MYOB to Xero is the most requested accounting migration in Australia and New Zealand, and for good reason — MYOB was built for a desktop world, while Xero was built from the ground up as a cloud platform. If you're considering the switch, this guide walks you through exactly what to expect: what to prepare, how long it takes, what happens to your BAS and GST settings, and how to make sure not a single transaction is lost.

Why Australian Businesses Are Moving from MYOB to Xero

  • MYOB AccountRight still requires desktop software for many functions — Xero is 100% browser-based
  • Xero's live bank feeds and automatic reconciliation save hours per month
  • Xero integrates with 1,000+ apps (Stripe, Shopify, Deputy, ServiceM8, etc.) vs MYOB's more limited ecosystem
  • Xero's BAS lodgement is built-in and connected to the ATO — simpler and faster
  • Xero pricing is often comparable to MYOB, with more included features per tier

What Data Can Be Migrated from MYOB to Xero?

  • Chart of Accounts (with restructuring where needed)
  • Customer and supplier contacts
  • Outstanding invoices and bills (open items)
  • Full transaction history (invoices, bills, payments, journals)
  • Bank account history and reconciliations
  • GST and BAS settings
  • Payroll history (where applicable)
  • Fixed assets (opening balances)

How Long Does MYOB to Xero Migration Take?

For most Australian SMEs, a MYOB to Xero migration takes 5–10 business days. This includes the data audit, test migration, full migration, and reconciliation report. Larger datasets (5+ years of history, multiple company files, payroll history) can take 10–15 business days.

The MYOB to Xero Migration Process

  1. Data export from MYOB and pre-migration audit
  2. Chart of Accounts mapping and clean-up
  3. Test migration with sample data to catch mapping errors
  4. Full data migration to your new Xero organisation
  5. BAS/GST configuration in Xero to match your ATO requirements
  6. Post-migration reconciliation report (MYOB vs Xero balance-by-balance)
  7. Handover, training, and 30 days of post-migration support

BAS and GST in Xero After Migration

This is the part that concerns Australian business owners most. After a correctly executed MYOB to Xero migration, your Xero will be configured for your specific GST registration, BAS lodgement frequency (monthly, quarterly, or annually), and cash vs accrual accounting basis. Your next BAS can be prepared and lodged directly from Xero — either by your accountant, bookkeeper, or the ATO's direct connection.

When Is the Best Time to Migrate?

The cleanest time is at the start of a new financial year (1 July in Australia) — you get a clear cut-off, and all your historical data in MYOB is already reconciled for the previous year. That said, we migrate businesses mid-year all the time with an agreed conversion date. You don't have to wait for July if your MYOB subscription is expiring or your accountant is recommending the switch.

Most businesses that delay their MYOB to Xero migration do so out of fear of complexity. In our experience, a well-planned migration causes far less disruption than another 12 months on a platform that's slowing you down.

If you're ready to move from MYOB to Xero, or just want to understand what it would cost and how long it would take for your specific dataset, request a free migration assessment — we'll come back to you within 24 hours with a fixed-price quote.