How much does social media management cost in Australia?

Short answer: in Australia, professional social media management typically costs between $1,000 and $4,000+ per month, depending on how many platforms you're on, how much content is produced, and whether content creation is included. At Toot Social, plans start at $1,490/month.

But the monthly fee is only half the story. Here's how the pricing really works, so you can compare like-for-like.

What you're actually paying for

Social media management isn't "posting a few times a week." A real retainer covers some or all of:

• Strategy — content pillars and a calendar tied to actual business goals
• Content creation — captions, graphics, short-form video and editing
• Scheduling & posting across your platforms
• Community management — replying to comments and DMs
• Reporting — what worked, what didn't, what's next

The more of that you hand over — and the more platforms you run — the higher the fee.

Typical price ranges in Australia (2026)

• $1,000–$1,500/month — entry level. Usually 1–2 platforms, a couple of posts a week, light engagement. Best for businesses that already have content.
• $1,500–$2,500/month — the sweet spot for most small-to-medium businesses. 3 platforms, more posts, custom graphics, active community management and a monthly strategy meeting.
• $2,500–$4,000+/month — full service. Up to 4 platforms, frequent posting, full reels, complete community management and quarterly strategy reviews.

For reference, our Toot Social plans run $1,490 (Starter), $2,190 (Growth) and $2,990 (Full Send) per month — all in AUD, excluding GST.

The hidden costs to ask about

This is where "cheap" agencies get expensive. Before you sign, ask:

1. Is there a set-up fee? Most agencies charge a one-time onboarding/branding fee (ours is $1,200 + GST). Fair — just make sure it's disclosed up front.
2. Is content creation included, or extra? If you don't have a library of photos and video, you'll need a content shoot. Some agencies bundle it; many don't. (More on that in do I need my own content?)
3. How is ad spend charged? Avoid agencies that mark up your ad budget. A fixed management fee based on spend is cleaner.
4. Are you locked in? Long contracts are a red flag. A short minimum term (we use three months, because social genuinely takes 90+ days to work) is reasonable; 12-month lock-ins are not.
5. Extra hours and revisions — what's the hourly rate beyond your plan's scope?

Cheaper isn't cheaper

A $600/month "manager" who posts generic content nobody engages with costs you more than a $2,000/month team that actually grows your audience — because the first one is money spent for zero return.

The real question isn't "what's the cheapest?" It's "what's the return?" Good social media management should pay for itself in saved time, leads and brand awareness.

How to compare quotes fairly

Put quotes side by side and check: number of platforms, posts per week, whether content is included, community management, reporting, contract length, and total cost including set-up and any content shoots. Once it's apples to apples, the "expensive" option is often the better value.

Want pricing with no runaround? Ours is listed publicly — no "request a quote" games.