How Much Should I Charge for Catering?
Proper catering pricing is essential for building a profitable business while remaining competitive in the Australian market. Strategic pricing helps you attract the right clients and positions your catering service as a premium or value option based on your target demographic.
Last updated: 9 January 2026
Average Catering Pricing in 2026
Min
$20
Max
$200
This is a real client-ready estimate PDF
Unlock Pro to export your own PDF
Create estimate → Export PDFGet Your Personalised Estimate
Most users upgrade to export a PDF
What Affects Catering Pricing?
- 1Guest count and portion sizes required
- 2Menu complexity and ingredient quality
- 3Service style (buffet, plated, family-style)
- 4Event location and travel distance
- 5Staffing requirements and service duration
What's Typically Included in a Catering Quote?
Example Catering Cost Breakdown
Catering
Hourly vs Project-Based Catering Pricing
How far in advance should I book catering services?
Most caterers recommend booking 2-4 weeks in advance for small events and 6-8 weeks for large events or during peak seasons like holidays, Melbourne Cup, and wedding season.
What's typically included in catering service pricing?
Basic catering usually includes food preparation, delivery, and basic setup. Additional services like servers, linens, equipment rental, and cleanup may cost extra depending on the package.
How do I estimate the right amount of food for my event?
Professional caterers typically plan for 1-1.5 pounds of food per person for a full meal, including appetizers, main course, and sides. Your caterer will help calculate portions based on your specific menu and event timing.
Create Your Own Catering Estimate
View Catering Estimate TemplateFree vs Pro Catering Estimates
Related Pricing Guides
Ready to Create Your Estimate?
Use our free estimate generator to create professional, client-ready quotes in minutes.
Used to send professional estimates to clients