— The 2026 Aussie Indie Agency Report · 2nd edition
Aussie agencies are growing. One in four are truly profitable.
We surveyed 125 independent agencies to find out what the most profitable ones do differently. Benchmarked numbers on margins, hiring, AI, and pricing.
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KEY THEMES IN THE 2026 REPORT
MARGINS
One in four agencies clear 20% net profit. The report shows what separates them from the 3 quarters who don't, and why it isn't size.
AI
44% say AI lifted profit. Most are quietly handing that gain back to clients without realising. We map where the margins are leaking.
PRICING
54% raised prices last year. Margins still didn't move. The report unpacks why higher rates aren't fixing the problem, and the two paths from here.
PIPELINE
Winning work is the top concern for 71% of agencies. Competition is heating up. Get a CFO perspective on what works in sales & delivery.
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METHODICAL INSIGHTS
Real insights from founders. Numbers crunched by a CFO.
"Embracing AI beyond copywriting and strategy, and finding a way to wow clients in a way they couldn't do themselves."
- Agency founder, survey respondent
"Very lumpy earnings month to month. One minute thinking of hiring, the next twiddling our thumbs."
- Agency founder, survey respondent
"Generally, just finding marketing services harder to sell to the mid-market given AI can do so much now."
- Agency founder, survey respondent
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Trimline = margins, benchmarks, and a sharp second opinion.
Built by a CFO. For indie agencies.
Trimline is a fractional CFO partner for Australian independent agencies. We help founders fix margins, stack cash, and scale without chaos.
A special thanks to Andrew Knox at Golden Thread, who led the data analysis and reporting.
MORE BENCHMARKING
2025 REPORT
Get our first annual report where we surveyed 55 Australian indie agencies. Benchmark what's changed in 12-months across pricing, hiring, utilisation and more.
2027 SURVEY
Stand up and be counted in 2027. Come & be part of the 2027 report, get notified when the survey goes live, and be among the the first to get the report when it lands.
CFO services for independent agencies.
Margins, benchmarks, and a sharp second opinion.
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