ISO 9001 Certification Cost: What You Really Need to Know (and How to Save)

By Paul Lindsay

Getting ISO 9001 certified is a smart move, but how much does it really cost?

Whether you're a startup chasing tenders, a growing SME looking to improve quality, or a consultant supporting clients, it's essential to understand where the costs come from and how to manage them. Here's a breakdown of the typical costs involved, what drives them, and how tools like CertCrowd can dramatically reduce both time and money.

1. External Audit Costs (Certification Body Fees)

The largest visible cost in most ISO 9001 journeys is the certification audit, conducted by an accredited Certification Body (CB). This includes two stages:

Stage 1 – Document and readiness review
Stage 2 – On-site or remote assessment of implementation and effectiveness

How Is Audit Time Calculated?

Audit duration is based on rules set by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), specifically IAF MD 5: Determination of Audit Time of Quality and Environmental Management Systems.

Some of the factors that influence audit time include:

Number of employees (full-time equivalents)
Number of sites
Complexity of processes
Shifts or operational hours
Whether design/development is included

Example (from IAF MD 5 Table): For a single-site organisation with 11–25 employees, audit time is typically 3.0 audit days. Multiply this by the CB's day rate (e.g., AUD $1,200–$1,800 per day), and the certification cost could be $3,600–$5,400 for the initial audit.

Add-on fees might include travel and remember there are surveillance audits and re-certification audits.

2. Cost of Getting Ready (Gap Closure + Documentation)

Before the auditor arrives, you'll need:

A functioning Quality Management System (QMS)
Documented procedures and policies
Internal audits and management review
Evidence of implementation and improvement

Here's where the costs vary wildly:

Approach	Typical Cost Range
Do-it-yourself (DIY)	$0–$1,000 (time cost)
Using CertCrowd	Free–$2,990
Consultant-led build	$8,000–$20,000+

If you're doing it yourself, the time and risk of missing something are your biggest costs. Consultant fees can skyrocket depending on your size and urgency. CertCrowd fills this gap with templates, workflows, checklists, and reminders that speed up readiness with minimal cost.

3. Internal Resourcing Costs (Time = Money)

Even the best software can't remove the need for internal effort, but it can minimise it.

Typical time commitments for SMEs include:

Owner / Director: 5–15 hours total
Team Leads / Staff: 10–30 hours total
Internal Auditor / Coordinator: 20–40 hours/year

This adds up quickly, especially if you're chasing tenders and juggling operations. CertCrowd's built-in audit scheduler, task tracker, and action templates help distribute the workload and reduce downtime.

4. Total Cost Estimate (3-Year Cycle)

Here's a rough estimate for a small business with 10–20 staff and a single site:

Cost Category	Estimated Cost (AUD)
Certification Body (3-year cycle)	$10,000 – $15,000
QMS Development (CertCrowd)	Free – $2,990
Internal Time / Labour	$4,000 – $12,000
Estimated Total	$20,000 – $30,000

How CertCrowd Helps You Cut Certification Costs

✅ Freemium access: Start your QMS build for free
✅ Audit-ready templates: Avoid costly gaps
✅ Automated workflows: Reduce admin and human error
✅ Collaboration tools: Share tasks and updates in one place
✅ Built-in readiness dashboard: Always know where you stand

CertCrowd gives you the structure and tools to get certified quickly, confidently, and cost-effectively.

Ready to get ISO 9001 certified? Start for free at certcrowd.com