The short answer
Choose an Australian marketing agency on what it will do and how it will report, not on its pitch. Ask for a written monthly scope, confirm you will own the ad accounts and data, check how results will be measured, and make sure ads and follow-ups meet the Australian Consumer Law and the Spam Act 2003. Location matters less than responsiveness and clear reporting.
Last updated 6 October 2026
Australia has no shortage of marketing agencies, and most of them pitch well. The difference shows up months later, in what you actually received, who owns it, and whether anyone can explain what your money did. These ten questions sort that out before you sign.
1. What exactly do I get each month?
Ask for a written scope: which channels, how many campaigns and creative pieces, whether websites and landing pages are included, and how often you meet. "Full-service" means nothing until it is written down.
2. Who owns the ad accounts, pixel data and CRM?
You should. Ad accounts, tracking data, the CRM and your website should be in your business name, so you keep everything if you leave.
3. How will results be measured?
Agree the numbers that matter before you start: enquiries, booked appointments, sales and the cost of each. Reach, impressions and clicks are signals, not results.
4. Who will actually do the work?
Ask who runs your account day to day, and whether any of it is passed to subcontractors. You want to talk to the people doing the work, not only a salesperson.
5. Is ad spend included?
Usually it is not. Confirm whether ad spend is billed through the agency or paid by you directly to Meta and Google, and whether any margin is added.
6. Will the ads follow Australian rules?
Advertising claims are covered by the Australian Consumer Law, and the Spam Act 2003 requires consent before commercial emails and texts are sent. An agency that follows up your leads by SMS or email should be able to explain how it records consent.
7. What happens to my website?
If the agency builds your website, check who owns the domain and hosting. A .com.au domain should be registered in your business name.
8. How long is the contract?
Look for a clear notice period and an initial term short enough to judge results without being locked in.
9. Can I see work you have done?
Ask for live websites and campaigns you can check yourself, and for results that come with a date and a source.
10. Does location matter?
Less than it used to. Most agency work happens on video calls and shared dashboards, so responsiveness and clear reporting matter more than being in the same city. If an agency is in another time zone, ask when calls can be booked and how quickly enquiries are followed up.
Working with a New Zealand agency
OneAdsphere is a marketing agency based in Auckland that works with businesses across Australia. Auckland is 2 hours ahead of Sydney and Melbourne for most of the year, so our day starts before yours, and Australian clients are quoted in AUD. One team runs strategy, creative, Meta and Google ads, websites, SEO, CRM and reporting, and you own every account. See how we work with businesses across Australia, in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, or our website design for Australian businesses.
Choosing a marketing agency in Australia: common questions
What should I ask a marketing agency before hiring them?
Ask what you get each month in writing, who owns the ad accounts and data, how results will be measured, who does the work, whether ad spend is included, how ads and follow-ups meet Australian rules, who owns the website, and how long the contract runs.
Do Australian marketing agencies have to follow advertising rules?
Yes. Advertising claims are covered by the Australian Consumer Law, and the Spam Act 2003 requires consent before commercial emails and SMS are sent.
Should I own my ad accounts when I use an agency?
Yes. Ad accounts, pixel data, the CRM and your website should be in your business name so you keep them if you change agency.
Can a New Zealand agency work for an Australian business?
Yes. Most agency work happens on video calls and shared dashboards. Auckland is 2 hours ahead of Sydney and Melbourne for most of the year, and an NZ agency can quote in AUD.
Is ad spend included in an agency fee?
Usually not. Most agencies bill ad spend separately or have you pay Meta and Google directly. Confirm how it is handled before you sign.