When you’re running a small business in Australia — whether you’re a sole trader, Airbnb host, builder, or online seller — you need reliable, affordable accounting software for small businesses in Australia to keep your books in order without eating into your profits. Options like Xero, QuickBooks, and MYOB make bookkeeping cheap, simple, and stress-free.
✅ Why Small Businesses Need Accounting Software
Good accounting software saves you time and money. It helps you:
- Track income and expenses.
- Stay GST compliant with the ATO.
- Send professional invoices.
- Manage payroll if you have employees.
- Prepare for BAS and tax time.
For sole traders, tradespeople in construction, Airbnb owners, or e-commerce sellers — affordable accounting software can make a huge difference.
🗂️ Top Affordable Accounting Software Options in Australia
Good accounting software saves you time and money. It helps you:
- Track income and expenses.
- Stay GST compliant with the ATO.
- Send professional invoices.
- Manage payroll if you have employees.
- Prepare for BAS and tax time.
1. XERO - Accounting Software
Xero is one of Australia’s most popular accounting software options for small businesses — and for good reason. It’s cloud-based, user-friendly, and designed with local Australian tax compliance in mind.
Why Xero stands out:
- Automatic Bank Feeds: Link your bank accounts to Xero and watch transactions flow in automatically, saving hours of manual data entry.
- BAS & GST Compliance: Easily prepare and lodge your BAS with the ATO directly through Xero.
- Invoicing & Quotes: Create professional invoices and quotes on the go — perfect for sole traders and small builders working onsite.
- Integrations: Xero integrates with hundreds of third-party apps — perfect for e-commerce stores that need to sync with Shopify, WooCommerce, or payment gateways.
- Multi-User Access: Invite your bookkeeper or accountant to access your books securely.
- Affordable Plans: Xero offers plans to suit sole traders, startups, and growing businesses without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re managing short-term rentals like Airbnb, running an online store, or handling multiple projects in construction, Xero’s flexible features keep your books tidy and tax-ready.
2. MYOB - Accounting Software
MYOB is one of Australia’s most trusted names in accounting software — known for strong local support and great features for businesses of all sizes.
Why MYOB is a solid choice:
- Payroll & Super Made Easy: MYOB makes it simple to manage wages, superannuation, and Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting — perfect for builders and construction companies with contractors or casual workers.
- Job Tracking & Project Management: Keep an eye on job costs and profitability — especially useful for trades and construction businesses that juggle multiple projects.
- GST, BAS & ATO Compliance: MYOB’s built-in tools help you stay on top of compliance, so you avoid costly penalties.
- Inventory Management: For e-commerce businesses, MYOB’s inventory features help you track stock and manage orders efficiently.
- Affordable Plans: MYOB offers budget-friendly plans for sole traders and growing businesses — with room to scale as you expand.
- Australian Support: If you need help, MYOB has local customer support and a huge network of certified partners.
For small builders, construction contractors, sole traders, or e-commerce sellers, MYOB combines affordability with practical tools that keep your finances clear and under control.
3. Quickbooks - Accounting Software
QuickBooks Online is another great affordable accounting software option for Australian small businesses that want reliable bookkeeping at a cheap monthly cost.
Why QuickBooks works well:
- Easy Invoicing & Payments: Quickly create customised invoices and accept online payments to get paid faster — handy for sole traders, e-commerce businesses, and service providers.
- Expense Tracking: Snap photos of receipts with your phone and track expenses in real time — ideal for busy builders or Airbnb owners managing lots of small costs.
- Payroll Add-Ons: Need to pay employees? QuickBooks has affordable payroll options to stay STP-compliant.
- GST & BAS Reporting: QuickBooks makes it easy to prepare and lodge your BAS, keeping you ATO compliant.
- Industry Flexibility: QuickBooks works well for trades, construction, hospitality, retail, and online sellers — making it versatile and practical.
- Affordable Packages: Flexible plans mean you only pay for what you need, making it a cheap yet powerful option for growing businesses.
QuickBooks is designed to help you spend less time on paperwork and more time serving your customers — whether you’re a builder quoting jobs, an Airbnb host tracking bookings, or an e-commerce seller managing inventory.
📈 Cheap Doesn’t Mean Limited
Many small businesses think that ‘cheap’ accounting software means sacrificing quality — but Xero, QuickBooks, and MYOB prove that you can get robust features at a price that won’t hurt your bottom line. With automated invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, and BAS tools — your bookkeeping is sorted without burning a hole in your wallet.
✅ Final Thoughts
Affordable accounting software for small businesses in Australia is more accessible than ever. Whether you’re a sole trader, builder, Airbnb host, or e-commerce entrepreneur, you can choose a plan that fits your budget and keeps you compliant with Australian tax rules.
📣 Need Help Choosing the Right Software?
Ready to find the best cheap accounting software for your small business? Contact us today — we’ll help you choose the right plan, get you set up fast, and keep your books stress-free.
