The Price Ranges
SharePoint intranet costs in Australia vary wildly depending on approach:
| Approach | Cost Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| DIY (internal team) | $5,000-$50,000 | 2-6 months |
| Template-based | $20,000-$100,000 | 1-3 months |
| Custom development | $100,000-$500,000+ | 3-12 months |
| Managed service | $5,000-$15,000/month | Ongoing |
What You Actually Need
For most Australian businesses (50-500 people):
Essential Features
- News and announcements
- Document management
- Search functionality
- Mobile access
- Basic branding
Nice to Have
- Employee directory
- Org chart
- Events calendar
- Discussion forums
- Integration with Teams
Overkill (for most)
- Complex workflows
- Custom apps
- Advanced analytics
- AI-powered features
The Realistic Budget
For a 200-person company wanting a professional intranet:
Option 1: DIY with SPFx ($10,000-$30,000) - Internal developer time - SPFx web parts - Standard Microsoft templates - Basic branding
Option 2: Template + Customization ($30,000-$80,000) - Pre-built intranet template - Custom branding - Content migration - Training
Option 3: Full Custom ($100,000-$250,000) - Custom design and development - Complex integrations - Advanced features - Ongoing support
How to Save Money
- Start simple β Launch with basics, iterate
- Use templates β Don't build from scratch
- Leverage existing M365 β You already have SharePoint. For governance pitfalls to avoid, see M365 Governance: 10 Mistakes That Are Costing You.
- Phase the project β Don't try to do everything at once
- Train power users β They'll build most of the content
The Hidden Costs
- Content migration (often underestimated)
- User training
- Ongoing maintenance
- Change management
- Content governance. For ongoing governance best practices, see M365 Governance: 10 Mistakes That Are Costing You.
The Bottom Line
A professional SharePoint intranet for an Australian business typically costs $30,000-$80,000 for implementation plus $2,000-$5,000/month for ongoing support.
Start with what you need, not what you want. You can always add features later.
Related Guides
- M365 Governance: 10 Mistakes That Are Costing You β Don't deploy SharePoint without governance
- MSP vs In-House IT β Compare delivery models for your IT projects
Related Reading
- Direct Contracting vs. MSP: Making the Jump
- Flipping the Script: How to Use an MSP for Your Own Benefit
- How to Choose an MSP: The Due Diligence Checklist
- I Survived: PE Acquired My MSP and Everything Changed
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