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How to Become a BAS Agent: Australian Careers in Accounting and Bookkeeping

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What is a BAS Agent?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a BAS Agent?

A BAS Agent is a registered professional who prepares and lodges Business Activity Statements (BAS) on behalf of clients. They help businesses meet their tax duties under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009. The Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) regulates all BAS Agents in Australia. You must register before you can charge a fee for BAS services.

BAS Agents handle a range of tasks each day. They prepare and submit BAS returns on behalf of clients. They also talk to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and keep client records up to date. They help clients understand GST, PAYG withholding, and other tax duties.

This career suits people who enjoy working with numbers and helping small businesses. Many BAS Agents work as sole traders or in small bookkeeping firms. They often build strong, long-term ties with clients across many industries.

To become a BAS Agent, you need a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping (FNS40222) or higher. You also need a Board-approved GST/BAS course and at least 1,400 hours of relevant work experience. Once registered with the TPB, you can provide BAS services for a fee and grow your own practice.

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Career snapshots For BAS Agents

BAS Agents are part of Australia’s bookkeeping workforce, which employs around 90,100 people nationally (Your Career, 2025). Employment demand is rated as stable, meaning the sector is not set to shrink. About 89% of bookkeepers are women, and the median age is 52 years. Around 40% work full-time; the rest work part-time or are self-employed.

Average weekly earnings for bookkeepers are $1,501 (Your Career, 2025). This is roughly $78,000 a year. Experienced BAS Agents can earn between $78,000 and $98,000 a year (ScaleSuite, 2026). Entry-level BAS Agents typically start between $55,000 and $62,000 a year.

The role is flexible and suits a wide range of working styles. Many BAS Agents work from home, serve clients remotely, and set their own hours. Cloud accounting software makes it easy to work on your own. Small business demand drives ongoing need for registered BAS Agents across all parts of the economy.

What will I do?

A BAS Agent prepares and lodges Business Activity Statements on behalf of business clients. This core task needs accuracy and a good grasp of tax law. BAS Agents must be registered with the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) to do this work for a fee.

  • Preparing, lodging, viewing and printing business activity statements on behalf of clients
  • Updating clients’ registration details with the ATO
  • Reviewing client account information to check for errors or discrepancies
  • Making payment plans and printing payment slips on behalf of clients
  • Communicating with the Australian Taxation Office on behalf of clients

What skills do I need?

A BAS Agent needs a solid mix of technical and people skills to do the job well. The core technical skills are a strong grasp of GST, PAYG withholding, and BAS lodgment rules. Skills in accounting software such as Xero, MYOB, or QuickBooks are also key, as most clients use these tools.

Beyond the numbers, communication skills matter a great deal. BAS Agents explain tax rules to clients in plain language and liaise with the ATO on their behalf. Strong time management is needed to handle multiple client deadlines at once. Keeping up with tax law changes through ongoing professional development is also a key part of the role.

Skills/attributes

  • Strong knowledge of GST, PAYG withholding, and BAS lodgment rules
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in financial reporting
  • Clear written and verbal communication with clients and the ATO
  • Proficiency in accounting software such as Xero, MYOB, or QuickBooks
  • Ability to read and check financial data
  • Time management to meet lodgment deadlines
  • Problem-solving to resolve client tax issues
  • Organisational skills to manage multiple client accounts
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Commitment to ongoing professional development and TPB compliance

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About the author

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.