Best Accounting Software for Real Estate Agents Australia 2026
Last updated: March 2026 · Prices verified from official AU vendor sites · Affiliate disclosure
The best accounting software for real estate agents and property managers in Australia is Xero. It integrates directly with every major property management platform - PropertyMe, Console Cloud, REST Professional, MRI Software - and handles the GST, commission tracking, and payroll that real estate businesses need. MYOB is a viable alternative for larger agencies or where the team is already set up on it.
Best accounting software for real estate Australia - comparison (2026)
| Software | Price/mo | PropertyMe | Console | REST | Trust accounting | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xero | From $37 | ✓ Native | ✓ Native | ✓ Native | Via integration | Most agencies |
| MYOB | From $31.82 | ✓ Native | ✓ Native | ✓ Limited | Via integration | Larger agencies |
| QuickBooks | From $32.72 | Limited | Limited | ✗ | Via integration | Not recommended |
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Try the calculator →Real estate accounting - what you actually need
Real estate businesses have some specific requirements. GST on commissions and management fees must be tracked correctly for BAS. Commission splits across multiple agents - including principal splits and referral fees - need clear income categorisation. Vendor-paid advertising needs to be tracked separately and disbursed correctly. Payroll for agents on base-plus-commission structures, including super on commission payments, needs to work properly. And for property managers, trust accounting is a legal requirement under state legislation - though that's handled by dedicated platforms rather than Xero or MYOB directly (more on that below).
Xero - best for most real estate agencies
Xero is the most widely used accounting platform in Australian real estate. The main reason: its integrations with property management software are the most polished and broadly supported in the industry. PropertyMe, Console Cloud, and REST Professional all have well-maintained Xero integrations. Most real estate-specialist accountants and bookkeepers in Australia also work primarily in Xero - which matters for collaboration and fees.
Key Xero integrations for real estate
| Platform | What it does | Xero integration |
|---|---|---|
| PropertyMe | Property management, trust accounting, inspections | ✓ Native, two-way sync |
| Console Cloud | Property management, trust accounting | ✓ Native, two-way sync |
| REST Professional | Trust accounting, property management | ✓ Native integration |
| MRI Software | Commercial and residential property | ✓ Via API |
| Rex CRM | Real estate CRM, sales pipeline | ✓ Native |
| Agency Central | CRM, sales tracking for agents | ✓ Native |
| Eagle Software | Property management and CRM | ✓ Integration available |
Xero pricing for real estate agencies (2026)
| Plan | Price/mo | Payroll for | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ignite | $37 | 1 person | Solo agent or buyer's advocate |
| Grow | $78 | 2 people | Small agency (1-2 staff) |
| Comprehensive | $107 | 5 people | Small-to-medium agency (3-5 staff) |
| Ultimate 10 | $143 | 10 people | Medium agency (6-10 staff) |
To pay more agents than your plan includes you move up a Xero tier; there is no per-agent seat price. All prices GST-exclusive.
Why real estate agents prefer Xero: PropertyMe and Console integrations are best-in-class; commission tracking works well across Xero's income accounts; GST on commissions and management fees is tracked automatically; most real estate-specialist accountants work in Xero; and 24/7 support means help is available at end-of-month and end-of-quarter when things get hectic.
MYOB - best for larger agencies
MYOB is a credible choice for real estate agencies, particularly larger operations. It integrates with PropertyMe and Console Cloud and handles payroll well. Its prices here are ex GST, to match Xero. Choose MYOB over Xero for real estate if: you have 20 or more employees, the point where AccountRight Plus at $150 flat with unlimited payroll overtakes MYOB Business Pro; you need more powerful management reporting by agent, office, or category; or you're already on MYOB and the switching cost isn't worth it.
MYOB pricing for real estate agencies (2026)
| Plan | Price/mo | Payroll | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lite | $31.82 | +$4.55/emp (max 2) | Solo agent |
| Pro | $63.64 | +$4.55/emp unlimited | Small agency |
| AccountRight Plus | $150 | Included unlimited | Larger agency, complex needs |
Trust accounting software - what you need alongside your accounting platform
If you manage rental properties, you need dedicated trust accounting software in addition to Xero or MYOB. This is a legal requirement under state real estate legislation across Australia. Xero and MYOB are not trust accounting platforms - they handle the agency's own accounting (commissions, expenses, payroll, BAS). Trust funds held on behalf of landlords and tenants are managed in dedicated platforms which then push financial data across to your accounting software.
| Platform | Best for | Xero integration | MYOB integration |
|---|---|---|---|
| PropertyMe | Most property managers - modern UI, cloud-native | ✓ Excellent | ✓ Good |
| Console Cloud | Mid-to-large agencies, strong reporting | ✓ Excellent | ✓ Good |
| REST Professional | Established agencies, large portfolios | ✓ Good | ✓ Limited |
| PropertyTree | Property managers wanting an all-in-one cloud platform | ✓ Good | ✓ Good |
The standard setup for Australian property managers: PropertyMe or Console Cloud for trust accounting, exporting to Xero for general accounting, BAS, payroll, and tax.
Our recommendation by agency type
| Agency type | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Solo agent / buyer's advocate | Xero Ignite ($37) | Handles GST on commissions, easy BAS, cheapest full solution |
| Small sales agency (2-5 agents) | Xero Grow or Comprehensive | Best integrations with Rex CRM and Agency Central |
| Property management (any size) | Xero + PropertyMe or Console Cloud | Best integration quality between PM and accounting |
| Mixed sales and PM agency | Xero Comprehensive ($107) | Handles both sides cleanly, multi-currency if needed |
| Large agency (10+ staff) | Xero Ultimate 10 or MYOB AccountRight | Compare total cost at your headcount. MYOB is cheaper than Xero at every headcount, and AccountRight Plus overtakes Business Pro from 20 people |
| Commercial property | Xero or MYOB AccountRight | Both handle commercial leases; MYOB has stronger reporting for large portfolios |
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Try the cost calculator →Common questions
Does Xero handle trust accounting for property managers?
No - Xero is not trust accounting software and should not be used to manage trust funds directly. Trust accounting in Australian real estate is handled by dedicated platforms (PropertyMe, Console, REST) which are legally required. Xero handles the agency's own general accounting - commissions earned, expenses, payroll, BAS - not the trust funds held on behalf of landlords and tenants.
Is GST charged on real estate commissions?
Yes - real estate commissions and management fees are subject to GST. Both Xero and MYOB handle this correctly when configured properly: commissions are coded as GST-inclusive income, and the GST component is captured automatically for BAS. Your accountant should set up the chart of accounts when you start to ensure correct coding from day one.
Which is better for real estate - Xero or MYOB?
For most agencies, Xero. The property management software integrations are better, Australian real estate accountants predominantly use Xero, and it's easier to use day-to-day. MYOB is cheaper than Xero at every headcount once you pick the right plan, and AccountRight Plus's unlimited payroll overtakes Business Pro from 20 people on the payroll. See our full MYOB vs Xero comparison for the complete picture.
What accounting software do most real estate agencies in Australia use?
Xero is the most widely used accounting platform in Australian real estate agencies, particularly in property management. Most real estate-specialist bookkeepers and accountants work primarily in Xero. MYOB retains a significant share, particularly in established agencies that set up on MYOB years ago and haven't had reason to switch.
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