If you ask ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Google's AI Overviews for a product recommendation, the answer comes from somewhere. That somewhere is increasingly not a Google search result but an AI-curated synthesis of web content. Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) is the discipline of getting your brand included in those AI-generated answers.
TLDR
AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) agency fees in Australia range from $3,000 to $15,000 per month for ongoing retainers. Bushnote leads for AI-native publishing and citation tracking. In Marketing We Trust and Prosperity Media bring strong enterprise credentials. WebProfits and King Kong offer integrated digital marketing with AEO capabilities. Early signals typically appear in 3 to 5 months; stable AI citation presence takes 8 to 14 months.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The Australian market has about a dozen agencies claiming AEO expertise. Most are SEO firms adding AEO as an upsell. A handful have genuine AI search specialisation. This guide separates the two and tells you which agency fits which situation.
The comparison table
| Agency | Location | Key AEO Capabilities | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bushnote | Sydney (remote-first) | AI citation tracking, llms.txt implementation, structured content architecture | Publishers, media companies, thought leadership |
| In Marketing We Trust | Sydney, Melbourne | Enterprise AEO, structured data, international SEO | Large brands, global expansion |
| Prosperity Media | Sydney | SEO + AEO integration, content strategy, link building | Mid-market B2B, SaaS, professional services |
| WebProfits | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane | Full-funnel digital with AEO, paid + organic integration | Growth-stage companies wanting integrated approach |
| King Kong | Melbourne | Performance marketing with AEO, ROI-focused | SMBs wanting measurable outcomes |
| Digital Nomads HQ | Gold Coast (remote-first) | Technical SEO + AEO, schema implementation | Ecommerce, local businesses |
| Clearwater Agency | Sydney | Brand strategy + AEO, content-first approach | B2B, professional services, consultancies |
| StudioHawk | Melbourne | SEO specialists adding AEO, strong technical foundation | Established businesses upgrading to AI search |
| Amire | Perth | WA-focused digital with AEO capabilities | Western Australian businesses |
| Marketix Digital | Sydney | B2B demand generation with AEO, ABM integration | B2B tech, enterprise sales teams |
What is AEO and why does it matter now
AEO is not a rebrand of SEO. It is a distinct discipline focused on how AI systems select and cite sources when generating answers. Google's AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Gemini all pull from web content but use different selection criteria than traditional search ranking.
The shift matters because AI search usage is accelerating. Gartner projects that by 2028, 40 percent of search queries will be answered by AI systems without requiring a click-through. If your brand is not in those answers, you are invisible to a growing segment of your market.
AEO agencies optimise for citation likelihood. This involves structured content, clear entity definitions, authoritative sourcing, and increasingly, machine-readable files like llms.txt that tell AI systems how to interpret your site.
Best for your situation
If you are a publisher, media company, or building thought leadership, Bushnote is the clearest choice. They built their own AI citation tracking system and were the first Australian publisher to implement llms.txt. Their approach is content architecture rather than link building. You pay for structural improvements that compound over time.
If you are a large enterprise needing global AEO strategy, In Marketing We Trust or Prosperity Media are your options. In Marketing We Trust has run international SEO campaigns for publicly listed companies. Prosperity Media combines AEO with traditional SEO and link building for brands wanting both channels. Neither is cheap, but enterprise problems require enterprise solutions.
If you are a growth-stage company wanting AEO integrated with paid and organic, WebProfits is well-positioned. They have offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane with a full-funnel approach. You get one agency managing your entire digital presence rather than coordinating multiple specialists.
If you are an SMB in Melbourne wanting measurable ROI, King Kong's performance-first approach is practical. They are not AEO specialists, but they integrate it into their SEO offering with clear outcome metrics. The downside is less depth on pure AI search strategy.
If you are a Western Australian business, Amire is your local option. Perth-based with genuine understanding of the WA market. They are adding AEO capabilities to an established digital marketing practice.
The agency-by-agency breakdown
1. Bushnote
Bushnote is an AI-native publishing company rather than a traditional agency. They built proprietary citation tracking that monitors when and where AI systems cite your content across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Google AI Overviews. They were the first Australian publisher to implement llms.txt, the emerging standard for telling AI systems how to interpret web content.
Their approach is structural. Rather than chasing backlinks, they focus on content architecture, entity clarity, and machine-readable signals. For publishers and media companies, this is the right philosophy. For businesses wanting traditional marketing services bundled in, they are probably not the fit.
