Bookkeeping courses
Bookkeeping has one main way in: a certificate that takes under a year, and you can study it while you work. Here's what the course covers, what it leads to and what the jobs pay.
- Quickest way to start
- 6 months
- Certificate IV, full time at TAFE NSW
- TAFE cost from
- $1,980
- subsidised Certificate IV, TAFE NSW
- What the jobs pay
- $72,800 to $83,500
- median pay across 3 jobs
Which course do you need?
It depends on the job you want.
Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
Work as a bookkeeper
Keep a business's records in order: record transactions, reconcile accounts, run payroll and prepare reports for tax time.
JobBookkeeper
Median pay$72,800
- How long it takes
- 6 to 18 months full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $1,980 at TAFE NSW if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $8,450 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online, on campus or on the job
How much it costs at TAFE
If you're eligible for a government-subsidised place, you pay much less than the full fee, and in some states these courses can be free. Here's what each TAFE lists.
| TAFE | State | Certificate IV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidised | Full fee | ||
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $1,980 | $8,450 |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $5,166 | $9,576 |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $5,103 | $9,513 |
| Holmesglen Institute | VIC | $3,906 | $8,827 |
| The Gordon | VIC | $4,896 | $8,465 |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $4,890 | $6,970 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Certificate IV
- $1,980 subsidised
- $8,450 full fee
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Certificate IV
- $5,166 subsidised
- $9,576 full fee
GOTAFEVIC
- Certificate IV
- $5,103 subsidised
- $9,513 full fee
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
- Certificate IV
- $3,906 subsidised
- $8,827 full fee
The GordonVIC
- Certificate IV
- $4,896 subsidised
- $8,465 full fee
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Certificate IV
- $4,890 subsidised
- $6,970 full fee
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, checked 20 September 2026. “Not listed” means the TAFE doesn't show that fee online. Private colleges set their own fees.
Jobs you can do with this study
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.
Accounts OfficerWhat you needCertificate IVMedian pay$75,000- BookkeeperWhat you needCertificate IVMedian pay$72,800
Payroll OfficerWhat you needCertificate IVMedian pay$83,500
“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.
Still not sure which one fits you?
Answer a few quick questions about your time, state and budget, and we'll show the courses that suit you.