Data is one of the most valuable assets your business holds, and one of the most regulated. From the Australian Privacy Principles to the GDPR in Europe, organisations are under increasing pressure to manage personal information responsibly. Failing to do so can result to costly data breaches, hefty fines, and reputational damage that takes years to repair.
ISO 27701, the privacy extension to ISO 27001, provides a structured framework for building a robust Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). But what does it actually cost to become certified, and how should your organisation plan for it? This guide explains the financial side of certification, helping you understand where your money goes, why costs vary, and how to get the most value from your investment.
Before diving into the certification process, it’s worth considering the alternative. The average cost of a data breach in Australia is estimated at over AUD 4 million (IBM, 2024). This figure doesn’t just include remediation and legal costs, it also factors in lost business, regulatory fines, and damage to customer trust.
Compared to these potential losses, ISO 27701 certification is often a small price to pay for the assurance that your privacy management is world-class and audit-ready.
Most Australian organisations can expect to invest between AUD 6,000 and AUD 55,000 in ISO 27701 certification.
These figures include the stages from initial gap analysis to the external certification audit, but exclude costs for extensive system overhauls if your privacy controls are minimal or non-existent.
Certification bodies approach ISO 27701 differently. Key variations include:
Rather than thinking only about size or headcount, it’s important to view ISO 27701 costs through the lens of privacy risk categories. Each category influences the resources, audit scope, and technical controls you’ll need.
A deep dive into your current privacy posture, identifying gaps against ISO 27701 clauses and regulatory obligations.
Includes privacy policies, consent management procedures, subject access request handling, and data retention schedules.
May involve software for privacy impact assessments (PIAs), consent tracking, and secure data deletion, plus staff training across all roles handling personal data.
Validates readiness before the external audit, either internally (lower cost) or via third-party specialists.
Formal evaluation by an accredited body, reviewing both documentation and operational controls.
Annual audits to ensure ongoing compliance, plus periodic updates as privacy regulations evolve.
Think of certification in three budget phases:
By spreading investment across these phases, you avoid a single large expense spike and maintain continuous compliance.
We’ve been helping Australian organisations achieve and maintain ISO certifications for over 15 years, with a strong track record in privacy and data protection standards. Our approach is transparent, collaborative, and tailored to the specific privacy risks of your industry.
You’ll benefit from:
Contact us today to discover how our expertise can strengthen your business continuity framework and drive long-term value for your enterprise.
Costs range from AUD 6,000 for small, low-risk organisations to over AUD 50,000 for large, complex enterprises handling high volumes of sensitive data.
Audit costs cover gap analysis, internal and external audits, documentation review, operational process verification, and recommendations for continual improvement.
Yes. You’ll need to budget for annual surveillance audits, updates to privacy policies, refresher training, and technology upgrades to address evolving threats.
Most organisations complete ISO 27701 certification in three to six months, depending on readiness, resource availability, and scope.
Yes, it’s designed to integrate seamlessly with ISO 27001, and can also complement ISO 9001 or ISO 22301 for a more holistic management system.
Absolutely. Certification not only helps small businesses meet regulatory requirements but also builds credibility with clients, especially in data-sensitive sectors.