reconciled bank accounts
- Correct GST coding
- Organised invoices
- Up-to-date accounting software
Another business may need:
- Transaction review
- Bank reconciliation
- GST corrections
- Missing-document checks
- Historical bookkeeping
- BAS preparation
- BAS lodgement
The second business requires considerably more work. Therefore, comparing the two prices without comparing the services included can be misleading.
What Is BAS Outsourcing?
BAS outsourcing means engaging an external accounting, bookkeeping or BAS service provider to handle some or all of your BAS-related work.
Depending on the agreement, the service may include:
- BAS preparation
- GST calculations
- Transaction review
- Bank reconciliation
- GST reconciliation
- PAYG-related information
- BAS review
- BAS lodgement
- Bookkeeping
- Accounting reports
- Ongoing compliance support
For many businesses, BAS outsourcing forms part of a broader accounting and compliance process rather than being a completely separate activity.
If your business needs broader support beyond BAS preparation and lodgement, you may also consider professional tax and compliance services as part of your overall accounting process.
What Is Included in BAS Outsourcing?
BAS outsourcing packages can differ significantly between providers. Before accepting a quote, check exactly what work is included.
BAS Preparation
BAS preparation involves reviewing the relevant financial information and preparing the figures required for the Business Activity Statement.
This may involve reviewing:
- Sales transactions
- Purchases
- GST collected
- GST paid
- Relevant payroll information
- Other applicable BAS information
The quality of your accounting records can affect how much preparation work is required.
GST Reconciliation
GST reconciliation involves checking GST-related transactions and ensuring the records used for BAS reporting are consistent with the underlying accounting information.
If transactions have been incorrectly coded or accounts have not been reconciled, additional work may be required.
Bookkeeping
Accurate bookkeeping is an important part of maintaining reliable financial records.
Businesses that need ongoing transaction recording, account reconciliation and financial record maintenance may combine BAS support with bookkeeping services.
This can create a more continuous workflow:
Bookkeeping → Reconciliation → BAS Preparation → Review → Lodgement
BAS Review
A review can help identify inconsistencies or missing information before the BAS is lodged.
The scope of review varies by provider, so it is worth asking whether review is included in your quoted fee.
BAS Lodgement
BAS lodgement is the process of submitting the completed BAS to the Australian Taxation Office through an appropriate channel.
Preparation and lodgement are not necessarily the same service. A provider may offer one, both or a package covering the complete process.
BAS Preparation vs BAS Lodgement: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the difference can help you compare BAS outsourcing prices more accurately.
BAS preparation generally involves preparing the BAS figures from the business’s accounting and financial records.
BAS lodgement involves submitting the completed BAS.
A business may therefore receive different quotes depending on whether it needs:
- Lodgement only
- Preparation and lodgement
- Bookkeeping and preparation
- Bookkeeping, reconciliation, preparation and lodgement
For example, if your accounting records are already complete and reconciled, you may only require preparation and lodgement. If your books are incomplete, the provider may need to perform additional bookkeeping and reconciliation before the BAS can be prepared.
What Factors Affect BAS Outsourcing Costs?
Several factors can influence your BAS outsourcing fees.
1. Number of Transactions
Transaction volume is one of the most important considerations.
A business with a small number of monthly transactions generally requires less bookkeeping and reconciliation work than a business processing hundreds or thousands of transactions.
2. Quality of Your Bookkeeping Records
Well-maintained accounting records can make BAS preparation more straightforward.
If transactions are missing, incorrectly categorised or unreconciled, the provider may need additional time to correct the records.
This is one reason businesses often combine BAS support with ongoing bookkeeping services rather than waiting until the end of a reporting period.
3. GST Complexity
The nature of your transactions can affect the level of review required.
Businesses with more complicated GST transactions may need additional checks before BAS preparation and lodgement.
4. BAS Reporting Frequency
Businesses may have different reporting obligations depending on their circumstances.
More frequent reporting can mean more regular accounting and reconciliation work.
