How Much Does SEO Cost in Australia?

Quick answer: SEO will usually cost between $1000 to 2,500 per month for most small businesses in Australia, and can climb to $10,000 or more for larger, highly competitive campaigns run by legitimate providers in 2025.

SEO pricing in Australia has always been a hot topic. Some business owners hear stories of SEO for a few hundred dollars a month. Others are quoted $5,000 or more and wonder if they’re being taken for a ride.

The truth? There’s no flat fee for SEO.

SEO isn’t about buying quick wins, or “guaranteed #1 rankings”. It’s about investing in strategies that drive long-term, sustainable connections with the people who are already searching for what you’re offering.

In this guide, I’ll break down the actual cost of SEO in Australia, talk about what is behind those costs, and give you a guideline for budgeting, so that you don’t overspend or fall for “cheap SEO” that costs more in the long run.

Why SEO Pricing in Australia Varies So Widely

SEO typically makes up a large portion of most small businesses’ marketing budgets. And there are a few simple reasons for that:

It is highly targeted
It offers a high return on investment compared to other digital marketing channels
It is less intrusive than other marketing methods, like social media

But the best part is that it allows businesses to engage with users who are already interested in what they offer. In marketing, this is called the “desire” stage of the marketing funnel, which has the highest chance of converting.

As you can imagine, there’s no flat fee for that kind of service.

If you’ve ever compared quotes from different SEO providers, you’ve probably noticed the huge gap in pricing. One agency might quote $1,500 a month while another suggests $3,000, and both could be “right”.

Why? Because SEO costs aren’t fixed. They depend on the size of your website, how competitive your industry is, and how ambitious your goals are.

In other words, it’s all about positioning, presence, and potential.

How much does SEO actually cost?

In Australia, there are a variety of routes you could take when looking to get your SEO needs fulfilled as a small business. But how do you know you are paying a reasonable price if you have such a wide range of prices to consider?

You can start by understanding how SEO is priced. Most SEO providers follow these pricing models:

Hourly rates: Somewhere between $150 and $250/hr for a consultant or specialist.
Monthly retainers: The most common model, for ongoing work that may cost anywhere from $1,200 to $10,000 or more, depending on size and scope.
Per-project charges: Fixed-scope work for specific services, like audits, migrations, or content sprints. Usually $3,500 to $20,000 or more.

I’m not a fan of rigid SEO rates and packages, though.

Not every website, market, and goal is the same, and it is hardly ever the case that one SEO product or approach will work for all situations. Custom, unique pricing ensures your strategy is relevant and properly fitted to you.

The biggest benefit is flexibility. You are investing in what is actually needed for your business, without spending your budget on unnecessary extras or gimmicks.

That is why the best way of rationalising SEO pricing is to look at averages for business size and type, and consider the factors we just discussed. This gives you a realistic point of view and allows you to see where your investment would fall when compared to other companies similar to yours.

I’ll break it down.

Small and local businesses

Local SEO is usually the cheapest option for SEO. This is simply due to the limited targeting to a specific region, and also the lack of pages that need optimisation. The service is also typically cheaper in regions such as Coffs Harbour, as opposed to more competitive regions with larger competition like Sydney. That makes local SEO more affordable, with typical budgets landing between $1,200 and $2,500 per month.

Medium-sized and multi-location businesses

Once you’re running multiple locations or servicing broader regions, the service will generally be more costly. This is generally due to the fact that there will be more regions available for targeting, which will require more content and authority. Technical SEO will also be important for these larger websites and businesses, so budgets usually sit around $1,500 to $5,000 per month.

E-Commerce businesses

Although E-commerce requires domestic or global targeting, I have included it into its own category. Technical SEO is a lot more important for e-commerce, and requires a lot of time to fix many site issues that become present. Given the endless possibilities and the lucrativeness of e-commerce, SEO will be expensive, with my minimum retainer starting at $2,000 for managed services.

