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🛍️ Buying guide · updated 14 Nov 2026

Shopify in Australia: plans, real fees and setup guide (2026)

What you'll actually pay, which plan to pick and the Aussie-specific setup steps.

Start Shopify ($1/month for 3 months) →Calculate my true cost

The three costs

  1. Your plan: Basic $56/month or $42 billed yearly.
  2. Card fees: from 1.7% + 30c per online order on Basic with Shopify Payments.
  3. Apps and themes: optional, and many stores launch without paid apps.

Aussie setup checklist

  • Add your ABN in billing settings so you're not charged GST on the subscription (if GST-registered).
  • Turn on Shopify Payments to avoid the third-party gateway fee.
  • Set up GST on your products if you're registered.
  • Publish refund and shipping policies that match the Australian Consumer Law.

Shopify or WooCommerce?

Shopify is hosted and maintained for you. WooCommerce is a free WordPress plugin, but you need hosting (see our hosting guide) and you handle updates and security yourself.

The comparison table

PlanMonthly / yearly billingOnline card rate3rd-party gateway feeBest for
Basic$56 / $421.7% + 30c2%Most new and small stores
Grow$149 / $1141.55% + 30c1%Growing stores, more staff
Advanced$575 / $4311.35% + 30c0.6%High-volume stores
WooCommerce (alternative)Free plugin + your hostingWooPayments 1.75% + 30cNonePeople who want WordPress control
Shopify AU prices and Shopify Payments standard domestic card rates as published (Shopify, Shakewell, Wow Digital, Oct 2026). Shopify's payments page showed slightly different rates on one page, so confirm at signup. WooCommerce is shown for comparison and is not an affiliate link.

Pros and cons

Shopify

👍 What we like

  • Hosting, security and updates handled for you
  • Capterra AU 4.5/5 (6,764 reviews)
  • Built-in payments with Australian rates

👎 Watch out for

  • Fees scale with sales
  • Paid apps can add up
  • You can export your data, but not your theme or apps, if you leave

WooCommerce (for comparison)

👍 What we like

  • Free plugin and full control
  • No platform transaction fee
  • Full WordPress content tools

👎 Watch out for

  • You handle hosting, updates and security
  • Paid extensions vary
  • More technical

Ready to compare?

Best for growing teams

Shopify Grow

$114 /mo yearly ($149 monthly)
  • Online card rate from 1.55% + 30c
  • More staff accounts
  • Pays for itself on fees only at high volume (around $48k/month online, per Shakewell)
Choose Grow →
Best for high volume

Shopify Advanced

$431 /mo yearly ($575 monthly)
  • Online card rate from 1.35% + 30c
  • Advanced reporting
  • Lowest third-party gateway fee (0.6%)
Choose Advanced →

Sources

  1. Shopify AU pricing
  2. Shakewell: Shopify pricing Australia 2026
  3. PSOS: Shopify pricing Australia
  4. Wow Digital: Shopify vs WooCommerce Australia
  5. Capterra AU: Shopify