How Much Does It Cost to Build an App in Australia?

If you’re planning to launch a custom app, one of your first questions is likely the most practical: how much does it cost to develop a mobile app in Australia?

On average, the cost to build an app in Australia ranges from $30,000 to $300,000 or more, depending on complexity, features, platform preferences, and regulatory needs.

This isn’t just a tech trend—it’s a strategic necessity. With 21.6 million active smartphone users and one of the highest app usage rates globally, Australia has become a mature, mobile-first economy. From fintech and eCommerce to healthcare and logistics, mobile apps are now critical for scaling operations, boosting efficiency, and elevating user experience.

According to Statista, the Australian mobile app development market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.74% from 2022 to 2029, reaching a volume of $12.10 billion by 2029. In parallel, another report suggests that 63% of Australian apps support both iOS and Android, far above the global average of 37%—reflecting a strong user expectation for cross-platform experiences.
So if you’re exploring how to build your app the right way—and understand what impacts the cost to build an app in Australia—you’re in the right place.
In this blog, we will focus on the pressing question, “What is the cost of mobile app development in Australia?” We will also discuss the factors directly impacting mobile app development costs in Australia and offer some pro tips for delivering a budgeted yet high-end mobile application for your business.

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Factors Affecting Mobile App Development Costs in Australia

The world of mobile apps has never been so big, with a growing number of businesses leveraging digital platforms like mobile and web apps to reach their audience. From eCommerce and mobile games to social media, food delivery, and educational tools, there is an app for nearly every need. However, the cost of developing such applications is influenced by several critical factors.

For businesses in the entertainment sector, developing streaming apps like Kayo Sports requires specialized features for live sports broadcasting, which can significantly impact the overall development budget in the Australian market.

Let’s delve into the major elements determining the cost of mobile app development in Australia.

App Complexity & Features

The features and functionalities of an app play a crucial role when calculating the cost to develop a mobile app in Australia. Features such as an AI-driven chatbot, security measures (data encryption, user authentication), push notifications, search & filter, virtual try-ons, third-party integration, etc., all contribute to the app’s success and app development cost. The more intricate and feature-rich the app, the higher the development cost.

Here is a brief table outlining the mobile app development cost breakdown in Australia based on its complexity and features.

Platform Selection

Not sure whether to develop the app for iOS, Android, or both? Well, before you make a decision, keep in mind that your choice of platform also affects the overall cost to make an app in Australia. Developing a cross-platform app is a cost-effective solution for businesses needing presence on both iOS and Android, as it eliminates the need for separate development processes, saving time and resources.

According to Statista, As of March 2024, Android accounted for 53.4% of the smartphone operating system market share in Australia. While Android has been the primary mobile phone operating system, iOS has been steadily gaining ground with over 46.6% of the market share.

UI/UX Design

UI/UX design of an app plays a crucial role in determining the app development cost. High-quality, custom designs with visually appealing graphics, advanced animations, and intuitive interface not only enhance the app’s appeal but also increase the design and development time, leading to higher costs.

For example, dating app development in Australia with swipe features, live chat screens, and personalized user flows needs a lot of design work, making it more expensive. On the other hand, a simple finance tracker with basic screens and charts is quicker to design and costs less.

Also read: How Much Does it Cost to Build a Web App in Australia

Development Team Location

The location and expertise of the development team are key mobile app development cost factors. Hiring mobile app developers in developers in Australia typically results in higher costs due to the country’s high living standards, but it also ensures delivery of high-quality projects without any compromises.

On the other hand, choosing to outsource app development to countries in regions such as Asia, Africa, or India can result in significant cost optimization. This strategic move allows companies to leverage the diverse talent pool and competitive pricing available in these regions while maintaining high standards of development.

Development Team’s Experience & Expertise

The expertise and experience of the app development company also impacts costs. An award-winning IT company with highly skilled developers might cost a little extra than an average development firm. However, the product quality they offer far outweighs the initial development cost. Remember, the selection of the right app development company can significantly influence the project’s timeline, cost, and, of course, the app’s quality.

