Microsoft 365 Security Assessment Costs in Australia
Microsoft 365 security assessments range from free MSP reviews to formal compliance-grade audits costing tens of thousands of dollars. The difference is not just price - it is scope, independence and what you actually receive. This guide explains what drives the cost, what each level includes, and how to evaluate whether you are getting value.
The price ranges in this guide are indicative of the Australian market as of 2026. Actual pricing varies by provider, tenant size and scope. Always obtain a written scope of work before engaging.
What determines the cost of a Microsoft 365 assessment?
The primary cost drivers are scope (how many domains are assessed), depth (surface check vs thorough configuration review), independence (vendor-led vs independent), and deliverable quality (verbal debrief vs written findings report with remediation plan).
Tenant size matters less than you might expect. A 50-user tenant with a complex SharePoint environment can take longer to assess than a 200-user tenant with a clean, well-governed setup. Complexity, not headcount, drives effort.
Assessment types and typical costs
| Type | Scope | Typical cost (AUD) | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSP or vendor review | Surface-level checks, often part of a sales process | Free to $500 | Conflict of interest - findings often favour the provider's services |
| Focused security review | One or two specific areas: identity or email security | $800 to $1,800 | Misses governance, licensing and collaboration domains |
| Comprehensive tenant assessment | All domains: identity, security, governance, licensing, collaboration | $2,500 to $4,500 | Standard for most businesses. Evoltra Health Check starts from $2,500. |
| Compliance-grade audit | Full governance, Essential Eight mapping, formal evidence pack | $6,000 to $20,000+ | Required for government contractors and regulated industries |
What a comprehensive assessment should include
For a business with 20 to 500 users, a comprehensive Microsoft 365 assessment should cover the following areas at minimum:
- Identity and access: Entra ID configuration, MFA enforcement, Conditional Access policies, admin account hygiene
- Security posture: Microsoft Secure Score baseline, Defender for Microsoft 365 configuration, email security policies
- Device management: Intune enrolment and compliance policy review
- Collaboration governance: SharePoint and OneDrive external sharing, Teams governance, guest access
- Licensing review: what you are paying for vs what is actually in use
- Data and compliance: retention policies, sensitivity labels, DLP configuration
- Findings report: written, prioritised by impact and effort, with remediation recommendations
- Review session: walkthrough of findings with your team
Questions to ask before engaging
- 01
What access do you need, and in what form?
A legitimate assessment requires read-only access to your tenant - typically a Global Reader role in Entra ID. No provider should require admin credentials or write access to conduct an assessment.
- 02
What domains does the assessment cover?
Ask for a written scope list. If identity, Defender, Intune, SharePoint governance and licensing are not all mentioned, the assessment is likely partial.
- 03
What is the deliverable?
You should receive a written findings report, not just a verbal debrief. The report should list findings by priority with specific remediation recommendations, not just a Secure Score screenshot.
- 04
Is the provider independent?
If the provider also sells Microsoft licences or has a commercial relationship with Microsoft that generates margin, ask explicitly how they ensure their recommendations are independent of that relationship.
- 05
What happens if they find something serious?
Ask whether they will notify you immediately of a critical finding during the assessment or wait until the report is delivered. An independent provider should flag critical risks as they are found.
Red flags in a low-cost assessment
- Findings that consistently recommend purchasing additional services or upgrading licences with the same provider
- No written report - findings delivered only verbally or via a slideshow
- Assessment completed in less than one business day for a tenant of any meaningful size
- Secure Score screenshot presented as the primary finding, without explanation of specific gaps
- No follow-up session to walk through findings and answer questions
- Scope limited to areas where the provider has products to sell (email security only, backup only)
The cheapest assessment is rarely the best value. A $500 vendor review that leads you to spend $8,000 on unnecessary additional services costs more than a $2,500 independent assessment that tells you exactly what needs to change.
Accuracy
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026 · Microsoft product capabilities, licensing and configuration options change regularly. Verify current details at learn.microsoft.com.
Next step
Microsoft 365 Security & Governance Baseline
An independent, comprehensive Microsoft 365 tenant assessment with a written findings report, prioritised remediation recommendations and a follow-up review session. From $2,500.
Learn more