The Google Display Network offers a powerful canvas for reaching over 90% of internet users worldwide with visually engaging ads. However, transforming that potential into tangible results like brand awareness, lead generation, and sales requires deep expertise in strategy, creative design, and targeting. The challenge isn't just if you should use Display ads, but who you should partner with to manage them effectively.
Finding the right fit among the many Google Display advertising companies can feel overwhelming, especially for businesses in manufacturing, law, construction, or retail. This guide simplifies the process by curating seven of the most reliable directories and platforms where Australian businesses can discover, vet, and connect with agencies and specialists. We'll explore what each resource offers, its unique strengths, and how to use them to build a shortlist of potential partners suited to your specific goals.
This roundup is designed to be your direct path to finding a qualified partner. Each entry includes direct links to get you started immediately. Beyond these directories, adopting specific strategies for finding the right design agency can further refine your search and ensure the creative partner you choose can support your campaign's visual needs. Our goal is to equip you with the resources to make an informed decision, ensuring your investment delivers maximum impact across the web.
1. Google Partners Directory (Official)
When searching for reputable google display advertising companies, the best place to start is often at the source. The official Google Partners Directory is the definitive platform for verifying an agency's credentials directly with Google. It serves as a comprehensive database of agencies that have met Google's stringent requirements for performance, ad spend, and employee certifications, making it an essential first step for building a trustworthy shortlist of potential partners in Australia.
The platform’s primary value lies in its credibility. You can instantly validate an agency’s partner status, ensuring they have proven expertise and are recognised by Google. This eliminates guesswork and provides a baseline of quality assurance before you even initiate contact.
Core Features and How to Use Them
The directory is designed for ease of use, allowing you to filter potential partners with precision. You can narrow your search by location, ensuring you find a local agency in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, or the Gold Coast.
- Filter by Specialisation: Drill down your search to find agencies with proven success specifically in Google Display campaigns. Other specialisations include Search, Video, Shopping, and App campaigns.
- Verify Partner Tiers: The directory clearly displays an agency's partner badge. Look for the Premier Partner badge, which signifies that the agency is in the top 3% of participating companies in Australia for that year, demonstrating advanced expertise and sustained client growth.
- Seamless Outreach: Each listing provides direct links to the agency’s website and contact details, streamlining the process of reaching out to your shortlisted candidates.
What Makes It Stand Out
The key differentiator for the Google Partners Directory is its unquestionable authority. Unlike other third-party review sites, the information here is verified directly by Google. This first-party validation is the gold standard for confirming an agency's qualifications and relationship with Google.
Pricing and Engagement
The directory itself is a free tool for businesses. However, it does not standardise pricing information for the listed agencies. Each agency sets its own engagement models and fees, which typically include management fees based on a percentage of ad spend or a flat-rate retainer. To understand the investment required, you will need to contact agencies directly. For more detailed insights into what you might expect to pay, it's helpful to understand the various factors that influence the cost of Google Ads management.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unrivalled Credibility: All data is verified directly by Google, providing an accurate list of certified partners.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Features a wide range of certified agencies across Australia, from large national firms to specialised local experts.
- Efficient Vetting Tool: Perfect for creating an initial, qualified list of potential partners and validating claims made on their websites.
Cons:
- No Standardised Pricing: You must contact each agency individually for quotes and engagement models.
- Limited Performance Data: The directory does not consistently feature in-depth case studies or client testimonials within the platform itself; further research is required.
Website: https://ads.google.com/home/partners/work-with-a-partner/
2. Clutch – Google Ads PPC Agencies in Australia
While Google’s directory provides official verification, Clutch offers a different yet equally valuable perspective driven by client feedback. It is a highly-regarded B2B marketplace where businesses can find, compare, and review service providers. For those looking for google display advertising companies in Australia, Clutch provides a comprehensive list enriched with verified client reviews, detailed service descriptions, and crucial project details.
