Bookkeeping Agreement (Australia)
This Bookkeeping Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made on [Agreement Date] between:
[Bookkeeper Name] (ABN [Bookkeeper ABN], TPB Registration [TPB Registration]), of [Bookkeeper Address], [Bookkeeper Suburb], [Bookkeeper State] [Bookkeeper Postcode] (the “Bookkeeper”); and
[Client Name] (ABN [Client ABN], ACN [Client ACN]), of [Client Address], [Client Suburb], [Client State] [Client Postcode] (the “Client”).
The Bookkeeper and the Client are referred to collectively as the “Parties”.
BACKGROUND
A. The Client wishes to engage the Bookkeeper to provide bookkeeping and related services described in this Agreement.
B. The Bookkeeper is a registered BAS agent (or bookkeeper) and agrees to provide those services on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.
C. To the extent the Bookkeeper provides BAS services, those services are regulated by the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (Cth) (TASA) and the Tax Agent Services Regulations 2022 (Cth), and the Bookkeeper must comply with the Code of Professional Conduct under TASA.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1. BOOKKEEPING SERVICES
1.1 The Bookkeeper agrees to provide the following services to the Client commencing on [Commencement Date] (the “Services”):
[Services Description]
1.2 The Services will be performed using [Accounting Software]. The Client must provide the Bookkeeper with appropriate user access to the accounting platform, and to the Client's bank feeds and relevant financial accounts, sufficient to perform the Services.
1.3 The Bookkeeper will perform the Services with due care and skill and in accordance with applicable professional standards, including the Code of Professional Conduct under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (Cth) where BAS services are provided.
1.4 The Services do not include the preparation or lodgement of income tax returns, financial statement auditing, or legal advice unless separately agreed in writing. The Client should engage a registered tax agent (as distinct from a BAS agent) for income tax return services.
1.5 Any variations to the scope of Services must be agreed in writing by both Parties before the varied work commences. Additional fees may apply.
2. CLIENT OBLIGATIONS AND RECORD-KEEPING
2.1 The Client must provide the Bookkeeper with complete and accurate financial records, invoices, receipts, bank statements, and other source documents in a timely manner as required to perform the Services. Incomplete or inaccurate records may result in additional fees and delay.
2.2 The Client must maintain financial records in accordance with applicable law. Under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth) and the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), businesses must generally retain financial records for [Record Retention Years] years from the date the records were prepared, received, or the transactions completed (whichever is latest).
2.3 The Client is responsible for reviewing all reports, BAS lodgements, and financial information produced by the Bookkeeper before submission to the ATO or other authorities. The Client must notify the Bookkeeper of any errors or discrepancies promptly.
2.4 The Client acknowledges that the Bookkeeper's work product depends on the accuracy of information provided by the Client. The Bookkeeper is not liable for errors or omissions in the Services to the extent they arise from inaccurate, incomplete, or untimely information provided by the Client.
3. FEES AND PAYMENT
3.1 In consideration of the performance of the Services, the Client shall pay the Bookkeeper $[Fee Amount] ([GST Treatment]) on [Fee Structure] basis.
3.2 The Bookkeeper will issue tax invoices in accordance with the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth). Each tax invoice will include the Bookkeeper's ABN and clearly state the GST amount or confirm the price is GST-inclusive.
3.3 The Client must pay each tax invoice within [Payment Terms] days of the invoice date by electronic funds transfer. If payment is not received by the due date, the Bookkeeper may charge interest on the overdue amount at 10% per annum, calculated daily from the due date, and may suspend the Services until payment is received.
3.4 Additional services requested by the Client outside the agreed scope will be charged at the Bookkeeper's standard hourly rate, as notified to the Client, and will be invoiced separately.
4. CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY
4.1 The Bookkeeper must keep confidential all financial records, tax information, business information, and other information provided by the Client or obtained in the course of performing the Services. The Bookkeeper must not disclose such information to any third party without the Client's prior written consent, except as required by law or by ATO or TPB requirements.
4.2 The Bookkeeper must handle all personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). Where the Bookkeeper handles personal information of the Client's employees (including for payroll processing), the Bookkeeper must use that information only for the purposes of performing the Services.