Global or enterprise brands

The most expensive form of SEO. This is due to complexity, unique expertise, and additional time required. This also requires specialised approaches to page structure and technical SEO, which aren’t typically as important for other types of managed SEO services. Retainers for this type of SEO usually start at $10,000 or more.

Pro tip: If you are looking to get a rough estimate of how much SEO should cost, you can use my free SEO cost calculator, which accounts for these factors and is based on my SEO pricing.

Who Should You Trust With Your SEO Strategy?

The other big factor influencing what you’ll pay, and what you’ll get in return, is who actually does the work. In Australia, there are four main routes, each with its pros, cons, and very different price tags.

In-House SEO

Bringing someone in-house can seem appealing, because you get a dedicated person on your team. But the reality is SEO specialists in Australia typically earn $70,000 to $120,000 or more per year.

For most small businesses, that’s not practical. You also risk gaps in expertise, since SEO covers everything from technical fixes to content and link building.

With hundreds of ranking factors at play, the risk is spending time on the wrong things. A skilled in-house hire can deliver, but for many small to mid-sized businesses, it’s simply not cost-effective compared to other options.

SEO agencies

Agencies bring scale. With strategists, writers, technical specialists, and link builders under one roof, you get access to a team rather than one person. That breadth is valuable, but it comes at a price: agencies often charge 2x or more what a consultant would.

The problem is that price tag doesn’t always equal quality.

While a good agency will give you systems, consistency, and the ability to scale campaigns quickly, some of them sometimes outsource parts of their work to cheaper providers, which can dilute results. Others spend heavily on client acquisition, meaning delivery may feel less personalised.

The key is vetting their process and making sure you’ll work directly with the experts.

SEO consultants

Consultants typically charge $100 to $300 per hour, with the sweet spot for experienced professionals, like me, around $200/hr. What you’re paying for here is expertise: someone who knows the levers to pull and can deliver a tailored strategy without the overhead of a big agency.

The positives? Direct access, flexible arrangements, and strategies shaped around your goals. A consultant can often function like an extension of your team. The downsides? They’re usually solo operators, so there may be blind spots in areas outside their speciality, and processes can vary.

Still, for many businesses, consultants strike the best balance between affordability and expertise.

Freelancers

Freelancers sit on the most flexible end of the spectrum. Rates vary widely, and while some undercharge (think $50/hr for basic tasks), quality freelancers can provide affordable, agile support.

They’re ideal for specific projects, like optimising content, fixing technical issues, or helping with local SEO.

The trade-off is consistency and depth. Without the systems of an agency or the authority of a seasoned consultant, output can vary. But for small businesses on tighter budgets, freelancers can be a smart way to get momentum without overcommitting.

Why Can SEO Be So Cheap in Australia?

Any business owner with forms on their website is likely familiar with the flood of spam messages offering “cheap SEO services,” sometimes starting at just $100 a month. So, you might be wondering: Why is this SEO so cheap?

Simply because it doesn’t work.

On one end, there are the scammers that thrive on knowing how confusing it can be for most people to understand SEO, and the length it takes to get results. They build business models on the “churn and burn”.

On the other end, there’s the reality of a low barrier to entry in digital marketing. It is vital to hire an agency, freelancer, or consultant who is up-to-date with changes in SEO. Generally, “cheaper” options tend to cut corners or focus too much on output as opposed to results.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Link building: You can buy thousands of backlinks for a few dollars on platforms like Fiverr. But low-quality, irrelevant links can actually harm your rankings. In SEO, quality always beats quantity.
Technical SEO: Budget providers often skip technical foundations like site structure, speed, and crawlability. It might not seem like, but ignoring these factors limits growth.
Content: With AI tools, content is cheap to produce. But content created solely to manipulate rankings is a Google penalty waiting to happen. A real SEO strategy focuses on quality, originality, and matching user intent.

Another challenge small businesses face is the pressure to push freelancers or agencies into offering more affordable options. While cost-saving may seem appealing, it often leads to a reduced scope of work and slower results.

This can create frustration for businesses, especially when they don’t see immediate returns. As a result, many may prematurely end their SEO services, not giving the strategy enough time to show its full potential.