Tech Stack

The choice of tech stack (programming languages, frameworks, and tools) is a critical component that can directly impact the app development cost and timeline. For instance, using popular frameworks and technologies like React Native or Flutter can offer cost savings by enabling simultaneous development for multiple platforms compared to native development for each platform separately.

You may like reading: Native vs. Hybrid Mobile App Development

Regulatory Compliance

Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA in healthcare, GDPR in data privacy, WCAG in accessibility standards, PCI-DSS in finance, etc., is one of the most integral steps of the app development process. In Australia, compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 is essential, especially for apps that handle sensitive user data.

Adhering to legal and industry regulations requires additional development efforts and time, thus increasing the development cost. Even if adherence to regulatory compliance can potentially increase mobile app development costs in Australia, you must prioritize this component to protect user data and avoid costly issues in the future.

App Type

The app type is probably the most significant factor impacting the mobile app development cost in Australia. For instance, healthcare apps like Health–People need to integrate with medical databases and comply with stringent data privacy regulations, adding to their complexity and expense.

Finance apps require stringent security measures to secure transactions, making them more costly to develop. An eCommerce app like Costco or 6 Street requires intricate features such as product listings and user reviews, which can drive up costs.

Thus, each app type, from social media networks to educational platforms and beyond, has unique requirements that impact the overall cost to develop a mobile app in Australia. Here is a brief table illustrating the estimated cost and timeline for developing different types of mobile apps in Australia

App Maintenance Cost

The total cost to develop a mobile app in Australia also includes the post-launch support and maintenance costs, ensuring long-term success and uninterrupted app performance. Thus, ongoing maintenance for bug fixes, new feature additions, and regular updates should also be taken into account when evaluating the budget for app development. As per industry standards, you should allocate around 10% of your total budget for mobile app maintenance costs in Australia.

Real-World Examples of Some Popular Apps with Their Key Features and Cost Estimation

To help you gain an in-depth understanding of custom app development costs in Australia, below, we will dive into some examples of popular mobile apps across various industries, outlining the key features, average timeline, and cost estimate for app development. Understanding these core elements of industry-wise apps can provide valuable insights for planning your budget for app development.

Finance App like Edfundo

Edfundo, the world’s first financial education app for kids, provides tools for managing allowances, budgeting, and saving. It integrates educational content with practical financial management tools to promote responsible financial behavior in children from an early age.

Estimated Development Cost: $40,000 – $100,000, nearly AUD 61,600 – AUD 154,000

Estimated Timeline: 6 – 9 months

Key Features: Budget creation, expense tracking, financial education content, parental controls, bank account synchronization, savings goals.

eCommerce App like IKEA

IKEA, the world’s largest furniture retailer, offers an immersive shopping experience, allowing users to browse and purchase a wide range of home furnishings and decor items through its app. The application features augmented reality (AR) that enables customers to visualize life-like images of their furniture and home decorations to visualize furniture furnishing items in real spaces.

What’s more? IKEA collaborated with Appinventiv to build an ERP solution that is the first point of contact for every walk-in customer, resulting in expanding the brand’s digital presence.

Estimated Development Cost: $60,000 – $150,000, nearly AUD 92,400 – AUD 231,000

Estimated Timeline: 9 – 12 months

Key Features: Product catalog, personalized shopping list, AR visualization, ERP integration, user accounts, shopping cart, payment gateway, order tracking, reviews, and ratings.

Also Read: ERP integration in Australia – Why it’s essential and how to do it right

Food Delivery App like KFC

KFC, one of the largest fast-food restaurant chains with a worldwide presence in 150+ countries, offers a convenient food ordering and delivery service through its app. The user-friendly application allows users to browse the menu, customize orders, and track deliveries in real-time.

