Best Accounting Software for Australian Electricians 2025
The right accounting software streamlines BAS, manages payroll, and tracks job profitability. We've tested and compared the leading options for Australian electrical contractors.
Quick Recommendations
Best Overall: Xero
Feature-rich, best integrations, mobile-first
Best Value: QuickBooks
Affordable, good features, growing AU presence
Best All-in-One: MYOB
Payroll included, strong AU tax features
Best for Sole Traders: Rounded
Simple, affordable, built for tradies
What Australian Electricians Need
Essential Features Checklist
Detailed Software Comparison
Xero
Overall best for tradies
Pricing: $59-$88/month
Pros
- Best mobile app
- 700+ integrations
- Single Touch Payroll
- Beautiful interface
Cons
- Payroll extra cost
- Can be overwhelming
- More expensive
MYOB Business
All-in-one solution
Pricing: $50-$100/month
Pros
- Payroll included
- Unlimited users
- Strong AU features
- Good reporting
Cons
- Interface dated
- Fewer integrations
- Learning curve
QuickBooks Online
Value for money
Pricing: $25-$60/month
Pros
- Affordable
- Good features
- STP compliant
- Easy invoicing
Cons
- Smaller market share
- Limited integrations
- Support can be slow
Rounded
Sole traders
Pricing: $15-$25/month
Pros
- Built for tradies
- Simple pricing
- GST handling
- Lightweight
Cons
- Limited features
- No payroll
- Not for companies
Xero: The Australian Market Leader
Xero dominates the Australian small business market for good reason. It's cloud-native, beautifully designed, and integrates with virtually every business app—including job management software for electricians.
Why Xero Works for Australian Electricians
- Australian tax compliance: BAS, GST, PAYG, and STP built-in
- Single Touch Payroll: Compliant with ATO requirements
- Superannuation: Track and report super obligations
- Bank feeds: Connects to all major Australian banks
- Mobile app: Invoice on-site, snap receipts, check cash flow
Xero Pricing (Australia)
| Plan | Monthly | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $32 | Sole traders (limited invoices) |
| Standard | $59 | Most small electrical businesses |
| Premium | $88 | Multi-currency, projects, analytics |
Add Payroll from $8/month (1-4 employees) to $22/month (5-10 employees). Prices include GST.
BAS Handling Comparison
All major accounting software handles BAS, but the experience varies. Here's how they compare for GST/BAS compliance:
| Feature | Xero | MYOB | QuickBooks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto GST calc | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BAS worksheet | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ATO direct lodgment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Activity statement history | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fuel tax credits | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAYG instalments | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
All three handle Australian BAS requirements well. The difference is in user experience—Xero tends to be most intuitive, MYOB most comprehensive, QuickBooks best value.
Single Touch Payroll (STP) Compliance
STP Requirements
All employers must report payroll information to the ATO through Single Touch Payroll with every pay run. Your accounting software must be STP-compliant.
All options covered in this guide (Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks) are STP Phase 2 compliant. Rounded doesn't offer payroll.
Job Costing & Project Tracking
Tracking profitability per job is crucial for electrical contractors. Here's how the software options handle job costing:
Xero Projects (Premium plan)
Built-in project tracking on Premium plan. Track time, expenses, and profitability per job. Integrates with job management apps for deeper functionality.
MYOB Jobs
Robust job tracking across all plans. Good reporting by job. Better for businesses wanting everything in one system.
QuickBooks Projects
Project profitability tracking on Plus and Advanced plans. Less sophisticated than Xero or MYOB but functional.
The Integration Approach
Many electricians use dedicated job management software (like TPT ERP, SimPRO, or ServiceM8) that integrates with their accounting software. This gives the best of both worlds—detailed job management with streamlined accounting.
Our Recommendations by Business Size
Sole Trader Electricians
Top pick: Rounded or Xero Starter
- • Rounded ($15-25/month) is built for tradies with simple needs
- • Xero Starter ($32/month) if you need more features
- • Both handle BAS and basic invoicing well
Small Businesses (2-5 employees)
Top pick: Xero Standard + Payroll
- • Xero Standard ($59) + Payroll ($8-15) = $67-74/month
- • Best mobile experience for on-the-go invoicing
- • Huge app ecosystem for future growth
Growing Businesses (5+ employees)
Top pick: Xero Premium or MYOB Business
- • Xero Premium ($88) for project tracking and analytics
- • MYOB ($80-100) if you want payroll included
- • Both handle complexity as you scale
Switching Accounting Software
Tips for a Smooth Transition
- 1. Choose end of financial year: Natural breakpoint for change
- 2. Export everything: Get all data from old system before cancelling
- 3. Run parallel: Use both systems for a month to verify
- 4. Get help: Bookkeeper can migrate data faster and accurately
- 5. Notify stakeholders: Update bank details if changing payment accounts
FAQ
Can I do my own BAS or do I need an accountant?
You can do your own BAS with good accounting software. Many electricians self-lodge quarterly BAS. However, an accountant is recommended for annual tax returns and strategic advice. Many offer BAS agent services too.
Do I need separate software for payroll?
Xero and QuickBooks offer payroll as add-ons. MYOB includes payroll in most plans. Standalone payroll software exists but integrated is simpler. All major options handle STP compliance.
What's the best software for tracking job profitability?
Xero Projects (Premium) or MYOB both do well. However, dedicated job management software integrated with accounting often provides better visibility. Consider TPT ERP, SimPRO, or ServiceM8 integrated with Xero.
Is free accounting software good enough?
Wave Accounting is free but limited Australian support. For a serious electrical business, paid software ($30-80/month) pays for itself in time savings, accuracy, and professional presentation. Don't skimp here.
Key Takeaways
- Xero is the best all-round choice for most Australian electrical businesses
- Budget $60-90/month for accounting + payroll for a small team
- All major options handle BAS, STP, and Australian tax requirements
- Integrate with job management software for best results
- Choose based on your business size and growth plans
Works with Xero, MYOB & QuickBooks
TPT ERP integrates with all major accounting software. Jobs flow to invoices, then to your accounting system automatically. No double-entry, no errors, hours saved every week.
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