The Correct Approach To SEO Pricing

Despite the confusion and complexity of SEO, the most important consideration should be the value of the service rather than simply the cost.

Opting for the most expensive provider isn’t always the best choice for small businesses, and similarly, the cheapest option often comes with risks of poor quality or ineffective results. The key to success is understanding what you’re getting for your investment.

At a minimum, look for:

Clear deliverables: From keyword research and on-page optimisation to content strategy, link building, and reporting.

Defined timelines: When audits will be completed, when content will go live, and when results will be measured.
Reporting cadence: Monthly or quarterly updates that show movement in rankings, traffic, and leads.
Transparency: No mystery fees, no vague promises, and no “forever payments” where results vanish once you stop paying.
Alignment with your goals: The proposal should tie activities back to business outcomes, not vanity metrics.

This is where you separate the professionals from the pretenders. Factors like the scope of services, reputation, and experience of the SEO provider are crucial. A provider with a proven track record and the right expertise can deliver far more value, even if they aren’t the priciest option.

How to Budget for SEO in Australia

SEO isn’t an expense you tick off, but it’s an investment that grows over time. For most Australian small and mid-sized businesses, expect to budget $1,200 to $5,000 per month. Larger or national campaigns will naturally push higher, often into the $10,000 or more range.

The real question isn’t “How cheap can I get this done?” but “What’s the ROI if I do it properly?” Cutting corners might save you a few dollars today, but it’ll cost you more in lost opportunities and recovery work tomorrow.

Be smart about where your money goes:

Audit your stack: Stop wasting money on vanity tools or experiments that don’t generate results.
Invest in people and processes: Whether you hire an agency, freelancer, or in-house, they must be clear and accountable always.
Think long-term: SEO is an investment that returns best over time, not overnight.

If you are ready to see what that looks like for your business, request a custom proposal, and let’s design a clear roadmap to help reach your objectives.

SEO Experience Vs Expertise

It’s common to assume that years of SEO experience automatically will mean you will get a high-quality service. However, I’ve seen specialists and agencies fall behind repeatedly, relying on outdated strategies that can harm websites. SEO has evolved to become more complex and competitive, so it’s crucial to choose a specialist who is successful with current ranking tactics, not those from 2010. Asking for recent case studies is essential when selecting an SEO specialist.

SEO Cost FAQs

Why is there such a large range in SEO costs?

There are a few reasons for this. One is that there is no barrier for entry in the SEO industry – this means that there is a range of services, with offshore service providers servicing clients for as little as $100 a month to agencies in Australia built on “churn and burn” models requiring fixed fee contracts. Another reason would be the type of website and targeting you have. Enterprise and global SEO can cost $10,000+ whereas local SEO can cost as little as $1000 a month.

What is the cost per keyword?

Cost per keyword is an outdated SEO model where you pay per keyword which is ranked. The reason this is outdated is that this doesn’t account for topical authority, and also the fact that you can target multiple keywords at once on a single page. Although the keywords targeted will be a factor, you shouldn’t pay per keyword.

Why is Ecommerce SEO more expensive?

Ecommerce SEO is generally more expensive for a few reasons. One reason would be the competition and lucrativeness of the niche. Most Ecommerce businesses will be competing with large brands, and there is generally endless opportunities for targeting and improvement. Ecommerce websites are often larger and run into a large amount of technical issues which require specialised expertise.

Why is local SEO cheaper?

Local SEO is cheaper generally due to the lack of competition compared to domestic or global keywords. Since you are only targeting people searching in a specific region you generally won’t be competing with larger brands. The pricing will change depending on the region. For example when completing local SEO campaigns in the central coast it will be cheaper than when competing in Sydney.

What is flexible SEO pricing?

Flexible seo pricing is offering SEO services with flexibility in pricing. This is how many agencies operate with a minimum retainer amount (usually between $1000-$4000 depending on the agency size) Generally the less you spend the slower/not as strong your results will be. This model works best if you partner with an agency that offers transparency so you can see how the output/results change based on pricing.