Self-Publishing in Australia: Costs, ISBNs and Royalties
You can self-publish a book in Australia for the price of an ISBN: A$44 from Thorpe-Bowker, plus a one-off A$55 setup fee. The real cost is the edit, the cover and the formatting. Columbia Publication publishes Australian authors' books from A$2,149, with ISBNs included and registered in your name, and 100% of your royalties kept by you.
- Packages from A$2,149
- ISBNs included, in your name
- 100% of royalties stay yours
- Written quote before you pay
Free consultation. A publishing specialist replies within one business day.
How Much Does It Cost to Self-Publish a Book in Australia?
The only cost the system forces on you is an ISBN, and only if you want to own it. Everything else is a choice about quality: a professional edit, a cover that holds its own on Amazon.com.au, and interior formatting that works in print and on Kindle.
| Item | Typical Australian cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ISBN (Thorpe-Bowker) | A$44 for one, A$88 for ten | Plus a one-off A$55 new publisher fee. Included in every package with us. |
| Listing on Amazon KDP | Free | Your account stays in your name. |
| Editing, cover and formatting | From A$2,149 with us | Depends on length and how much editing the book needs. |
| Legal deposit | One copy | To the National Library of Australia, or the ebook through National edeposit. |
Sources: Thorpe-Bowker myidentifiers.com.au; National Library of Australia. Accessed 19 October 2026.
Why Australian Authors Publish With Columbia Publication
You own everything
Your ISBNs and your Amazon KDP account are in your name. You keep all rights to your book and 100% of your royalties.
A finish that sells
Professional cover design and interior formatting, with two revision rounds on every deliverable.
Sold where Australians buy books
Hardcover, paperback and eBook, distributed to Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books and Barnes and Noble.
A clear quote, in dollars you use
Before you pay, we go through your written quote with you: every deliverable, what each one includes, and your delivery date. The price you approve is the price you pay.
Publishing Packages for Australian Authors, in Australian Dollars
The same packages our US authors buy, set in Australian dollars so you can compare like for like. Every package includes an ISBN registered in your name, two revision rounds per deliverable, and no share of your royalties.
Cover design, interior formatting, hardcover, paperback and eBook, ISBNs in your name and distribution to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple Books and Kobo.
Everything in Global Publish, plus full proofreading and a dedicated project manager.
Full copyedit, Amazon keyword and category work, author website and a press release.
Full editorial review at all three levels, 15 printed author copies and the 3-Day Bestseller Launch Campaign.
Our premium imprint for executives and professionals, with a dedicated senior editor and a full PR and media strategy.
Prices are starting points in Australian dollars. Your written quote confirms the exact amount before you commit. Full package details.
How It Works: From Manuscript to Amazon.com.au
- Free consultation. Share your manuscript, the formats you want and what you want the book to do for you.
- Written quote in Australian dollars. We go through it with you line by line, including your delivery date.
- Editing, cover and formatting. Two revision rounds on every deliverable.
- Launch. Your ISBNs are registered in your name and the book goes live on Amazon.com.au, Kobo, Apple Books and Barnes and Noble.
Where Do Australian Authors Get an ISBN?
In Australia, ISBNs are issued by Thorpe-Bowker through myidentifiers.com.au. Amazon KDP will also give you a free ISBN for a paperback, but that number can only be used on Amazon and the book is listed as independently published. If you want your book in bookshops and libraries, or want to be the publisher of record, buy your own. Ten ISBNs cover your paperback, hardcover and eBook with room for a second edition.
Every package includes ISBNs registered in your name, not ours.
What Royalty Does Amazon.com.au Pay?
KDP pays a 70% royalty on Amazon.com.au ebooks priced between A$3.99 and A$15.99, and 35% outside that band. Price inside it unless you have a reason not to.
Every package also publishes your ebook to Kobo and Apple Books, not to Amazon alone.
Source: KDP eBook list price requirements, accessed 19 October 2026.
Legal Deposit: Your Copy for the National Library
When you self-publish in Australia, you are the publisher, and the National Library of Australia asks for one copy within one month of publication. If your book is also an ebook, depositing it through National edeposit means you do not need to send a print copy of the same book, and it covers most state and territory deposit requirements too.
Source: National Library of Australia, Legal deposit questions and answers, accessed 19 October 2026.
Working With Us From Australia
Your specialist is reachable by email, phone and WhatsApp, and replies within one business day.
Authors in the UK and Canada can see self-publishing in the UK and self-publishing in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to self-publish a book in Australia?
Doing it yourself, the unavoidable cost is an ISBN: Thorpe-Bowker charges A$44 for one or A$88 for ten, plus a one-off A$55 new publisher fee. Editing, cover design and formatting are where most of the budget goes. Columbia Publication's packages for Australian authors start from A$2,149, with ISBNs included.
Where do Australian authors get an ISBN?
From Thorpe-Bowker, the Australian ISBN agency, through its myidentifiers.com.au site. Amazon KDP also offers a free paperback ISBN, but it only works on Amazon.
What royalty does Amazon.com.au pay on ebooks?
70% on ebooks priced between A$3.99 and A$15.99, and 35% outside that band. Columbia Publication takes no share of your royalties.
Do I have to send a copy to the National Library of Australia?
Yes. A self-published author is the publisher and should deposit one copy within one month of publication. Depositing the ebook through National edeposit means you do not need to send a print copy of the same book, and it covers most state and territory requirements.
Do I keep the rights and royalties to my book?
Yes. Your ISBNs and your Amazon KDP account are in your name, you keep all rights to your book, and you keep 100% of your royalties.
How do I work with you from Australia?
Your specialist is reachable by email, phone and WhatsApp, and replies within one business day.
Are prices shown in Australian dollars?
Yes. Prices on this page are in Australian dollars. Before you pay, we go through your written quote with you, and the price you approve is the price you pay.
Written by Gia K.. Facts on ISBNs, royalties and legal deposit come from the sources linked in each section, accessed 19 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so check the source before you rely on them.
