Last updated: · Reviewed by Ketki Tidke, GRC Lead Auditor at CyberSapiens
Disclosure: PhishCare is a product developed by CyberSapiens, and CyberSapiens appears in this list. We have explained our evaluation criteria below so you can judge every provider, including CyberSapiens, on the same basis. Information about other firms comes from their own public websites as of October 2026.
Quick answer
The top SOC 2 providers for Australian companies in 2026 are CyberSapiens, A-LIGN, RSM Australia, Deloitte Australia and BDO Australia. They fall into two groups: readiness consultants, who prepare you for the audit, and audit firms, which independently test your controls and issue the SOC 2 report.
Most Australian SaaS companies need one of each, because the firm that builds your controls should not also be the firm that audits them.
How we evaluated SOC 2 providers in Australia
We looked at what an Australian SaaS CEO or CTO actually needs from a SOC 2 partner. Each provider was assessed on six criteria:
- Role clarity: whether the firm offers readiness, the audit itself, or both, and how it keeps them independent.
- SOC 2 coverage: Type 1, Type 2 and related reports such as SOC 1 (ASAE 3402) and ASAE 3150.
- Australian presence: local teams, time zones and understanding of Australian regulation.
- Fit by company size: whether the engagement model suits startups, scale-ups or large enterprises.
- Pricing transparency: whether pricing or a fixed-price approach is published.
- Related frameworks: ability to combine SOC 2 with ISO 27001, Essential Eight or APRA CPS 234 work.
We did not accept payment from any firm for inclusion. The order reflects fit for Australian startups and scale-ups that need readiness support; enterprises choosing an audit firm may weigh the criteria differently.
SOC 2 providers in Australia compared
| Provider | Main role | Reports and services | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CyberSapiens | Readiness consultant, with audit through a partner firm | SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 readiness, remediation, ISO 27001, Essential Eight | Australian startups and scale-ups wanting one team and a fixed price |
| A-LIGN | Audit and compliance firm | SOC 2 audits, plus IRAP assessments since its 2026 Australian expansion | SaaS companies selling into the US and Australian government |
| RSM Australia | Audit and advisory firm | SOC 1 (ASAE 3402), SOC 2 Type I and II, SOC 2+, readiness assessments | Mid-market organisations wanting an Australian audit firm |
| Deloitte Australia | Audit and assurance firm | ASAE/ISAE 3402, SOC 2, SOC 3, ASAE 3150 | Large enterprises with complex, multi-report programmes |
| BDO Australia | Audit and assurance firm | SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 3, ASAE 3402, ASAE 3150, CDR and APRA assurance | Regulated mid-market firms, including financial services |
SOC 2 consultant or SOC 2 auditor: what is the difference?
A SOC 2 report can only be issued by a licensed CPA firm performing an attestation under AICPA standards. That firm must stay independent, so it cannot design and run the controls it later tests. A readiness consultant fills that gap: scoping the audit, closing control gaps, writing documentation and preparing evidence.
Readiness consultant
Gap analysis, remediation, policies, evidence preparation and a mock audit. Gets you ready to pass.
Audit firm
Independent testing of your controls and the signed Type 1 or Type 2 report your customers receive.
The AICPA’s SOC 2 examination guidance sets out how these engagements work. Some large firms offer both services, but to different clients or through separate teams, so ask how independence is managed before you sign.
The top 5 SOC 2 consultants and auditors in Australia
1. Readiness consultant
CyberSapiens
CyberSapiens is an Australian cybersecurity and compliance firm, and the company behind PhishCare. It runs SOC 2 programmes from readiness to report, fully remote across Australia. Formal attestation is delivered through its audit partner, Accorp Partners, so the team that prepares you is separate from the firm that audits you.
- Services: readiness and gap analysis, remediation, policies, VAPT, security awareness training, audit coordination
- Published timelines: Type 1 in 6 to 8 weeks; Type 2 typically 9 to 12 months from a standing start
- Published pricing: fixed price from AUD 8,000 for early-stage companies
- Related frameworks: ISO 27001, Essential Eight, APRA CPS 234, PCI DSS
Consider if: you are an Australian startup or scale-up that wants one accountable team and a fixed quote. Less suited if: you need a Big 4 brand name on the report for board or procurement reasons.
2. Audit firm
A-LIGN
A-LIGN is a compliance and audit firm headquartered in Tampa, Florida, widely used by SaaS companies for SOC 2 audits. In September 2026 it entered the Australian market by acquiring AssurePoint, an Australian firm specialising in IRAP assessments against the Information Security Manual.
Consider if: you sell to US enterprises and may also need an IRAP assessment for Australian government work. Keep in mind: its Australian presence is new, so confirm local team capacity for your timeline.
3. Audit and advisory firm
RSM Australia
RSM Australia offers SOC 1 reports under ASAE 3402 and ISAE 3402, SOC 2 Type I and Type II audits, and SOC 2+ reports that add other frameworks. Its engagements can include readiness assessments and guidance on choosing the right report type.
Consider if: you are a mid-market organisation that wants an established Australian audit firm. Keep in mind: confirm how readiness and audit teams are separated if you use RSM for both.
