Setting your freelance rate can feel like a guessing game — especially when you’re just starting out. Charge too much and risk pricing yourself out. Charge too little and you’re working hard for less than you’re worth.
But here’s the truth: your rate is one of your most powerful tools.
It reflects your experience, your confidence, and the value you deliver.
At GigLink, we work with professionals across accounting, IT, legal, and engineering — and rate-setting is one of the most common pain points we hear about.
So, let’s break it down: how do you set your rate like a pro?
1. 🔍 Start With What You Need to Earn
First, forget the idea of “picking a number that feels fair.” Your rate needs to be based on math — not emotion.
Here’s a simple starting formula:
- Decide your target annual income (e.g. $120,000)
- Estimate billable hours per year (consider time off, admin, and marketing)
- Divide to get your base hourly rate
💡 For example:
$120,000 ÷ 1,150 billable hours (about 25 hours/week for 46 weeks) = $104/hour
That’s just to break even — no margin, no taxes, no growth. So round up to factor in:
- Superannuation
- Tax obligations
- Business expenses
- Risk buffer
- Profit!
2. 💼 Choose a Pricing Model That Suits You
You’re not stuck with hourly billing — there are smarter, client-friendly ways to price your services:
- Hourly – great for ad-hoc work or open-ended scopes
- Daily rates – ideal for on-site consulting or full-time freelance roles
- Fixed project fees – perfect for repeatable work with defined outcomes
- Monthly retainers – great for clients needing ongoing support and reporting
👉 Tip: Clients value predictability — offer packaged pricing where possible.
3. 📈 Check What Others Are Charging (and Position Yourself)
You don’t need to guess what others are charging — here’s a rough guide based on what we see at GigLink:
- Bookkeepers – $60–90/hour
- Accountants / BAS Agents – $90–140/hour
- Virtual CFOs – $150–250/hour
- Software Developers / IT Consultants – $100–180/hour
- Commercial Lawyers / Legal Advisors – $120–220/hour
- Engineers (Civil, Mechanical, Structural) – $110–200/hour
🔑 Remember: your experience, niche, and the value you provide will determine where you sit on that scale — or even above it.
4. ⚠️ Avoid These Common Rate Mistakes
It’s easy to trip up when pricing your services. Watch out for these:
- Basing your rate on your last salary
Your salary didn’t include admin, downtime, insurance, or risk — freelancing does. - Undercharging just to land a client
This leads to burnout, resentment, and low perceived value. - Not raising your rates over time
As your skills grow, so should your prices. Don’t stay stuck at your starting rate.
5. 💬 Communicate Value, Not Just Price
Don’t just tell clients what you cost — show them what they get.
Instead of:
"My rate is $120 per hour."
Try:
"I charge $120/hour, which includes setup, reconciliation, BAS lodgement, and monthly reporting. I specialise in Xero for small businesses and NFPs, so we’ll keep things compliant and stress-free."
Confidence and clarity go a long way.
6. 🛠 How GigLink Helps You Set (and Get) the Right Rate
At GigLink, we make it easier to charge what you're worth. You get:
- Access to rate benchmarks and past project pricing
- The ability to list both hourly and fixed pricing on your profile
- Serious clients who understand professional services (no lowball jobs)
- Inbuilt timesheets, invoicing, and payments
- The chance to earn equity through our Freelancer Ownership Model
🚀 Final Thoughts
Setting your rate is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a freelancer. It impacts your income, your mindset, and the kind of clients you attract.
Do your homework, price for value, and back yourself — because if you don’t, no one else will.
👉 Ready to charge what you're worth?
Create your free GigLink profile and start freelancing with confidence.