5. Payroll
Businesses with employees may have payroll-related records that need to be maintained and considered as part of their broader accounting and reporting processes.
If payroll administration is also taking up significant internal time, businesses may consider payroll services alongside bookkeeping and BAS support.
6. Number of Entities
If you operate multiple businesses or entities, the accounting workload can increase because each entity may require separate records, reconciliations and reporting.
7. Catch-Up Bookkeeping
If your books are behind, the provider may need to complete historical bookkeeping before preparing the BAS.
This can make the first engagement more expensive than ongoing BAS support.
8. Accounting Software
Businesses using accounting platforms such as Xero, MYOB or other cloud accounting systems may have more streamlined workflows when their records are properly maintained.
However, software does not automatically guarantee that the records are correct. Transactions may still need review, reconciliation and professional oversight.
Common BAS Outsourcing Pricing Models
BAS providers can use different pricing structures.
Fixed Fee Per BAS
A provider may charge a fixed amount for each BAS.
This can make budgeting easier when the scope of work remains consistent.
Before accepting a fixed-fee quote, ask what the fee includes and whether additional bookkeeping or reconciliation is charged separately.
Hourly Pricing
Some providers charge based on the time required to complete the work.
This can be suitable when the amount of work varies significantly from one reporting period to another.
However, it can make the final cost less predictable.
Monthly Bookkeeping Package
A business may pay a recurring monthly fee covering bookkeeping, reconciliation and other accounting support, with BAS preparation included within the package.
This can provide a more continuous accounting workflow rather than treating BAS as a standalone quarterly task.
Quarterly Package
Some providers offer quarterly BAS-focused packages.
These may include BAS preparation, reconciliation and lodgement, depending on the provider.
Custom Pricing
Custom pricing may be used for businesses with:
- High transaction volumes
- Multiple entities
- Complex accounting requirements
- Historical bookkeeping issues
- Payroll requirements
- Additional financial reporting needs
The advantage is that the service can be designed around the actual workload rather than applying a generic fee.
BAS Outsourcing Cost Examples
The following examples are illustrative scenarios, not fixed Australian industry prices.
Example 1: Small Business With Clean Records
Imagine a small business that:
- Uses cloud accounting software
- Has relatively few transactions
- Keeps records up to date
- Reconciles its accounts regularly
- Needs quarterly BAS preparation and lodgement
Because the records are already organised, the provider may have less bookkeeping and cleanup work to perform.
Example 2: Growing Business
A growing business may have:
- More transactions
- Several bank accounts
- Employees
- Regular bookkeeping requirements
- Quarterly BAS reporting
The business may benefit from a monthly bookkeeping arrangement combined with BAS preparation and lodgement.
Example 3: Business With a Bookkeeping Backlog
A business may have:
- Several months of unreconciled transactions
- Incorrect GST coding
- Missing documents
- Out-of-date bookkeeping
In this situation, the first engagement can cost more because the provider must clean up the records before completing the BAS work.
Once the records are brought up to date, ongoing BAS costs may become more predictable.
BAS Outsourcing vs Doing It Yourself
Some business owners prepare their BAS themselves, particularly when their accounting records are straightforward.
However, the real comparison is not simply:
DIY = free
Outsourcing = paid
The business owner also spends time maintaining records, checking transactions, reconciling accounts and preparing the BAS.
Factor | DIY BAS | Outsourced BAS |
Direct service fee | Usually lower | Additional service cost |
Owner time | Higher | Potentially lower |
Bookkeeping | Self-managed | Can be outsourced |
Professional support | Limited to available resources | Available under the engagement |
Scalability | Depends on internal capacity | Can be adjusted with the service |
Cost predictability | Depends on internal workload | Can be fixed or packaged |
The financial benefit of outsourcing depends on your circumstances. A business should consider both the provider’s fee and the value of the time that internal staff or business owners would otherwise spend on accounting administration.
BAS Outsourcing vs Hiring an In-House Bookkeeper
Another comparison is outsourcing versus employing someone internally.
