Cybersecurity Assessment Costs in Australia: What Businesses Pay

Cybersecurity assessment is a broad term covering everything from a $500 automated vulnerability scan to a $100,000 red team exercise. Knowing what different assessments cost - and what you actually get - helps Australian businesses budget appropriately and avoid paying for more than they need.

Vulnerability assessment

A vulnerability assessment uses automated tools to scan your systems and identify known vulnerabilities. It is fast, relatively inexpensive, and provides a useful baseline view of your exposure. It does not involve manual exploitation or attack simulation.

• Typical cost: $500 to $3,000
• Duration: hours to one or two days
• Deliverable: list of vulnerabilities with severity ratings and remediation advice
• Best for: regular baseline scanning, pre-audit preparation, organisations with limited budgets

Penetration test

A penetration test goes beyond scanning - a qualified tester manually attempts to exploit vulnerabilities and chain weaknesses to simulate a real attack. The findings reflect actual risk, not just theoretical exposure.

• Web application: $3,000 to $8,000
• External network: $3,000 to $8,000
• Internal network: $5,000 to $15,000
• Full scope or red team: $20,000 to $80,000+
• Duration: days to weeks depending on scope
• Best for: organisations handling sensitive data, compliance requirements, annual testing cycles

Security posture review

A security posture review assesses your overall security practices against a framework such as the ASD Essential Eight or NIST CSF. It is broader than a technical test and includes policy, process and governance dimensions. Findings are strategic rather than purely technical.

• Typical cost: $5,000 to $20,000
• Duration: one to two weeks
• Deliverable: maturity assessment, gap analysis, prioritised roadmap
• Best for: organisations wanting a strategic view of their security position, board reporting

ISO 27001 gap assessment

A gap assessment evaluates your current practices against the requirements of ISO 27001 and identifies what needs to be addressed before certification. It is the standard starting point for any organisation pursuing ISO 27001.

• Typical cost: $8,000 to $25,000
• Duration: one to three weeks
• Deliverable: gap report, remediation roadmap, implementation effort estimate

APRA CPS 234 assessment

For APRA-regulated entities, an independent CPS 234 assessment evaluates compliance with the prudential standard's requirements for information security capability, policy framework and control testing. These assessments require qualified, independent assessors and carry significant scope.

• Typical cost: $20,000 to $60,000
• Duration: two to six weeks
• Best for: banks, insurers, superannuation funds, AFS licensees

Factors that affect assessment cost

Across all assessment types, the key cost drivers are:

• Scope - the number of systems, environments or business units included
• Complexity - cloud versus on-premises, number of integrations, geographic spread
• Provider seniority - experienced consultants with relevant certifications cost more
• Remediation support - whether the provider assists with fixing identified issues
• Report detail and post-delivery debrief inclusion

How to budget for security assessments

As a practical starting point, Australian SMBs without specific regulatory requirements should budget for at minimum an annual vulnerability assessment ($1,000 to $3,000) and a penetration test of their most critical assets every one to two years ($5,000 to $15,000 depending on scope). Regulated organisations should factor in the cost of required assessments as a fixed compliance cost.

Find and compare assessment providers on CyberAtlas

CyberAtlas lists verified Australian cybersecurity assessment providers across every service category. Use the directory to find firms matching your assessment type, location and budget, and request comparable quotes.