The platform’s strength is its transparency. By aggregating genuine client interviews and ratings, it helps you gauge an agency's real-world performance, communication style, and project management capabilities before making a commitment. This makes it an excellent resource for moving beyond certifications and understanding how an agency actually delivers.
Core Features and How to Use Them
Clutch is built around robust filtering and sorting capabilities, allowing you to create a shortlist of agencies that perfectly match your budget, location, and specific campaign needs. Its user interface is designed to make comparing top PPC marketing agencies straightforward.
- Filter by Budget and Rate: You can filter agencies by minimum project size (e.g., $1,000+, $5,000+) and average hourly rate (e.g., $50 – $99/hr, $150 – $199/hr), providing immediate budget clarity.
- Verified Client Reviews: Each agency profile features in-depth, verified reviews based on interviews conducted by Clutch analysts. These reviews cover project scope, results, and overall satisfaction.
- Location and Industry Focus: Narrow your search to find local partners in Australian cities like Brisbane, Perth, or Adelaide, and find agencies with demonstrated experience in your specific industry, such as manufacturing, retail, or construction.
What Makes It Stand Out
The key differentiator for Clutch is its emphasis on verified, in-depth client feedback. While other platforms rely on user-submitted testimonials, Clutch's team personally interviews an agency’s clients to create detailed, unbiased case studies. This process adds a layer of authenticity and detail that is hard to find elsewhere, offering a true window into the client experience.
Pricing and Engagement
Clutch is free for businesses to use. One of its most useful features is the upfront display of pricing indicators like hourly rates and minimum project sizes on agency listings. This transparency allows you to quickly assess if an agency's engagement model aligns with your budget, saving significant time during the research phase. You still need to contact agencies for a formal quote, but you can do so with a much clearer understanding of their pricing structure.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Transparent Pricing Filters: Provides helpful ballpark pricing ranges, allowing for quick budget-based shortlisting.
- Rich Client Feedback: Verified, in-depth reviews offer unparalleled insight into an agency's real-world performance and client relationships.
- Helpful Comparison Tools: Easily compare agencies side-by-side based on rates, location, verified reviews, and industry focus.
Cons:
- Sponsored Placements: Agencies can pay for premium visibility, which may influence their position in the search results.
- Variable Review Quality: The quality, detail, and recency of reviews can vary significantly from one agency to another.
Website: https://clutch.co/au/agencies/ppc/google-adwords
3. DesignRush – Top Google Ads Agencies in Australia
DesignRush provides a marketplace-style directory where businesses can find, compare, and connect with various digital agencies, including google display advertising companies. It positions itself as a B2B matchmaking service, offering curated rankings of Australian agencies that specialise in Google Ads and PPC. The platform is particularly useful for SMBs and national brands looking to build a shortlist of potential partners by quickly evaluating key agency details in one place.
Its primary value lies in the breadth of information provided upfront, such as hourly rates, minimum project sizes, and team details. This allows businesses to quickly filter out agencies that don't align with their budget or scale before initiating contact, saving valuable time in the vetting process.
Core Features and How to Use Them
The platform is built around powerful filters that help you refine your search for the right agency partner. You can quickly move from a broad list of Australian agencies to a targeted selection that meets your specific needs for a Google Display campaign.
- Filter by Budget, Location, and Industry: You can narrow down agencies by minimum project size, hourly rate, and physical location (e.g., Brisbane, Perth). The ability to filter by industry focus helps find an agency with experience in your specific market.
- Side-by-Side Comparisons: The layout makes it easy to compare key stats of multiple agencies at a glance. You can see their offered services, client reviews, and team size without clicking into each individual profile.
- Verified Reviews and Badges: DesignRush features client reviews and uses badges to highlight agencies with verified credentials or those that have received awards, adding a layer of social proof to your search.