An employee can provide ongoing support, but the total employment cost can include more than salary.
Businesses may also need to consider:
- Recruitment
- Training
- Superannuation
- Leave
- Payroll costs
- Software
- Equipment
- Management time
- Coverage during staff absence
Outsourcing can instead provide access to external accounting and bookkeeping support without requiring the business to build the same internal function.
The right structure depends on transaction volume, business size, workload and the level of financial support required.
How Much Can BAS Outsourcing Save?
BAS outsourcing can potentially create savings in several ways, although the amount varies from business to business.
Time Savings
Business owners and employees may spend less time on:
- Data entry
- Reconciliation
- GST checks
- BAS preparation
- Document organisation
Reduced Administrative Work
An external provider can take responsibility for defined accounting tasks, reducing the amount of routine financial administration handled internally.
More Predictable Costs
Fixed-fee or packaged services can make accounting expenses easier to budget for when the scope remains consistent.
Reduced Need for Additional Internal Capacity
A business may not need to employ additional accounting staff simply to handle periodic increases in BAS and bookkeeping workload.
More Time for Business Operations
The time saved from administrative work can instead be used for customers, sales, operations and business development.
However, outsourcing should not automatically be described as a guaranteed cost saving. The financial outcome depends on the provider’s fees, the work outsourced and what the business would otherwise spend internally.
What Can Increase Your BAS Outsourcing Bill?
Your BAS outsourcing cost may increase when additional work is required.
Common examples include:
- Overdue BAS
- Unreconciled bank accounts
- Missing invoices
- Incorrect GST coding
- Large transaction volumes
- Multiple entities
- Complex GST transactions
- Historical bookkeeping
- Payroll administration
- Urgent turnaround requirements
- BAS amendments
- Additional reporting
Ask your provider whether these services are included in the standard fee or charged separately.
What Should a BAS Outsourcing Quote Include?
Before choosing a provider, request a clear breakdown of the services included.
Your quote should ideally clarify:
- BAS preparation
- BAS lodgement
- GST reconciliation
- Bookkeeping
- Number of transactions covered
- Number of entities covered
- Payroll support
- Cleanup work
- Accounting software support
- BAS amendments
- Additional reporting
- Communication and support
- Turnaround times
- GST treatment of the quoted price
This makes it easier to compare providers on a like-for-like basis.
How to Compare BAS Outsourcing Quotes
Don’t compare two providers based only on their advertised price.
Instead, create a simple comparison like this:
Service | Provider A | Provider B |
BAS preparation | Included | Included |
BAS lodgement | Included | Included |
GST reconciliation | Check | Included |
Bookkeeping | Extra | Included |
Payroll | Extra | Extra |
Historical cleanup | Extra | Extra |
Ongoing support | Limited | Included |
Pricing structure | Fixed | Monthly package |
The provider with the lower headline price may not be less expensive once additional services are added.
The most useful question is:
“What exactly will I receive for this fee?”
Is BAS Outsourcing Worth the Cost?
Whether BAS outsourcing is worthwhile depends on your business.
It may be worth considering if:
- BAS preparation takes significant owner time
- Your transaction volume is increasing
- Your bookkeeping is becoming difficult to manage
- You need regular accounting support
- You don’t want to hire additional internal staff
- You want a defined external workflow
- You need help maintaining financial records
On the other hand, a very small business with simple and well-maintained records may decide that handling some accounting tasks internally is practical.
The important thing is to compare the total cost, time commitment, service scope and level of support.
How to Choose a BAS Outsourcing Provider in Australia
Price should be only one part of the selection process.
When comparing BAS outsourcing providers, consider:
BAS Experience
Look for experience working with Australian businesses and BAS-related requirements.
Registration Requirements
Where a service constitutes a BAS service for a fee or reward, applicable Tax Practitioners Board registration requirements should be considered. Businesses should verify the provider’s credentials where required.
Clear Pricing
Ask for a written explanation of what is included and what may attract additional charges.
Accounting Software Experience
Check whether the provider works with your accounting platform.
