How Much Does a Shopify Plus Store Actually Cost in Australia?
If you're Googling "Shopify Plus cost Australia," you're probably getting a lot of vague answers. "It depends" is not helpful when you're trying to plan a budget. So here are the real numbers, from someone who's built 200+ Shopify stores over the past decade.
The platform cost (what Shopify charges you)
Shopify Plus starts at $2,500 USD/month (roughly $3,800 AUD). This is the platform fee, not development. It includes:
- Unlimited staff accounts
- Shopify Flow automation
- Checkout customisation (Scripts, Functions)
- Up to 10 expansion stores
- Dedicated support and a merchant success manager
- Shopify Audiences and advanced analytics
When Plus makes sense: Generally when you're doing $1M+ in annual revenue, need checkout customisation, or require B2B/wholesale features. Below that, standard Shopify is usually sufficient.
The development cost (what an agency charges you)
This is where the range gets wide. Here's what Australian Shopify Plus projects actually cost in 2026:
| Project Type | Price Range (AUD) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Theme customisation (existing theme) | $10,000 - $25,000 | 2-4 weeks |
| Custom theme (from scratch) | $25,000 - $60,000 | 6-10 weeks |
| Custom + integrations | $50,000 - $100,000 | 8-12 weeks |
| Enterprise / headless | $100,000 - $250,000+ | 12-20 weeks |
| Platform migration | $30,000 - $80,000 | 6-12 weeks |
What drives the cost up
Custom functionality
Every custom feature adds development time. Product configurators, subscription logic, custom checkout flows, loyalty programs, B2B pricing. These aren't plug-and-play; they require bespoke development.
Integrations
ERP connections (NetSuite, MYOB, Xero), warehouse management (ShipStation, StarShipIT), marketing (Klaviyo, Dotdigital), POS (Lightspeed, Shopify POS). Each integration can add $5,000-$20,000 depending on complexity.
Migration complexity
Migrating from Magento with 50,000 products, custom attributes, and 10 years of SEO equity is fundamentally different from migrating a 200-product WooCommerce store. Data migration, URL redirects, and SEO preservation take real time.
Design requirements
A truly custom design with unique interactions, animations, and brand-specific components costs more than adapting an existing theme. But it also converts better and differentiates you from every other Shopify store.
What drives the cost down
- Clear scope: Knowing exactly what you need before development starts saves 20-30% in iteration costs
- Existing content: Having product photography, copy, and brand guidelines ready
- Standard integrations: Using apps with existing Shopify connectors instead of custom builds
- Phased approach: Launch with core features, add advanced functionality post-launch
Ongoing costs to budget for
| Item | Monthly Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Shopify Plus platform | $3,800+ |
| Apps (Klaviyo, reviews, loyalty, etc.) | $500 - $2,000 |
| Ongoing development retainer | $2,000 - $8,000 |
| Hosting / CDN (if headless) | $100 - $500 |
How to choose an agency
Three things that matter more than price:
- Portfolio fit. Have they built stores similar to yours? Not just any Shopify store. Your type of store, your complexity level.
- Technical depth. Can they handle custom development, or do they rely on apps and templates? Ask about their experience with Shopify Functions, Checkout Extensions, and the Storefront API.
- Communication. Will you work directly with the developers, or go through layers of project managers? The shorter the feedback loop, the better the outcome.
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The bottom line
A serious Shopify Plus build in Australia costs between $25,000 and $150,000 for development, plus $3,800+/month for the platform. Anyone quoting significantly below that range is either cutting corners or doesn't understand the scope.
The brands that get the best ROI from Shopify Plus invest in custom development, clear strategy, and ongoing optimisation. Not the cheapest build they can find.
If you're planning a Shopify Plus project and want an honest conversation about what it'll cost, reach out. We've been doing this for a decade and we'll give you a straight answer.