ATO benchmarks for alarm installers
Alarm installers earn from fitting and servicing fire and security systems in homes and commercial buildings, while detectors, panels, cabling, vehicles and staff time are their main costs.
General information
Total expenses as a share of turnover
Low and high end of each published range
| Turnover range | Financial year | Low end | High end |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 to $150,000 | 2023-24 | 53% | 71% |
| $50,000 to $150,000 | 2022-23 | 53% | 70% |
| $150,001 to $600,000 | 2023-24 | 59% | 76% |
| $150,001 to $600,000 | 2022-23 | 62% | 77% |
| More than $600,000 | 2023-24 | 76% | 87% |
| More than $600,000 | 2022-23 | 77% | 88% |
Australian Taxation Office, Small Business Benchmarks, key ratios for 2023-24 and 2022-23 (data.gov.au), licensed under CC BY 2.5 AU. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
What sits behind these figures in the books
- Day-to-day expenses centre on detectors, control panels, cabling and other parts used on jobs, along with vehicle running costs, tools, insurance, subcontractors and staff costs.
- Parts drawn from van stock are recorded against the installation or service visit they were used on, so the cost of materials lands in the period the work was done.
- Test equipment, ladders and programming tools bought to keep are recorded apart from running costs, and personal use of work vehicles is kept separate from business use.
Sources
- Small Business Benchmarks, 2023-24 Benchmarks (key ratios)
Australian Taxation Office. 2023-24 financial year, released 16 March 2026. Checked 15 October 2026.
Based on Australian Taxation Office data, Small Business Benchmarks, 2023-24 Benchmarks, licensed under CC BY 2.5 AU Licence: CC BY 2.5 AU.
- Small Business Benchmarks, 2022-23 Benchmarks (key ratios)
Australian Taxation Office. 2022-23 financial year, released 17 March 2025. Checked 15 October 2026.
Based on Australian Taxation Office data, Small Business Benchmarks, 2022-23 Benchmarks, licensed under CC BY 2.5 AU Licence: CC BY 2.5 AU.
Get your books in order
Cost of sales and total expenses are only as reliable as the books behind them. Tell us how your business runs and we will suggest a bookkeeping plan that fits.