Data Security
Financial records contain sensitive business information, so ask how your information is stored, accessed and protected.
Communication
Find out who will handle your account and how you can contact them when questions arise.
Turnaround Time
Confirm how far in advance the provider requires your records and when the completed BAS will be ready for review or lodgement.
BAS Outsourcing and Accounting Software
Modern accounting software can help businesses maintain financial records and streamline BAS-related workflows.
Cloud accounting platforms can support:
- Bank feeds
- Transaction recording
- Reconciliation
- GST tracking
- Financial reporting
- Document management
- BAS workflows
However, automation does not mean every transaction is automatically correct.
Businesses still need accurate records, appropriate transaction coding and review of financial information before reporting.
This is why accounting software and professional BAS support can work together effectively.
Related Accounting Services You May Outsource
BAS work is often connected with other accounting and administrative functions.
Bookkeeping Services
Ongoing bookkeeping services can help maintain the records needed for BAS preparation, reconciliation and financial reporting.
Tax and Compliance Services
Businesses may also require broader tax and compliance services alongside BAS reporting and other tax obligations.
Payroll Services
For businesses with employees, payroll services can help manage recurring payroll administration and related financial records.
For broader accounting and business support, APT Business Services can help businesses explore outsourced solutions based on their individual requirements.
Conclusion: Understanding the Real Cost of BAS Outsourcing
There is no universal BAS outsourcing price that applies to every Australian business.
The final cost depends on what you need your provider to do. A simple BAS lodgement is very different from a complete service that includes bookkeeping, reconciliation, BAS preparation, review and lodgement.
When comparing BAS outsourcing providers, look beyond the advertised fee and ask:
What work is included, what could cost extra, and how much time will the service save my business?
For businesses that need ongoing support, combining BAS work with bookkeeping, tax and compliance or payroll services can provide a more complete accounting workflow.
If you are considering outsourcing BAS or related accounting tasks, APT Business Services can discuss your requirements and help you determine an appropriate service arrangement for your business.
FAQs About BAS
How much does BAS outsourcing cost in Australia?
BAS outsourcing costs vary depending on the scope of work. Simple lodgement services can have relatively low fixed fees, while BAS preparation combined with bookkeeping, reconciliation and other accounting services can cost several hundred dollars or more.
How much does BAS preparation cost?
BAS preparation costs depend on transaction volume, record quality, GST complexity, reporting requirements and whether bookkeeping or reconciliation is included.
How much does BAS lodgement cost?
BAS lodgement can be offered as a standalone fixed-fee service or included in a broader BAS preparation package. The price depends on the provider and the complexity of the engagement.
Is BAS outsourcing cheaper than hiring a bookkeeper?
It can be, depending on the business’s workload and the services required. When comparing the options, consider the full cost of employment as well as the time required to manage accounting work internally.
What is included in BAS outsourcing?
Depending on the provider, BAS outsourcing may include bookkeeping, reconciliation, GST review, BAS preparation, BAS review and lodgement. Always confirm the exact scope before agreeing to a fee.
What factors affect BAS outsourcing fees?
Transaction volume, bookkeeping quality, GST complexity, reporting frequency, payroll, multiple entities, historical cleanup and additional accounting requirements can all affect the cost.
Can a small business outsource BAS preparation?
Yes. Small businesses can outsource BAS-related work when they want professional support or want to reduce the time spent on bookkeeping and BAS administration.
Does BAS outsourcing include bookkeeping?
Not always. Some providers offer BAS preparation and lodgement separately, while others provide bookkeeping and BAS services as part of a monthly or quarterly package.
Can BAS preparation be outsourced to an offshore team?
Some businesses use offshore teams for accounting administration and bookkeeping support. However, businesses should carefully consider Australian regulatory requirements, data security, service scope and who is responsible for BAS services and lodgement.
How do I compare BAS outsourcing quotes?
Compare the complete scope rather than just the headline price. Check whether preparation, reconciliation, bookkeeping, lodgement, amendments, payroll and support are included or charged separately.