How much does it cost to build an app in Australia in 2026?
Updated November 2, 2026 · 2 min read
A simple app with a few screens typically costs about A$15,000–80,000 to build in Australia, and an app with logins, payments and an admin side for your staff about A$40,000–250,000, according to price guides published by Australian software firms in 2026. Then come the app stores: Apple charges US$99 a year to publish and Google US$25 once. Budget another 15–20% of the build cost every year to keep the app working as phones and operating systems change.
What drives the price
| Choice | Cheaper | Dearer |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | A web app that works in the phone’s browser | Native apps for iPhone and Android, each published to its store |
| Who uses it | One type of user | Customers, staff and admins, each with their own screens |
| Data | Information typed into the app | Links to accounting, payments, booking or stock systems |
| Accounts | No login | Logins, password resets and permissions |
| Design | A proven layout | A custom design and animations |
The biggest single decision is the first one. A web app can do most of what small businesses need, such as bookings, orders, quotes and customer portals, and skips the app stores entirely.
What the people cost
An employed software developer in Australia earns a median A$2,537 a week full-time, according to Jobs and Skills Australia, or about A$67 an hour over a 38-hour week. Agencies charge more per hour than that because their rate also covers design, testing, project management, unbilled time and profit. A quote is roughly hours times rate, so ask each quote for the hours behind it.
The app store fees
| Apple App Store | Google Play | |
|---|---|---|
| To publish | US$99 a year | US$25 once |
| On sales and in-app purchases | 15% under the Small Business Program, for developers earning under US$1 million a year | Since 30 September 2026 in Australia: a 10% service fee on the first US$1 million a year and on subscriptions, plus a 5% billing fee when you use Google Play’s billing |
| Before you can publish | Apple’s review | Personal accounts must complete app testing and verify an Android device |
From Apple and Google’s Play Console help on registration and fees. These fees are for digital goods and subscriptions sold in the app; payments for physical products and services, such as bookings, usually go through your own payment provider.
Ways to spend less
- Start with a web app, and build native apps only when you need something only they can do, such as working offline or using the phone’s hardware.
- Build the first version around one job, such as booking or ordering, and add the rest once people use it.
- Use the systems you already pay for for payments, accounting and email, instead of rebuilding them.
- Write down what “done” means for each screen before anyone quotes.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Software and Applications Programmers (2026)
- Apple: App Store Small Business Program
- Google Play Console Help: Registration and Google Play’s lower service fees (2026)
Fees were checked on 2 November 2026 and can change.
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