Starting out
How to become a bookkeeper in Australia
You can be paid to keep someone’s books without any registration. Lodging their BAS, advising on GST or dealing with the ATO for them requires registration as a BAS agent with the Tax Practitioners Board.
Tell us about your business and what you need.
The short answer
The line between bookkeeping and BAS work decides the path.
How to become a bookkeeper in Australia depends on which side of that line you want to work. General bookkeeping needs no registration. BAS services need a qualification, a board approved course and supervised experience.
The line
Bookkeeping versus BAS services
- No registration needed
- Entering transactions, reconciling accounts, invoicing and following up debtors.
- Registration needed
- Preparing or lodging a BAS for a fee.
- Registration needed
- Advising a client on their GST or PAYG obligations.
- Registration needed
- Dealing with the ATO on a client’s behalf about BAS matters.
Many people picture doing a small business owner’s books and the quarterly BAS, and the second half of that is a registered service. The unregistered side pays less per hour, and it is a legitimate way to earn while building experience.
Registration
The path to BAS agent registration
- Certificate IV in accounting and bookkeeping
- Or a higher accounting award.
- A board approved GST and BAS course
- Often included in the Certificate IV.
- Relevant experience
- 1,400 hours in the past four years, or 1,000 hours if you are a voting member of a recognised BAS or tax agent association.
- Professional indemnity insurance
- It must meet the board’s requirements.
The hours are what take time, because they must be relevant BAS work, usually supervised by someone already registered. Registration is renewed rather than permanent. Fees and course codes change, so check the Tax Practitioners Board for the current rules.
Pricing and clients
Pricing and first clients
An hourly rate means you earn less as you get faster with the software. A fixed monthly fee per client lets experience pay you rather than the client. Quote after looking at the client’s file, and charge separately for a catch-up on months of unreconciled transactions.
Local accountants are usually the best source of first clients, because they need someone reliable to hand bookkeeping to. A Google Business Profile with reviews helps people find you, and a website matters because handing over bank feeds and payroll is a trust decision.
- Pick a niche
- Tradies, ecommerce or professional services. It makes you easier to recommend.
- Introduce yourself to local accountants
- Your strongest referral source.
- Say which software you use
- People search by it, and it filters out the wrong clients.
- Ask every client for a review
- Trust work depends on them.
The short version
Start on the unregistered side if you need to earn while you build hours, plan the BAS agent path with the Tax Practitioners Board, and build referral relationships with local accountants early.
From clients
What clients say about working with spareday
“He created a stunning website for us that captures and nurtures leads with an automated email marketing system, which has filled a huge gap in the business and saved a lot of time (and money!).”
“He didn’t just build me a great website, he created an easy-to-manage system that allows me to make updates myself whenever I need to. He has spared me so much time doing all of this myself!”
“Excellent in all facets of web design with particular expertise in SEO and email marketing. Online visibility has skyrocketed since working Reece which translates as flawless customer relations, new leads and new customers.”
Official guidance
For independent background, read the Tax Practitioners Board guidance and the official guidance on registering a business name.
Common questions
Questions people ask.
Do I need to be registered to be a bookkeeper in Australia?
Not for general bookkeeping. You need to be a registered BAS agent to prepare or lodge a BAS for a fee, or to advise on GST and PAYG obligations.
What qualification do I need to become a BAS agent?
A Certificate IV in accounting and bookkeeping, or a higher award, plus a board approved GST and BAS course. Check current course codes with the Tax Practitioners Board.
How much experience do I need?
1,400 hours of relevant experience in the past four years, or 1,000 hours as a voting member of a recognised association.
Can I start earning before I am registered?
Yes. Data entry, reconciliation, invoicing and debtor follow-up need no registration.
How do I get the first clients?
Local accountants first, then a Google Business Profile and reviews.
How does spareday charge?
spareday quotes one price for the work your business needs, agreed in writing before anything starts. The figure depends on what the business needs, and it comes with your quote.
Who you’ll work with
Hi, I’m Reece.
spareday is my business, based here in Newcastle. You’ll deal with me from the first review of your website, and I’m the person you talk to each month about what’s working.
Find us
spareday in Newcastle.
12 Grey Street, Wickham, Newcastle NSW 2293.
Next step
Get a free growth plan for your bookkeeping business.
spareday builds the website, Google Business Profile and enquiry setup for bookkeepers ready to take on clients. Tell us who you work with and where. We will talk through the details and send you a free growth plan, price included.
Or call 0485 017 387.