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Bookkeeper

ANZSCO 551211

A Bookkeeper manages financial records, tracks transactions, prepares reports, and reconciles statements, ensuring accuracy and detail.

  • This role has a low level of AI exposure. Core skills such as adaptability, social intelligence, and complex physical tasks remain beyond the capabilities of current AI.
AI exposure data adapted from Felten, Raj & Seamans (2021). Shortage data sourced from Jobs and Skills Australia (2024).

How do I become a bookkeeper

Get qualified to work as a bookkeeper with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.

Common questions

In Australia, a full time Bookkeeper generally earns $1,400 per week ($72,800 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.

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The number of people working as a Bookkeeper has dropped slightly over the last five years. There are now 100,200 people in this job role in Australia compared to 107,000 previously. Bookkeepers may find work across all regions of Australia.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights

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If you’re planning a career as a Bookkeeper you could think about enrolling in a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping. This course will explore practical skills like processing financial transactions, administering accounts and ledgers and preparing financial reports. You could also consider a Certificate IV in Accounting or a Diploma of Accounting.

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Further reading

What can you do with a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping?

18th August 2020

What can you do with a Diploma of Accounting?

29th September 2021

Career Spotlight: Accounting and Taxation Professionals

9th October 2019

Bookkeeper careers

A Bookkeeper maintains the financial records of a business or organisation. You’ll keep track of all transactions including income as well as expenditure. Bookkeepers need to be able to provide financial information on the business when required and may have to prepare a detailed report. You’ll maintain files and records including both paperwork and electronic financial systems. Bookkeepers may have to oversee various payments and reconcile bank statements.

A Bookkeeper needs to have a strong understanding of their company’s financial procedures and should be able to work with a range of software systems to prepare and retrieve financial information. It’s important that you can work as part of a larger team and you’ll need to be able to work with people at all levels of your organisation. Bookkeepers should be organised and have excellent attention to detail.