Best Bookkeeping Software Australia (2026)

The best bookkeeping software in Australia for most small businesses is Xero or MYOB if you need a full ledger, bank reconciliation and BAS, Reckon if price decides it, and Zoho Books if you qualify for its free plan. If all you need is to send invoices, you may not need accounting software yet — a spreadsheet plus a proper invoicing tool can carry you until GST registration.

We build InvoiceSonic, an invoicing tool mentioned below. It is not bookkeeping software, and we say so where it matters. Prices were checked on vendor pages in September 2026 and change often.

What bookkeeping software actually does

Bookkeeping software records every business transaction, matches it against your bank account, codes GST, and produces the financial reports and BAS figures your accountant needs. Invoicing is one feature inside it, not the whole job.

For Australian small businesses, the features that earn the subscription are:

• Bank feeds that pull transactions in automatically, so there is less manual entry
• Bank reconciliation that matches each deposit to an invoice or expense
• GST coding and BAS preparation
• Profit and loss and balance sheet reporting
• Accountant access, so your tax agent can work in the same file
• Payroll, Single Touch Payroll and Payday Super support once you employ staff

If three or more of those matter to you, you are shopping for accounting software. If none do, you are shopping for invoicing.

The main options for Australian small businesses

Zoho Books: the one genuinely free plan

Zoho Books' free plan is for businesses with revenue under A$50,000 a year. It allows one user plus one accountant and up to 1,000 invoices a year. It handles GST, which makes it a real answer to "free accounting software" rather than a trial.

The catch is the ceiling. Cross A$50,000 in revenue and you move to a paid plan, starting at A$16.50 a month billed annually. That is still cheap, but check you are comfortable in the Zoho ecosystem before you build your books there.

Reckon One: the budget Australian choice

Reckon One's Accounting Plus plan is A$24 a month after its introductory offer, with unlimited users, unlimited invoices, GST tracking, cash flow reporting and automatic bank connections. There is a 30-day trial with no card required, and data is hosted in Australia.

Fewer accountants use Reckon than Xero or MYOB, so ask yours before committing. If they work in Xero, the saving can disappear in billable hours.

MYOB: Australian-built, from Solo to AccountRight

MYOB covers the whole range. MYOB Solo is a mobile-first option for sole operators handling invoices, expenses and simple tax from a phone. The Business Lite and Pro plans add payroll, inventory management and unlimited bank accounts as you grow, and AccountRight suits larger or multi-entity businesses.

MYOB runs frequent introductory discounts, so compare the price you will pay after the promotion ends. Check the current plan limits on MYOB's pricing page before choosing.

Xero: the accountant's default

Xero's bank feeds, BAS lodgement and accountant ecosystem are its strengths — most Australian accountants are Xero-certified. Its entry Ignite plan caps you at 20 invoices a month; above that you need Grow at A$78 a month.

That cap matters more than the headline price. A cleaner billing weekly or a tutor billing fifteen families will pass 20 invoices quickly. Count your real monthly volume before you sign up.

QuickBooks Online: strong mobile app, watch the discount

QuickBooks Online is known for its mobile app and receipt capture. It usually runs a large discount for the first months, so budget for the regular price rather than the introductory one.

Rounded: built for sole traders

Rounded targets Australian sole traders and freelancers with quotes, invoices, expenses and BAS-friendly reports in one place. Starter is A$23.95 a month and Pro, aimed at GST-registered businesses, is A$29.95. Both have a 14-day trial.

Why Wave keeps appearing on Australian lists

Wave is free and popular, so it still appears on many Australian roundups. But Wave supports the US and Canada, and its own support notice says overseas product support has been discontinued. It is not a sensible choice for a new Australian business.

Older desktop tools such as Cashflow Manager also still appear on these lists. If you are starting fresh, a cloud platform with bank feeds will save more time.

A simple progression for a small Australian business

Stage 1 — under the A$75,000 GST registration threshold, few expenses. A spreadsheet plus a proper invoicing tool is fine. Keep receipts, record income as it arrives and issue compliant invoices with your ABN.

Stage 2 — registered for GST and lodging BAS. Now bookkeeping software pays for itself: bank feeds and GST coding save hours each quarter and reduce errors in your tax returns.

Stage 3 — employees, inventory or an accountant doing your books. Choose Xero or MYOB and follow your accountant's preference. Employers also need payroll that handles Single Touch Payroll and Payday Super, which requires super to be paid with each pay cycle from 1 July 2026 — confirm the details with the ATO.

What any bookkeeping tool must get right for the ATO

A tax invoice for a sale over A$82.50 including GST needs the words "Tax Invoice", your ABN, the date, a description of what was sold, and the GST amount or a statement that the total includes GST. Sales of A$1,000 or more also need the buyer's identity or ABN.

If you are not registered for GST, do not charge it, and call the document an invoice rather than a tax invoice. See what a tax invoice is and how to add GST to an invoice for the detail.

Where invoicing tools fit

If your real need is sending professional, compliant invoices and knowing what has been paid, you do not need a full ledger yet. Look at invoicing software australia options, free invoicing software australia if you only bill occasionally, or sole trader invoicing software for repeat clients.

InvoiceSonic handles ABN and GST fields and online payments instructions such as PayID, and you can download a PDF without signing up. It does not do bank reconciliation, BAS lodgement, payroll or expense tracking — for those, choose one of the platforms above. For professional services firms billing by the hour, pair it with an accounting tool rather than replacing one.

Related guides: sole trader accounting software, the best free invoice app in Australia and accounting software for the self-employed.

Frequently asked questions

Is there free bookkeeping software in Australia?

Zoho Books has a free plan for businesses with revenue under A$50,000 a year, with one user plus an accountant and up to 1,000 invoices a year. Most other platforms offer a 14–30 day trial rather than a free plan.

What is the best bookkeeping software for small businesses in Australia?

Xero or MYOB if you work with an accountant or employ staff, Reckon One if price is the deciding factor, and Zoho Books if you fit its free plan.

Can I use Wave in Australia?

Wave supports the US and Canada. It is not a sensible choice for a new Australian business.

Do I need bookkeeping software if I'm not registered for GST?

Usually not. Below the A$75,000 threshold with simple expenses, a spreadsheet and a compliant invoicing tool are often enough.

Does invoicing software handle BAS?

No. Invoicing tools produce invoices. BAS needs accounting software with GST reporting, or an accountant or bookkeeper.

Prices were checked on vendor pricing pages in September 2026 and change frequently. General information only, not tax or financial advice.