What Makes It Stand Out
The key differentiator for DesignRush is its focus on providing quick, snapshot data points like pricing and project size. While other directories may focus solely on certifications, DesignRush aims to answer the immediate commercial questions businesses have when evaluating google display advertising companies, making it a practical tool for budget-conscious decision-making.
Pricing and Engagement
DesignRush is free for businesses to use and browse. The listed agencies provide their own pricing information, which is often displayed as an hourly rate range (e.g., $100-$149/hr) or a minimum project size (e.g., $1,000+). This transparency is a significant advantage, though you will still need to contact agencies directly for a formal quote based on your campaign scope. This initial data is invaluable for understanding how to choose a pay-per-click agency that aligns with your financial planning.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Quick Shortlist Building: The extensive, filterable list of AU-focused agencies makes it easy to create a viable shortlist in minutes.
- Transparent Snapshot Data: Provides upfront information on minimum project sizes and hourly rates, which is often hard to find.
- Rapid Evaluation: The comparison-friendly layout is useful for rapidly evaluating multiple agencies against key criteria.
Cons:
- Paid Placements: Some agencies pay for premium visibility, so rankings are not always purely merit-based or organic.
- Varying Data Depth: The level of detail on performance metrics and case studies can be inconsistent from one agency listing to another.
Website: https://www.designrush.com/agency/paid-media-pay-per-click/google-adwords/au
4. Upwork – Google Display/Google Ads Specialists in Australia
For businesses seeking flexibility or needing specialised skills for short-term projects, Upwork provides a direct line to individual freelancers and boutique agencies. It's a marketplace where you can hire Australia-based talent specialising in Google Display campaigns on an hourly or fixed-price basis. This model is ideal for companies that need a quick campaign launch, a one-off performance audit, or ongoing management without the commitment of a long-term agency retainer.
The platform's strength lies in its transparency and the sheer volume of available talent. You can quickly assess potential candidates by reviewing their work history, client ratings, and verified earnings, which offers a layer of social proof before you even start a conversation.
Core Features and How to Use Them
Upwork is built to facilitate direct hiring and project management, giving you control over the entire engagement process. You can post a job detailing your Google Display needs or proactively search for freelancers who match your criteria.
- Filtered Talent Pools: Use the search filters to specifically find google display advertising companies or individual experts based in Australia. You can further refine your search by skills, job success score, and hourly rate to match your budget and project complexity.
- Transparent Profiles: Each freelancer profile acts as a detailed resume, showcasing their work history, portfolio, client feedback, and often, Google certifications. This allows for a thorough pre-screening process.
- Secure Engagement Tools: The platform provides built-in contracts, escrow services to protect payments, and time-tracking tools, ensuring a structured and secure working relationship from start to finish.
What Makes It Stand Out
Upwork's key differentiator is its unmatched flexibility and speed to hire. Unlike traditional agency procurement, which can take weeks or months, you can often find, vet, and hire a qualified specialist within days. This agility is invaluable for businesses needing to react quickly to market opportunities or supplement an in-house team's capacity for a specific display campaign.
Pricing and Engagement
The platform offers complete pricing transparency. Freelancers set their own hourly rates or can bid on fixed-price projects. Rates for experienced Google Ads specialists in Australia can vary widely, but are clearly displayed on each profile. Upwork charges a marketplace fee on top of the freelancer's rate. This model allows businesses of all sizes, especially those on the Gold Coast or in other regional hubs, to find an expert that fits their specific budget.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Flexible Engagement Models: Hire by the hour or for a fixed project cost, perfect for any budget or project scope.
- Rapid Onboarding: The process of finding and hiring a specialist can be significantly faster than sourcing a traditional agency.
- Transparent Vetting: Public profiles with client reviews, success scores, and work history make it easier to assess a candidate's credibility.
Cons:
- Quality Varies: The open marketplace means skill levels can differ significantly; thorough due diligence is crucial.
- Limited Scalability: Individual freelancers may lack the resources or bandwidth to manage large-scale or complex multi-brand accounts effectively.