4. Audit and assurance firm
Deloitte Australia
Deloitte Australia’s third party assurance practice issues ASAE and ISAE 3402 reports, SOC 2 and SOC 3 reports, and ASAE 3150 reports on controls at an entity. That breadth suits organisations that need several assurance reports for different audiences.
Consider if: you are a large enterprise with complex systems or customers who expect a Big 4 report. Keep in mind: engagements are typically scoped for larger organisations and budgets.
5. Audit and assurance firm
BDO Australia
BDO Australia provides SOC 1, SOC 2 and SOC 3 reports alongside ASAE 3402 and ASAE 3150 assurance. It also offers Consumer Data Right assurance and APRA prudential compliance audits, including CPS 234.
Consider if: you are a regulated mid-market business, especially in financial services, that needs SOC 2 alongside APRA or CDR assurance. Keep in mind: you will usually need separate readiness support before the audit.
How to choose a SOC 2 provider in Australia
Ask every shortlisted provider these questions before you sign:
- Do you issue the SOC 2 report yourselves, or work with a licensed CPA partner? Which one?
- How do you keep readiness work independent from the audit?
- What observation period do you recommend for Type 2, and will our customers accept it?
- Is your quote fixed, and what exactly is excluded, such as penetration testing or tooling?
- Can you map SOC 2 to ISO 27001 or Essential Eight so evidence is reused?
- Who on your team will actually do the work, and are they based in Australian time zones?
If you also sell to Australian government, check whether buyers want SOC 2, ISO 27001 or an assessment under the ASD’s Infosec Registered Assessors Program (IRAP). They answer different questions, and choosing the wrong one can cost months.
What SOC 2 consultants and auditors cost in Australia
Most audit firms do not publish prices; quotes depend on scope, criteria and company size. As a guide, typical first-year market spend for SOC 2 is USD 20,000 to 50,000 for early-stage startups and USD 60,000 to 150,000 for small to mid-sized SaaS companies. The audit fee is usually only 30 to 40 percent of that total.
| Milestone | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Readiness and gap analysis | 4 to 8 weeks |
| SOC 2 Type 1 report | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Type 2 observation window | 3 to 12 months |
| SOC 2 Type 2 from a standing start | 9 to 12 months |
For requirements, cost drivers and a phase-by-phase plan, read our full guide to SOC 2 compliance in Australia.
Where security awareness training fits in SOC 2
Whichever provider you choose, Type 2 auditors look for evidence that controls ran throughout the observation period. Security awareness is one area where companies often have a single annual session and little else to show. PhishCare’s campaign reports provide an additional documentation boost for organisations working towards SOC 2 Type II, where ongoing security awareness training is recognised as a best practice by auditors. See the format in this phishing simulation sample report.
Not sure which provider fits your company?
Book a free SOC 2 consultation with CyberSapiens. You will get an honest view of whether you need Type 1, Type 2, ISO 27001 or IRAP first, a realistic timeline, and a fixed-price quote within 24 hours.
Summary
- CyberSapiens: readiness consultant with a partner audit firm, fixed pricing, suited to startups and scale-ups.
- A-LIGN: SOC 2 audit firm, newly in Australia with IRAP capability.
- RSM Australia: Australian audit and advisory firm covering SOC 1, SOC 2 and SOC 2+.
- Deloitte Australia: broad assurance reports for large, complex organisations.
- BDO Australia: SOC reporting plus APRA and CDR assurance for regulated businesses.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the best SOC 2 auditors for Australian companies?
Audit firms issuing SOC 2 reports for Australian companies include A-LIGN, RSM Australia, Deloitte Australia and BDO Australia. The best fit depends on your size, budget and whether your customers expect a particular brand on the report.
Can the same firm prepare us for SOC 2 and audit us?
Not for the same controls. Independence rules stop an auditor from testing controls it designed or operates for you. Most companies use a readiness consultant and a separate licensed CPA firm for the audit.
Do we need a SOC 2 consultant, or just compliance software?
Software tracks controls and collects evidence, but it does not design controls or fix gaps. Teams without in-house compliance experience usually save time with a consultant, often alongside software.
How much do SOC 2 consultants cost in Australia?
Typical first-year SOC 2 spend is USD 20,000 to 50,000 for early-stage startups and USD 60,000 to 150,000 for small to mid-sized SaaS companies, including the audit. CyberSapiens publishes fixed prices from AUD 8,000.
Should an Australian company choose SOC 2, ISO 27001 or IRAP?
Choose based on who is asking. US enterprise customers usually want SOC 2, global and Australian enterprises often want ISO 27001, and Australian government cloud work may call for an IRAP assessment.
Content Reviewed By
Ketki specialises in governance, risk and compliance for public, private and government clients across Australia. She leads SOC 2 readiness and ISO 27001 projects at CyberSapiens, with further experience across PCI DSS, NIST CSF, Essential Eight, APRA CPS 234, VPDSS and the ISM. PhishCare is a product developed by CyberSapiens.
View Ketki Tidke’s LinkedIn profileGet SOC 2 ready with a team that answers to you
Talk to CyberSapiens about readiness, remediation and audit coordination, fully remote across Australia, with a fixed-price quote within 24 hours.
CyberSapiens AustraliaLvl 1 206 Lorimer St, Port Melbourne, Australia
sales@phishcare.com · 1300 507 668
