Engagement pricing. No surprises.
Cipher Projects is an Australian software and AI automation company. Start with an AI Readiness Snapshot from AUD $1,950, move to Architecture Mapping & Roadmap from AUD $5,000, or engage us as a fractional CTO, on a build sprint, or for dedicated engineering capacity when you already know what seats you need. All pricing is shown in Australian, US, and Singapore dollars.
Ways to engage
Most clients start with a Readiness Snapshot. Fixed scopes are quoted upfront; retainers and larger engagements are scoped on a short call.
AI Readiness Snapshot
One call, a lightweight review of your systems and AI posture, and a short written brief. A low-friction entry point — priced like a serious diagnostic, not a giveaway.
AUD $1,950–2,400 / fixed scope
~6–8 hours · one call + brief
Architecture Mapping & Roadmap
Full environment audit, mapped architecture, written roadmap, and a delivery session. The anchor engagement that leads to the real work.
From AUD $5,000 / fixed scope
~12–16 hours · audit + roadmap session
Ongoing Advisory Retainer
Ongoing architecture guidance once the roadmap is delivered. Senior advisory on decisions, vendors, and delivery — without a full-time executive hire.
AUD $1,400–2,400 / per month
4–6 hours/month · $350–400/hr
Fractional CTO
Ongoing technical leadership for founders and leadership teams. Strategy, architecture, delivery oversight and the hard calls, without hiring full-time.
From AUD $8,000 / per month
1–3 days/week, scoped to the engagement
Led personally by Keith Vaughan — read his approach
AI Build Sprint
A fixed-scope, fixed-price build that ships a specific software or AI product. Discovery, design, build, ship.
From AUD $20,000 / fixed scope
4–8 weeks typical
All prices are starting rates in the stated currency, excluding GST where applicable. AUD is our billing currency; USD and SGD are indicative conversions confirmed at contract.
Dedicated engineering capacity
When you already know what seats you need. Fully-managed developers, delivered from our Australian and Vietnam development offices in roughly 14 days when needed. You do not manage the underlying team.
Pricing questions
How much does a fractional CTO cost?
Fractional CTO engagements start from AUD $8,000 (USD $5,500 / SGD $7,200) per month for 1–2 days per week of technical leadership, and scale with scope and seniority. Most founder engagements sit between AUD $8,000 and AUD $25,000 per month. Pricing is scoped per engagement after a short call.
What does an AI Readiness Snapshot cost?
The AI Readiness Snapshot is AUD $1,950–$2,400 (USD $1,350–$1,660 / SGD $1,760–$2,160) for roughly 6–8 hours of work: one discovery call, a lightweight review of your systems and AI posture, and a short written brief. It is a low-friction entry point — priced like a serious diagnostic, not a giveaway.
What does the AI Roadmap & Architecture engagement cost?
The AI Roadmap & Architecture engagement is AUD $5,000 (USD $3,450 / SGD $4,500) flat. It includes a discovery call, a review of your current systems and workflows, and a written roadmap with clear next steps — delivered in two weeks. If you move into a build or dedicated team afterward, this fee is credited toward that engagement.
What does an ongoing advisory retainer cost?
Ongoing advisory retainers run AUD $1,400–$2,400 (USD $970–$1,660 / SGD $1,260–$2,160) per month for 4–6 hours of senior architecture guidance at $350–400/hr. Most clients start here after a roadmap is delivered, for ongoing decisions, vendor oversight, and delivery support.
What does an AI build sprint cost?
AI build sprints are fixed-scope and fixed-price, starting from AUD $20,000 (USD $13,800 / SGD $18,000) for a focused 4–8 week build that ships a specific software or AI product. Larger sprints and full product builds scale from there. You get a fixed quote after discovery, not an open-ended estimate.
Do you still offer dedicated developers?
Yes. If you already know what seats you need, we provide fully-managed dedicated developers from AUD $7,500 (USD $5,200 / SGD $6,800) per month for a frontend developer, scaling to AUD $11,000 (USD $7,600 / SGD $9,900) per month for a senior AI/ML engineer. Delivered from our Australian and Vietnam development offices, typically within 14 days when needed.
How does delivery work — do I manage the team?
No. You work directly with us, and we scope, own and manage the engagement end to end, whether that is a fractional CTO relationship, a fixed-price build, or a dedicated team. Work is delivered from our Australian and Vietnam development offices; you never manage the underlying team yourself.
What currencies do you bill in?
We are an Australian company and bill primarily in Australian dollars (AUD). We also quote and invoice in US dollars (USD) and Singapore dollars (SGD) for clients in those markets. USD and SGD figures are indicative conversions and are confirmed at the time of contract.
Where are you based?
Cipher Projects is an Australian software and AI automation company headquartered in Canberra, with development offices in Australia and Vietnam, serving clients across Australia, Singapore and worldwide.