4.3 The obligation of confidentiality does not apply to information that is or becomes publicly known through no breach of this Agreement, or that the Bookkeeper is required to disclose by law, court order, or by the Tax Practitioners Board.
4.4 On termination of this Agreement, the Bookkeeper must promptly return or delete all confidential records and provide the Client with full access to its financial data, accounting software files, and any records held on the Client's behalf.
5. TERM AND TERMINATION
5.1 This Agreement commences on [Commencement Date] and continues on an ongoing basis until terminated by either Party in accordance with this clause.
5.2 Either Party may terminate this Agreement by giving [Notice Period] days' written notice to the other Party.
5.3 Either Party may terminate this Agreement immediately by written notice if the other Party: (a) commits a material breach of this Agreement and fails to remedy it within 14 days of written notice; (b) becomes insolvent or unable to pay its debts as they fall due; or (c) in the case of the Bookkeeper, has their TPB registration cancelled or suspended.
5.4 On termination, the Client must pay all outstanding fees for Services performed up to the effective date of termination. The Bookkeeper must transfer all client records, accounting files, and login credentials to the Client or Client's nominee within 7 business days of termination, and must withdraw as BAS agent from the ATO portal.
6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER LAW
6.1 Nothing in this Agreement excludes, restricts, or modifies any consumer guarantee, right, or remedy implied by the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)) or any other legislation that cannot lawfully be excluded.
6.2 To the extent permitted by law, the Bookkeeper's aggregate liability to the Client for all claims arising from or in connection with this Agreement is limited to the total fees paid to the Bookkeeper in the 3-month period preceding the event giving rise to the claim.
6.3 The Bookkeeper is not liable for: (a) errors arising from inaccurate or incomplete information provided by the Client; (b) ATO penalties or interest arising from the Client's failure to provide source documents on time; (c) changes in tax law or ATO rulings that affect the Client's tax position; or (d) consequential or indirect loss including lost profits or business interruption.
6.4 The Bookkeeper maintains professional indemnity insurance as required under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (Cth) and will provide evidence of current insurance upon reasonable request by the Client.
7. GENERAL PROVISIONS
7.1 Independent Contractor: The Bookkeeper is an independent contractor and not an employee, partner, or agent of the Client. The Bookkeeper is responsible for all applicable tax obligations, superannuation contributions under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth), and workers' compensation obligations in respect of the Bookkeeper's own personnel.
7.2 Dispute Resolution: In the event of a dispute, the Parties must attempt to resolve it through good-faith negotiation within 14 days of written notice. If not resolved, either Party may refer the dispute to mediation before the Australian Disputes Centre or a mutually agreed mediator. Complaints about the Bookkeeper's BAS agent conduct may be lodged with the Tax Practitioners Board.
7.3 Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties regarding the provision of bookkeeping services and supersedes all prior representations, discussions, and agreements, whether oral or written.
7.4 Amendments: This Agreement may only be varied by a written instrument signed by both Parties.
7.5 Governing Law: This Agreement is governed by the laws of [Governing State], Australia. Each Party submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of [Governing State] and the Federal Court of Australia.
EXECUTED as an Agreement.
BOOKKEEPER / BAS AGENT
Full name: [Bookkeeper Name]
ABN: [Bookkeeper ABN]
TPB Registration: [TPB Registration]
Address: [Bookkeeper Address], [Bookkeeper Suburb], [Bookkeeper State] [Bookkeeper Postcode]
CLIENT
Full name: [Client Name]
ABN: [Client ABN]
Address: [Client Address], [Client Suburb], [Client State] [Client Postcode]
Bookkeeper / BAS Agent
________________
Signature
Date: ________________
Client
________________
Signature
Date: ________________
What Is a Bookkeeping Agreement (Australia)?
A Bookkeeping Agreement in Australia records the bookkeeping to be provided, the fees, the service standards, and each party's obligations between the provider and the client under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
In Australia, bookkeeping agreements are particularly important because the provision of BAS services is a regulated activity under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (Cth). Only registered BAS agents or tax agents may legally prepare or lodge BAS documents for a fee. A written engagement agreement formalises the relationship, confirms the bookkeeper's TPB registration, and documents the scope of authorised services.
