Bookkeeping Perth | Bookkeeping Services Perth | Bookkeepers PerthBookkeeping Perth | Bookkeeping Services Perth | Bookkeepers Perth
As your business grows, your accounting needs may change along with it. A rise in business activity increases the need for faster payroll management, invoice generation and a larger database to store financial records. Due to the evolving needs of businesses, you might think of migrating from MYOB to Xero. But this migration requires careful preparation. A simple transition may take one or two weeks when the accounts are updated. For complex workbooks, MYOB to Xero migration can take longer.
This guide covers which records transfer to Xero, the available conversion methods, expected costs and the appropriate time to switch. It also provides a checklist that helps you prepare your accounts and plan each stage, including considerations for businesses using Xero bookkeeping in Perth.
Perth businesses switch from MYOB to Xero to make everyday accounting easier for owners, bookkeepers and accountants. Xero provides shared online access to financial records, which allows authorised users to view the same information without exchanging separate files. It also offers bank feeds that import transactions from the supported financial institutions to simplify reconciliation.
Alongside the core features, MYOB to Xero migration in Australia allows businesses to connect third-party apps for invoicing, expense tracking, and inventory management. Its subscription plans offer monthly billing options with different tiers. The overall cost of the Xero subscription may include additional apps and bookkeeping fees.
Xero is suitable for many businesses, yet MYOB may still prove more useful for certain businesses that depend on some of its features. The following are some cases when MYOB may suit businesses:
A MYOB to Xero migration can transfer much of your core accounting data, but some information needs manual setup or additional checks. The exact result depends on your MYOB version and conversion method. Below is a snapshot of which data or features can be transferred from MYOB to Xero:
| Data or feature | Transfer status | What you need to check |
| Contacts and chart of accounts | Generally transfers | Review contact details, account codes and classifications |
| Invoices, bills and balances | Supported, depending on conversion scope | Reconcile outstanding amounts and opening balances |
| Fixed assets and inventory | Basic data may transfer | Verify asset values, stock quantities and inventory balances |
| MYOB jobs | May not transfer as a direct equivalent | Check the conversion report, then rebuild suitable tracking categories in Xero |
| Custom reports | May not transfer | Recreate the reports you still need |
| Connected apps and bank feeds | Do not transfer automatically | Reconnect compatible apps and set up bank feeds in Xero |
A standard MYOB to Xero conversion includes two years of transaction history: the current year and the previous year. Additional history beyond that can be obtained through paid packages, depending on the specific conversion package and source file used. Before purchasing any package, ask your accountant about what historical information is needed for ATO compliance.
Selecting the right MYOB to Xero migration services depends on your budget, accounting knowledge and file complexity. Compare these three options before deciding on any option:
| Ways to Migrate | Best for | Cost | Time | Risk |
| DIY | Businesses with simple accounts and basic accounting knowledge | Usually the lowest direct cost, excluding subscription fees | Depends on preparation and checking | Errors may go unnoticed without careful reconciliation |
| Jet Convert | Businesses wanting specialist data conversion | Standard package: $0 for eligible conversions; Accelerate: $470 after Xero’s subsidy | Target delivery is up to 3 business days for MYOB desktop files that are under 350MB and 5 for other software types, but timing may fluctuate | Some data may need manual checking or setup |
| Bookkeeper | Businesses with complex payroll, inventory or historical records | Varies by service provider | Depends on file condition and agreed scope | Costs may increase if records need additional clean-up |
When using Jet Convert MYOB to Xero solutions, eligible standard conversions receive a $250 Xero subsidy. Confirm timing and package inclusions before proceeding. A bookkeeper can also help reconcile balances and check the converted records.
A well-planned MYOB to Xero migration ensures that your accounting data is migrated in stages, and that your reporting remains organised during the process. Here are eight steps to ensure your file is ready and your new system is set up:
As you migrate from MYOB to Xero, pick a plan that meets your invoicing, user access, and payroll requirements. Check the monthly cost and applications your business will need.