The KFC app development, in collaboration with Appinventiv, resulted in a 22% increase in the conversion rate and an impressive average rating of 4.5 on both the Play Store and App Store. What’s more? The app witnessed more than a 60% increase in repeat purchases, while 50% of total orders now come through the app, indicating its significant role in driving sales and retaining customers.

Estimated Development Cost: $60,000 – $150,000, nearly AUD 92,400 – AUD 231,000

Estimated Timeline: 4 – 6 months

Key Features: Menu browsing, order customization, real-time tracking, payment integration, promotional offers, and customer reviews.

Healthcare App like YouComm

YouComm, a patient communication app, is specifically designed to transform in-hospital patient communication by enabling patients to communicate their needs to healthcare providers easily and get instant medical help. This resulted in a 60% growth in nurses’ real-time response time. What’s more? The app was awarded the CT Bioscience Innovation Fund and an Entrepreneurs Innovations Award in 2019.

Estimated Development Cost: $40,000 – $100,000, nearly AUD 61,600 – AUD 154,000

Estimated Timeline: 6 – 8 months

Key Features: Customizable patient requests, real-time communication, integration with hospital systems, patient profiles, secure messaging, data privacy compliance.

Entertainment App like GullyBeat

GullyBeat is an entertainment app focused on music creation and collaboration. The app gives voice to the budding rappers and music enthusiasts of the streets, allowing users to create, share, and remix music tracks using an intuitive interface.

Estimated Development Cost: $40,000 – $100,000, nearly AUD 61,600 – AUD 154,000

Estimated Timeline: 6 – 8 months

Key Features: Music creation tools, recording and mixing, social sharing, user profiles, collaborative features, sound libraries, community engagement.

Education App like Bada Business

Bada Business is an educational app that provides business education and entrepreneurial training through video content, live sessions, and interactive learning modules. The app aims to empower users with practical knowledge and skills to succeed in the modern business world.

Estimated Development Cost: $40,000 – $100,000, nearly AUD 61,600 – AUD 154,000

Estimated Timeline: 6 – 8 months

Key Features: Video lectures, live training sessions, quizzes, free + premium video library, rewards, social login.

Real Estate Apps like Ility

Ility, a SaaS-based white-label real estate platform meticulously developed by Appinventiv, empowers commercial property owners to manage their multi-property portfolios. This platform revolutionizes the way landlords operate, enabling them to unlock new growth opportunities and pave the path for sustainable success in the dynamic real estate landscape.

Estimated Development Cost: $50,000 – $120,000, nearly AUD 77,000 – AUD 185,000

Estimated Timeline: 7 – 9 months

Key Features: Video tutorials, live mentoring sessions, quizzes, comprehensive library of free and premium content, social login, and advanced search functionalities.

Food Choice App Like FoodSwitch

​FoodSwitch is a game-changing application in the health and wellness landscape, empowering users across multiple countries to make informed dietary choices. Developed by The George Institute for Global Health, FoodSwitch utilizes advanced barcode scanning technology to provide instant, detailed nutritional information on packaged foods.

Estimated cost to build an app like FoodSwitch in Australia: $40,000 to $400,000, nearly AUD 60,000–600,000+
Estimated Timeline: 9 – 12 months
Key Features: The app allows users to meet their specific dietary goals using different switches, such as: FoodSwitch, SaltSwitch, GlutenSwitch, FatSwitch, EnergySwitch, and SugarSwitch

Strategies to Reduce Mobile App Development Costs in Australia

While the development cost for an app in Australia is substantial, luckily, there are proven ways you can follow to keep the cost down. Here are the various strategic approaches and industry best practices to reduce mobile app development costs in Australia.

Define Clear Requirements Early On

Clearly defining the app’s requirements, features, and goals at the beginning of the project can prevent scope creep and reduce unnecessary expenses. By planning in advance, you can build a successful app in time, even on a tight budget!