A well-drafted Bookkeeping Agreement protects the bookkeeper by clearly defining the scope of services and the client's obligation to provide complete and accurate source documents. It protects the client by recording what services will be delivered, what records will be maintained, and how confidential financial information will be handled.
The Australia Bookkeeping Agreement (Australia) template is suitable for cloud-based bookkeeping using Xero, MYOB, or QuickBooks; BAS preparation and lodgement; payroll processing; superannuation administration; and management reporting across all Australian states and territories.
The legal framework governing the Bookkeeping Agreement (Australia) in Australia draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulates companies and financial services. Section 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 governs company execution of documents. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) enforces the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) administers the Goods and Services Tax under the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999. The Federal Court of Australia and Supreme Courts of each state have jurisdiction over corporate disputes. Parties executing a Bookkeeping Agreement (Australia) in Australia should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a Bookkeeping Agreement (Australia)?
A Bookkeeping Agreement should be used whenever a business engages an external bookkeeper or BAS agent on a recurring or ongoing basis. Verbal arrangements are difficult to enforce and create uncertainty about the scope of services, fees, and responsibilities when problems arise.
The Australia Bookkeeping Agreement (Australia) agreement is particularly important when: the bookkeeper will be preparing and lodging Business Activity Statements with the ATO on the client's behalf; the bookkeeper will process payroll and superannuation for employees; the bookkeeper will have access to the client's accounting software, bank feeds, and financial data; the engagement is ongoing and involves a retainer fee; and when the client needs clarity about who is responsible for record-keeping obligations and the consequences of providing incomplete information.
For bookkeepers and BAS agents, a signed agreement before commencing work provides protection against non-payment, scope disputes, and liability claims arising from the client's failure to provide accurate records. It also demonstrates compliance with TPB established standards guidance on client engagement.
For clients, a written agreement confirms accountability for deliverables, protects confidential financial information, and confirms the bookkeeper's professional credentials and insurance obligations.
Parties in Australia should prepare a Bookkeeping Agreement (Australia) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Courts interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations. Under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulates companies and financial services. Section 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 governs company execution of documents. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) enforces the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) administers the Goods and Services Tax under the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999. The Federal Court of Australia and Supreme Courts of each state have jurisdiction over corporate disputes. Where the transaction involves regulated activities, prior approval from the relevant authority may be required before execution.
What to Include in Your Bookkeeping Agreement (Australia)
A thorough Australian Bookkeeping Agreement should include the following key elements:
TPB registration details: The bookkeeper's Tax Practitioners Board registration number, confirming they are authorised to provide BAS services under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (Cth).
Scope of services: A precise description of all bookkeeping tasks included — data entry, bank reconciliation, payroll processing, BAS lodgement, management reports — and any services explicitly excluded, such as income tax return preparation or financial auditing.
Accounting software: The cloud platform to be used (Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks) and the access arrangements required to perform the services.
BAS agent services: If BAS lodgement is included, the agreement should specify the BAS frequency (monthly or quarterly), the ATO Online Services for Agents access arrangement, and the client's obligation to provide source documents before each due date.
Fees and GST: The agreed fee structure (monthly retainer or hourly rate), GST treatment, invoicing frequency, and payment terms including late payment consequences.
Client obligations: The client's duty to provide complete and accurate records and to review all BAS lodgements before submission. The bookkeeper's liability is limited for errors arising from the client's inaccurate information.
Record retention: The applicable retention period (generally 5 years under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth)) and responsibility for record storage after termination.
Confidentiality and privacy: Protection of sensitive financial information including employee payroll data and tax file numbers under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
Term and termination: The notice period for termination and obligations to transfer accounting files and withdraw as BAS agent on termination.
Professional indemnity insurance: The bookkeeper's obligation to maintain current professional indemnity insurance as required under TASA.
Governing law: The state or territory whose laws govern the agreement.
Additional compliance elements for a Bookkeeping Agreement (Australia) used in Australia include: Under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulates companies and financial services. Section 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 governs company execution of documents. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) enforces the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) administers the Goods and Services Tax under the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999. The Federal Court of Australia and Supreme Courts of each state have jurisdiction over corporate disputes. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Australia-compliant documentation.
