ATO benchmarks for butchers
Butchers sell fresh meat, poultry and smallgoods over the counter and sometimes to restaurants, and their main costs are carcasses and boxed meat, cool room power, rent and skilled staff.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $65,000 to $450,000 | 2023-24 | 81% | 90% |
| $65,000 to $450,000 | 2022-23 | 84% | 91% |
| $450,001 to $850,000 | 2023-24 | 85% | 91% |
| $450,001 to $850,000 | 2022-23 | 87% | 92% |
| More than $850,000 | 2023-24 | 87% | 93% |
| More than $850,000 | 2022-23 | 89% | 94% |
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.
Cost of sales as a share of turnover
Low and high end of each published range
| Turnover range | Financial year | Low end | High end |
|---|---|---|---|
| $65,000 to $450,000 | 2023-24 | 56% | 66% |
| $65,000 to $450,000 | 2022-23 | 59% | 69% |
| $450,001 to $850,000 | 2023-24 | 60% | 68% |
| $450,001 to $850,000 | 2022-23 | 62% | 70% |
| More than $850,000 | 2023-24 | 61% | 69% |
| More than $850,000 | 2022-23 | 64% | 71% |
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
- Cost of sales covers the carcasses, boxed meat, poultry and smallgoods bought to cut and sell, adjusted for what is hanging or stored in the cool room at the period end.
- Trimmings, bones and meat that spoils are handled the same way in every stock count, so the stock figure reflects only meat that can still be sold.
- Wholesale accounts for restaurants and cafes are invoiced and tracked until paid, separately from counter takings matched against card settlements and cash banked.
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.