Cross-Platform Development

Instead of developing separate native apps for iOS and Android, you can opt for cross-platform development. This approach can significantly reduce costs, save time, and conserve resources by allowing you to create a single app that works seamlessly on multiple platforms.

Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

Before investing in a fully functional and feature-rich application, you can focus on developing the core functionalities first and consider adding advanced features in future updates. This MVP approach allows you to launch the app sooner, iterate it based on user feedback, raise funding, and reduce development costs.

Agile Development Practices

Adopting agile development methodologies, with their iterative and incremental approach, can help manage development more efficiently. Regular updates, feedback loops, and flexible adjustments keep the project on track and reduce the need for costly rework.

Outsource App Development

Choosing from the best mobile app development companies in Brisbane, Australia is an integral element, influencing budget, timeline, and even product quality. Instead of hiring freelancers or employing a temporary in-house team, you can outsource a dedicated development team, which offers high-quality app development at optimized prices.

Related Article: How to Outsource App Development in 2024

Apply for R&D Tax Incentive

Applying for the R&D Tax Incentive in Australia can further mitigate the costs associated with innovative app development. This incentive provides financial rebates for expenditures on research and development, enabling your business to invest more ambitiously in cutting-edge technologies and novel features without financial strain.

How to Build an App in Australia?

App development is a complex process that involves multifaceted stages, including project planning, designing, feature integration, development, testing, quality assurance, deployment, and ongoing app maintenance.

Each step must be carefully executed to ensure the seamless completion of your project, transforming your vision into a successful and functional app.

Refer to our comprehensive guide on mobile app development for more detailed insights into the app development process.

Ready to Build Your App in Australia the Right Way?

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How Do Mobile Apps Make Money?

There are many monetization strategies to generate revenue through mobile apps. Here are some of the most common methods you can use to monetize your app in Australia.

In-App Advertising

Worried about how to generate revenue via your free mobile apps? Bother not! You can use in-app advertisements like banners, interstitials, videos, and native ads.

For instance, gaming and social media apps like TikTok often use in-app advertising methods to monetize their user base.

Subscription Model

In this monetization model, users pay a recurring fee to access the app’s content or services. You can offer subscription plans on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis.

For instance, many video streaming platforms like Spotify and Netflix work on the principles of the subscription model.

Freemium Model

In this model, users can download the app for free and even access basic features at no cost, but they need to pay a price to enjoy premium services.

For instance, apps like LinkedIn and Evernote provide basic functionalities for free but charge a substantial amount for advanced features.

In-App Purchases

Some apps offer additional content, features, or virtual goods for purchase within the app itself. These purchases allow users to access exclusive content.

For instance, gaming app apps like Clash of Clans, Candy Crush, and Pokemon GO thrive on in-app purchases for virtual items and character enhancements, driving significant revenue.

Understanding ISO Certifications, Compliance Standards & Data Security Protocols in Australia

If you know how to make an app and earn money through it, there’s one thing you must understand to maximize ROI—compliance and data security aren’t optional, they’re foundational. In the Australian digital landscape, meeting the right standards not only protects your users but also ensures your app can scale without legal or operational setbacks.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key certifications and security protocols you need to know:

Appinventiv – Your Tech Partner in Achieving App Excellence

Mobile applications have become the new norm of the modern business world, redefining the way you connect with your target audience and bring value to your business. Built with the transformative power of cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence, ML, IoT, Blockchain, AR/VR, etc., these apps deliver safe and personalized shopping experiences to all-genre users.

Based on the endless features and benefits these apps offer to businesses and users alike, the budget for app development seems a little expensive, particularly for startups. However, that is just the initial investment; the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial mobile app development costs in Australia.

What’s more exciting? You can get optimized costs and quality expertise by partnering with a fast tech app development company with prior experience in delivering innovative and advanced apps for several big brands across industries. This is where we come in — a well-established software and mobile app development company in Australia with a proven track record of delivering 3000+ successful projects for businesses worldwide.

