Best Accounting & Payroll Software for Australian Tradies (2026)
Job software runs the work; accounting software runs the money — GST, BAS, payroll and tax. We compared the options Australian tradies actually use and how well they connect to your job-management tool.
At a glance
| Software | Best for | Price from | Our score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XeroThe AU small-business default | Best overall for Australian tradies | $37/moper organisation, ex GST | 9 | Try free |
| MYOBLong-standing AU bookkeeping | Best if your accountant already uses MYOB | $35/moBusiness Lite, ex GST | 8.6 | Try free |
| QuickBooks OnlineFeature-rich, sharp pricing | Best value feature set | $33/moSimple Start | 8.4 | Try free |
| Employment HeroPayroll + HR in one | Best for payroll once you have a team | $10/user/moPayroll · min 10 users | 8.5 | Get demo |
| HnryBuilt for sole traders | Best for sole traders | 1% +GSTof income, capped $1,500+GST/yr | 8.2 | Try Hnry |
Prices are the standard published rates (indicative, and often ex-GST) — always confirm on the vendor's site, which may also be running introductory offers. We last reviewed them against vendor pages inOctober 2026, and where a vendor doesn't publish pricing we say so instead of guessing.
How we test accounting software
- GST/BAS handling and bank-feed accuracy for AU businesses.
- STP-compliant payroll for one-person to small teams.
- Integrations with tradie job-management software.
- Pricing checked against the vendor’s own current page.
Our promises
The top picks, in detail
Xero
Pros
- The default for AU accountants & bookkeepers
- Clean bank feeds, GST and BAS
- Huge app ecosystem (incl. job software)
Cons
- Add-ons push the price up
- Payroll is a paid extra
"Manage your finances" plans. First 3 months: $7.40 Ignite / $15.60 Grow / $21.40 Comprehensive (then $37 / $78 / $107), or 1 month free.
Price checked October 2026 against the vendor's pricing page.
MYOB
Pros
- Widely used by AU accountants
- Solid BAS/GST and payroll options
- Long track record
Cons
- Interface feels dated to some
- Tiers can confuse
First 6 months $17.50, then $35. Business Pro $70; AccountRight Plus $165 (intro rates available).
Price checked October 2026 against the vendor's pricing page.
QuickBooks Online
Pros
- Strong features for the money
- Good reporting
- Decent mobile app
Cons
- Promo pricing rises after the first year
- Support reviews mixed
First 6 months: $9.90 Simple Start / $18 Essentials / $25.20 Plus / $37.50 Advanced.
Price checked October 2026 against the vendor's pricing page.
Common questions
What is the best accounting software for a tradie in Australia?
Xero is the default choice for most Australian trade businesses and the one your accountant is most likely to want. MYOB is the pick if your bookkeeper already uses it, and QuickBooks is the best value features-per-dollar.
Do I need accounting software if I already use job-management software?
Yes — they do different jobs. Your job software runs the work (quotes, jobs, invoices); your accounting software runs the money (GST/BAS, payroll, tax). Most tradies run both and connect them.
Which is best for payroll?
Employment Hero if you employ people (STP-compliant payroll + HR). If you are a sole trader, Hnry bundles tax and invoicing with no monthly fee.
Can my job software sync to Xero or MYOB?
Yes — Tradify, ServiceM8, AroFlo and Simpro all sync with Xero; MYOB support varies by tool. This is one of the first things to check when pairing the two.