Best Accounting Software for Australian Tradies (2026)
It's 10pm, BAS is due tomorrow, and you're staring at a shoebox of receipts. That's the reality for too many tradies. The right accounting software doesn't fix the receipts — but it does mean you never face that night again. Here's what actually works for Australian tradespeople, from sole traders to 20-person contracting businesses.
Our Top 3 Picks at a Glance
All 6 Platforms Compared
| Platform | Starting Price (AUD/mo) | Best For | BAS / GST | STP Payroll | Job Mgmt Integration | Try It |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xero | $12 (Starter) | Most tradies, any size | ✓ | ✓ | ServiceM8, Tradify, Fergus, simPRO, AroFlo | Free Trial → |
| MYOB | $27 | AU-support preference | ✓ | ✓ | ServiceM8 (AccountRight), simPRO | Free Trial → |
| QuickBooks Online | $15 | US software integrations | ✓ | ✓ | Tradify, Jobber, ServiceM8 | Free Trial → |
| Rounded | $18 | Sole traders | ✓ | ✗ | Limited | Free Trial → |
| Cashflow Manager | $15 | Basic BAS only | ✓ | ✗ | None | See Plans → |
| Reckon One | $12 | Budget Xero alternative | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | Free Trial → |
Prices in AUD. Verified April 2026 — check with providers for current rates.
Top Picks — Reviewed in Full
Xero is the accounting software that almost every Australian job management platform integrates with. If you're on ServiceM8, Tradify, Fergus, AroFlo, or simPRO, Xero is the obvious accounting choice — invoices, payments, and contacts flow between the two platforms automatically, eliminating double-entry and giving you real-time financial visibility.
The platform handles BAS (quarterly or monthly), GST, PAYG, STP payroll, bank reconciliation, expense management, and financial reporting. The mobile app is solid for approving invoices and expenses on the go. Your accountant or bookkeeper almost certainly already uses Xero, which makes collaboration seamless.
The main criticism is cost — Xero's pricing has increased significantly over the past two years, and the Starter plan ($12/mo) has restrictions on transaction volume that make it unsuitable for active businesses. Most tradies will need the Growing plan at $42/month or higher. The Hubdoc feature (document capture) used to be included free, but is now an add-on.
Pros
- Integrates with every major AU job management platform
- Full BAS, GST, and STP payroll compliance
- Clean, modern interface
- Your accountant already knows it
- Extensive app marketplace
Cons
- Prices have increased significantly (2023–2025)
- Starter plan too restricted for active businesses
- Phone support is limited (email/chat only)
- Hubdoc now costs extra
MYOB is Australia's other big accounting platform, and it remains popular among tradies who value Australian-based phone support and have long-standing relationships with MYOB-trained accountants. MYOB Business (the cloud version) handles BAS, GST, STP payroll, and invoicing. MYOB AccountRight (desktop/cloud hybrid) is more powerful for businesses needing deeper job costing and project tracking.
The main differentiator from Xero is the support model — MYOB offers phone support to Australian customers, which Xero does not. For tradies who aren't tech-savvy and want to call someone when things go wrong, this matters. The interface is less polished than Xero, and the third-party app integrations are fewer, but if your job management software supports MYOB (ServiceM8 integrates with AccountRight), it's a solid choice.
Try MYOB Free →Rounded is an Australian-built accounting app designed specifically for sole traders and freelancers. If you're a one-person operation — electrician, plumber, carpenter — who just needs to send invoices, track expenses, and lodge a BAS without the complexity of Xero, Rounded is worth a serious look. It's simpler to use than Xero, significantly cheaper, and handles all the ATO requirements for sole traders. It does not have STP payroll (you don't need it if you have no employees), and its job management integrations are limited.
Try Rounded Free →💡 Using Xero? Pair it with a receipt scanning app like Dext or Hubdoc to automatically capture job site expenses and push them into Xero — no more glovebox receipts at BAS time. And connect your job management software for automatic invoice sync.
Ready to sort your accounting?
Xero's 30-day free trial lets you connect your bank, run a BAS, and test the Xero integration with your job management software — all before paying a dollar.
Start Xero Free for 30 Days →30-day free trial · No credit card required
Frequently Asked Questions
Xero is better for most Australian tradies — particularly those using ServiceM8, Tradify, Fergus, or AroFlo, which all integrate natively with Xero. MYOB is better if you prefer phone-based Australian support, have a desktop-based accountant, or are already in the MYOB ecosystem. Both handle BAS, GST, STP, and payroll. Read our full Xero vs MYOB for Tradies comparison.
Accounting software for Australian tradies costs between $12/month (Xero Starter, Reckon One) and $85/month (Xero Ultimate with all features). MYOB starts at $27/month. Most tradies running a small business will be on Xero Growing at $42/month or MYOB Business Lite at $27/month. Prices in AUD, verified April 2026.
Yes. Xero has full BAS functionality including GST calculations, quarterly and monthly BAS lodgement, PAYG withholding, and STP (Single Touch Payroll) reporting. You can lodge your BAS directly from Xero via their ATO integration. Your accountant or BAS agent can also access and lodge on your behalf.
Xero is the most widely used accounting software among Australian tradies, largely because of its deep integrations with job management platforms like ServiceM8, Tradify, Fergus, simPRO, and AroFlo. MYOB is the second most common, particularly among older or more established businesses. QuickBooks Online has a smaller share of the Australian market but is growing.
Yes. Xero Starter ($12/month) or Xero Growing ($42/month) are both suitable for sole traders. However, if you're a simple sole trader with no employees and want something easier to use, Rounded ($18/month) is designed specifically for Australian sole traders and is considerably simpler to navigate than Xero.