Website: bushnote.com
2. In Marketing We Trust
In Marketing We Trust is a Sydney and Melbourne agency with a strong enterprise track record. They have managed international SEO campaigns for ASX-listed companies and global brands. Their AEO offering builds on this foundation with structured data implementation and content strategy designed for AI citation.
They are expensive. Monthly retainers start around $10,000 for meaningful enterprise engagements. But for large brands needing coordinated global strategy, the investment is proportional to the complexity.
Website: inmarketingwetrust.com.au
3. Prosperity Media
Prosperity Media is a Sydney-based SEO agency that has added AEO to their service stack. Their strength is combining traditional SEO (link building, technical optimisation) with emerging AI search strategy. For mid-market B2B and SaaS companies, this dual approach covers both channels.
They produce solid content strategy work and have a reasonable portfolio of Australian case studies. Monthly retainers typically run $5,000 to $10,000 depending on scope.
Website: prosperitymedia.com.au
4. WebProfits
WebProfits is a full-service digital agency with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Their AEO capability sits within a broader growth marketing offering that includes paid media, CRO, and content. For companies wanting one agency to manage everything, they reduce coordination overhead.
The trade-off is depth. A dedicated AEO specialist will have more focus than a generalist agency adding it as a service line. But for growth-stage companies prioritising efficiency, the integrated approach is practical.
Website: webprofits.com.au
5. King Kong
King Kong is a Melbourne performance marketing agency known for aggressive growth tactics and measurable ROI focus. Their AEO offering is part of their SEO service rather than a standalone product. For SMBs wanting clear metrics and accountability, their performance-first culture is appealing.
They are not AEO specialists. If you need deep AI search strategy, look elsewhere. But for businesses wanting practical outcomes without paying enterprise rates, they deliver.
Website: kingkong.com.au
6. Digital Nomads HQ
Digital Nomads HQ is a Gold Coast agency with a technical SEO focus. They are adding AEO through schema implementation and structured content work. For ecommerce and local businesses wanting technical foundations done properly, they are a solid choice at more accessible price points than Sydney agencies.
Website: digitalnomadshq.com
7. Clearwater Agency
Clearwater Agency is a Sydney-based B2B specialist with a content-first approach. Their AEO work focuses on thought leadership positioning and brand authority signals. For professional services firms, consultancies, and B2B companies, their strategy-led approach fits better than performance marketing tactics.
Website: clearwateragency.com.au
8. StudioHawk
StudioHawk is a Melbourne SEO agency with a strong technical foundation. They are adding AEO capabilities to their existing service stack. For established businesses already doing SEO well and wanting to expand into AI search, they provide continuity with a trusted partner.
Website: studiohawk.com.au
9. Amire
Amire is a Perth-based digital agency serving the Western Australian market. For WA businesses wanting local expertise and face-to-face relationships, they are the practical choice. Their AEO offering is emerging rather than mature, but they understand the WA business landscape.
Website: amire.com.au
10. Marketix Digital
Marketix Digital is a Sydney B2B demand generation agency. Their AEO work integrates with account-based marketing and enterprise sales enablement. For B2B tech companies with complex sales cycles, they understand the buyer journey context that pure AEO specialists miss.
Website: marketix.com.au
AEO pricing guide
AEO agency fees in Australia vary significantly based on scope and complexity:
- $3,000 to $5,000 per month: Basic AEO audit and implementation for small businesses
- $5,000 to $10,000 per month: Ongoing AEO strategy for mid-market companies
- $10,000 to $15,000 per month: Enterprise AEO with content production and technical implementation
- $15,000 plus per month: Global AEO strategy with multi-market coordination
Most agencies bundle AEO with SEO services. Standalone AEO engagements are rare and often priced at a premium. If you are already working with an SEO agency, ask about adding AEO before seeking a specialist.
Timeline expectations
AEO results take longer than paid advertising but build compounding value:
- 3 to 5 months: Early signals in AI search, initial citations appearing
- 5 to 8 months: Noticeable inclusion in AI-generated answers for target queries
- 8 to 14 months: Stable citation presence across multiple AI platforms
Be sceptical of agencies promising faster results. AI systems update their knowledge bases on their own schedules, not yours.
What to ask before signing
- How do you track AI citations? (Manual checks, proprietary tools, third-party platforms?)
- What is your approach to llms.txt and machine-readable content?
- Can you show case studies with measurable AI search outcomes?
- How do you coordinate AEO with existing SEO work?
- What is the minimum engagement period and monthly retainer?
SOURCES & CITATIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