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Forms Legal. (2026). Bookkeeping Agreement (Australia) (Australia) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/australia/business/services/bookkeeping-agreement-australia
"Bookkeeping Agreement (Australia) (Australia)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/australia/business/services/bookkeeping-agreement-australia.
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author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {Bookkeeping Agreement (Australia) (Australia)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/australia/business/services/bookkeeping-agreement-australia}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)}
}Also available for these jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (Cth) (TASA), providing BAS services for a fee or reward requires registration with the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) as a BAS agent or tax agent. BAS services include preparing or lodging Business Activity Statements, Instalment Activity Statements, and dealing with the ATO on behalf of clients in relation to those documents. Providing BAS services without registration is a criminal offence under section 50-5 of TASA, attracting penalties of up to $15,750 for individuals and $78,750 for corporations. Always verify your bookkeeper's TPB registration at the TPB public register at tpb.gov.au before signing an engagement. Under Australia law, Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), parties should seek independent legal advice from a qualified lawyer to confirm compliance with all applicable requirements. Under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulates companies and financial services. Section 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 governs company execution of documents. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Australia-compliant documentation.
Australian record-keeping obligations vary by law and record type. Under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth), records relevant to income tax positions must be kept for 5 years from the end of the income year in which the relevant transaction occurred. Under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), companies must retain financial records for 7 years. GST records under the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth) must be kept for 5 years. Records relating to capital gains tax assets may need to be kept for longer. The ATO recommends keeping records for 5 years as a general minimum. A Bookkeeping Agreement should clearly specify the record retention period and which party is responsible for retention after the engagement ends. Under Australia law, Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), parties should seek independent legal advice from a qualified lawyer to confirm compliance with all applicable requirements. Under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulates companies and financial services. Section 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 governs company execution of documents. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Australia-compliant documentation.
The Code of Professional Conduct under Part 3 of the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (Cth) sets out the ethical and professional obligations of all TPB-registered practitioners, including BAS agents. Key obligations include acting honestly and with integrity, complying with tax laws, acting lawfully in the client's best interests, maintaining professional competence, keeping client information confidential, and not knowingly making false or misleading statements to the ATO. The Code is legally enforceable, and breaches can result in TPB sanctions including suspension or deregistration. Clients who believe their bookkeeper has breached the Code can lodge a complaint with the TPB. A Bookkeeping Agreement should acknowledge the bookkeeper's obligations under the Code. Under Australia law, Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), parties should seek independent legal advice from a qualified lawyer to confirm compliance with all applicable requirements. Under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulates companies and financial services. Section 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 governs company execution of documents. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Australia-compliant documentation.
If a registered BAS agent makes an error in a Business Activity Statement lodgement, the agent bears primary professional responsibility for that error under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (Cth) and the TPB Code. However, the client may still be liable for any resulting ATO tax debt, penalties, or interest depending on the circumstances. The ATO has safe harbour provisions under the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (Cth) that may protect clients from penalties where they relied in good faith on a registered tax or BAS agent and provided all relevant information. BAS agents are required by the TPB to hold professional indemnity insurance to cover client losses arising from errors. A Bookkeeping Agreement should address liability for errors arising from the client's provision of incomplete or inaccurate source documents.
Yes. Bookkeepers who process payroll for clients handle sensitive personal information including employees' names, addresses, bank account details, tax file numbers, and salary data. The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles apply to businesses with annual turnover exceeding $3 million. Tax file number information is specifically regulated under the Privacy (Tax File Number) Rule 2015, which prohibits collection, use, or disclosure of tax file numbers except in limited circumstances. Bookkeepers must use payroll data only for the purpose of performing the agreed services and must not retain employee data after the engagement ends without authorisation. A Bookkeeping Agreement should include appropriate confidentiality and privacy obligations. Under Australia law, Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), parties should seek independent legal advice from a qualified lawyer to confirm compliance with all applicable requirements. Under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulates companies and financial services. Section 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 governs company execution of documents. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Australia-compliant documentation.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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