Our team of 1500+ tech evangelists has helped many emerging startups and established enterprises expand their digital presence by bringing their app ideas to life. No matter if you want to build a next-gen mobile app or just wish to get a precise app development cost calculator, we are here to help.

Get in touch with us and take your business to greater heights.

FAQs

Q. How much does it cost to develop an app in Australia?

A. While there is no predefined formula to answer how much it costs to build an app, here are the approximate costs based on the app’s complexity.

• Simple apps: $25,000- $100,000
• Medium complex app: $100,000-$150,000
• Highly complex app: $150,000- $300,000 and above

Discuss your project idea with our efficient app developers and get a detailed quotation on mobile app development costs in Australia, expected timeline, and other critical elements.

Q. How long does it take to build an app in Australia?

A. The time it takes to build an app in Australia varies based on several factors, including the app types, project complexity, features, tech stack, the expertise of the app development company, and so on.

On average, a mobile app development timeline ranges between 3 months to a year or more, depending on your unique project requirements. Connect with our efficient app developers to get a more precise estimate of the app development timeline.

Q. What are the business benefits of mobile app development in Australia?

A. Mobile app development in Australia offers several key benefits:

• Expanded Market Reach: With a high smartphone penetration rate, mobile apps allow businesses to reach their target audience more effectively nationwide.
• Enhanced Customer Engagement: Mobile apps provide a direct communication channel with interactive features like push notifications, chatbots, personalized content, etc., leading to higher engagement and customer loyalty.
• Revenue Generation: Businesses can leverage mobile apps to generate more income and maximize revenue through in-app purchases, subscriptions, and targeted advertising.
• Competitive Advantage: Australian businesses can embrace digital innovation and gain competitive advantages by meeting evolving user needs and standing out in the market.
• Improved Customer Service: Mobile applications enable real-time customer support and feedback mechanisms, enhancing customer satisfaction and retention.

Q. How much does it cost to develop a secure healthcare or fintech mobile app in Australia?

A. The cost of building a secure healthcare or fintech app in Australia generally ranges from $50,000 to $140,000, depending on the app’s complexity and security requirements. These apps handle sensitive data like medical records or financial transactions, so they need strong privacy protections and secure backend systems.

For healthcare apps, compliance with regulations like HIPAA or the Australian Privacy Act is essential, while fintech apps must follow strict financial and data security rules like PCI-DSS. The extra work required to meet these standards—such as encryption, user authentication, and third-party integration—adds to the total development cost.

Q. Are Australian mobile app agencies compliant with ISO or SOC2 for enterprise builds?

A. Yes, most established Australian app development agencies follow global standards such as ISO 27001 or SOC 2, especially when building apps for enterprise clients in healthcare, finance, or government sectors. These certifications show that the agency has strong processes for data security, risk management, and privacy.

So, if your business requires enterprise-level data protection, look for agencies that are not just technically skilled but also certified in these international standards. This ensures your app will be built with top-notch security and compliance from day one.

Q. What’s the pricing model for app maintenance & SLAs post-deployment in Australia?

A. Once your app is launched, you’ll need regular updates, bug fixes, and server support to keep everything running smoothly. Most app agencies in Australia offer flexible maintenance plans, either on a monthly retainer or pay-per-use model.
Typically, you should budget around 10–20% of your app’s development cost annually for maintenance. This covers things like feature updates, app store compliance, security patches, and performance improvements. A well-defined SLA (Service Level Agreement) also ensures that you get fast support and guaranteed uptime when you need it most.

Q. How much does it cost to build a cross-platform app versus a native one in Australia?

A. Cross-platform app development is usually more budget-friendly than building separate native apps for iOS and Android. On average, a cross-platform app in Australia can cost around $40,000 to $120,000, depending on the features and user experience you want.
On the other hand, if you choose to build native apps for both platforms, the cost almost doubles because the development process happens separately for each operating system. Cross-platform tools like Flutter or React Native help you save both time and money while still delivering a solid user experience.