Choose the beginning of a month, financial year, or BAS quarter if possible. The cutover date will help you organise your opening balances and reporting.
Reconcile your bank accounts, check outstanding invoices and bills, and make sure your accounting file is current. Make a copy of your MYOB file before you convert MYOB to Xero.
Pick between DIY, Jet Convert or bookkeeper services. Get your file ready and follow the chosen method’s instructions.
Check the account names, codes, and tax setup. Create the tracking categories for your reporting dimensions.
Check your opening balances, invoices, bills, inventory, and GST figures against your MYOB reports.
Connect your bank accounts and other applications, then make sure your data and transactions are flowing through.
Run both systems for the first full BAS period to reconcile and compare your reports. It gives you time to check whether Xero meets your accounting needs.
Plan your transition from MYOB payroll to Xero around a full pay period to ensure that payroll processing is completed systematically. Before switching, run a parallel pay run to compare wages, tax withholding, leave balances and super contributions. Also check that the Single Touch Payroll (STP) information matches your records at the Australian Taxation Office.
Starting from 1 July 2026, businesses are required to make super payments on a payday basis, where contributions must be credited to the employees’ accounts within 7 business days. This change also means businesses previously using the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House must arrange an alternative, as the service closed on the same date. Review your payroll setup and payroll services before finalising the transition.
Choosing the right conversion date helps to maintain accurate GST records and consistent BAS reporting when moving to Xero. If you make the conversion midway through the quarter, then you may need to consolidate the data from both MYOB and Xero before filing your BAS report.
You can also seek assistance from a BAS agent to confirm the applicable lodgement deadline and coordinate the transition with your reporting schedule.
The overall MYOB to Xero conversion cost depends on your subscription, conversion method and bookkeeper cost. Here is a breakdown of the main expenses:
| Cost Component | Indicative cost (AUD) |
| Xero subscription | From $37/month for the Ignite plan at standard pricing |
| Jet Convert Standard | $0 for eligible conversions into a new Xero platform |
| Jet Convert Accelerate | $470 |
| Bookkeeper migration cost | Quoted based on file complexity |
A smooth MYOB to Xero migration starts with careful preparation. Here are some common mistakes that you should avoid:
Use the following MYOB to Xero checklist to prepare your accounts before switching to Xero:
A well-planned migration can help you move your accounts into Xero and establish a suitable bookkeeping process for ongoing use. A proper migration may include reviewing your MYOB file, checking opening balances and setting up the new accounting workflow. If you are seeking a MYOB to Xero migration Perth specialist, our Xero bookkeeping services can help you establish your accounts for ongoing use. Reach out today to discuss your migration requirements!
1. Can I migrate from MYOB to Xero myself?
Yes, for a simple file; Xero’s partner Jet Convert is the usual free or low-cost route. Complex payroll, inventory, jobs or long history are better handled by a bookkeeper.
2. How long does MYOB to Xero migration take?
Jet Convert does not publish a fixed turnaround (one customer review mentions 3 days); with clean-up and checks, plan roughly 1 to 2 weeks end to end.
3. What data transfers from MYOB to Xero?
Contacts, invoices, bills and the chart of accounts; basic fixed assets and inventory transfer, but verify quantities and values; MYOB jobs need rebuilding as tracking categories (check the conversion report); custom reports stay in MYOB.
4. How much history comes across?
A basic conversion brings two years of transactions; the subsidised package does not extract closed-period transaction data, so confirm what a paid package adds.
5. When is the best time to switch?
Any time works, but the start of a BAS quarter or financial year avoids lodging one BAS from two systems. Xero never rolls over, so all years sit in one place.
6. Do bank feeds and connected apps move across?
No. Disconnect apps such as Dext from MYOB and reconnect them to Xero, then check bank feeds are active.
7. Should I keep my MYOB file afterwards?
Yes, keep a backup and read-only access until one full BAS period is lodged from Xero; general business records must be kept for at least five years.