Website: https://www.upwork.com/hire/google-adwords-experts/au/
5. Sortlist – Display Advertising Agencies in Australia
Sortlist operates as a matchmaking service, connecting businesses with marketing and creative agencies. For those specifically looking for google display advertising companies in Australia, its dedicated category provides a structured way to discover and vet potential partners. It functions by allowing you to submit a project brief, after which it provides a curated shortlist of agencies that match your specific needs, from budget to industry experience.
The platform’s main benefit is its guided discovery process. Instead of conducting a broad, open-ended search, you define your requirements upfront, and Sortlist presents you with a pre-qualified list, saving time and focusing your evaluation on relevant candidates. This approach is particularly useful for businesses new to outsourcing their digital marketing.
Core Features and How to Use Them
Sortlist’s interface is built around its project submission and matching engine. The platform streamlines the initial discovery phase by asking for key project details to deliver tailored recommendations.
- Submit a Project Brief: You start by outlining your project needs, including goals for your Google Display campaign, target audience, and desired outcomes. This brief is used to match you with suitable agencies.
- Filter by Essential Criteria: Agency profiles clearly display crucial information like minimum project budget, team size, location within Australia, and client reviews, helping you quickly assess compatibility.
- Receive a Curated Shortlist: Based on your brief, the platform delivers a selection of recommended google display advertising companies. This curated approach helps you focus on a smaller, more relevant pool of potential partners.
What Makes It Stand Out
Sortlist’s key differentiator is its structured, brief-driven matchmaking process. Unlike open directories where you do all the work, Sortlist actively curates options for you. The explicit display of minimum budgets on agency profiles is another standout feature, as it brings immediate financial transparency to the table and helps manage expectations from the very first step.
Pricing and Engagement
Using Sortlist to find and receive agency recommendations is free for businesses. The platform does not set the pricing for the agencies listed. Each agency has its own fee structure, which will be discussed once you engage with them. The minimum budget indicators on profiles give a helpful starting point, but you'll need to contact the agencies directly for detailed proposals and to understand the full scope of their service costs. For a broader understanding of agency costs, exploring what a search engine marketing agency offers can provide valuable context.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Structured Vendor Matching: Excellent for receiving a curated shortlist based on specific display campaign requirements.
- Clear Budget Signals: Minimum project budgets are clearly stated, helping to set realistic financial expectations early.
- Time-Saving Curation: The matchmaking service saves time by pre-vetting agencies based on your project brief.
Cons:
- Incomplete Roster: Not every top-tier Australian display agency is listed on the platform.
- Variable Profile Depth: Some agency profiles lack detailed case studies or granular performance data, requiring further research.
Website: https://www.sortlist.com/s/display-advertising/australia-au
6. Fiverr Agencies – Google Ads Agencies
For businesses with well-defined, smaller-scale projects, Fiverr's agency hub offers a different approach to engaging google display advertising companies. This platform curates vetted teams that sell packaged Google Ads services, including campaign setup, audits, and ongoing optimisation, often at fixed project rates. It is particularly useful for smaller, clearly scoped Display projects where a quick turnaround and predictable costs are the primary drivers.
The platform's value lies in its transactional nature. You can browse, compare, and purchase services in a streamlined marketplace environment, which is a significant departure from the traditional agency retainer model. This makes it a viable option for businesses looking to test the waters with Display ads or execute a specific, one-off campaign without a long-term commitment.
Core Features and How to Use Them
Fiverr Agencies is structured to simplify the procurement process. It provides clear, upfront information to help businesses make fast decisions for their campaign needs.
- Fixed-Price Projects: Agencies list their services as "Gigs" with clear deliverables, timelines, and set prices. This allows you to budget precisely for tasks like "Google Display Campaign Setup" or "Monthly GDN Management".
- Visible Portfolios and Ratings: Each agency profile includes a portfolio of past work, client reviews, and key metrics like average response time. This transparency helps in vetting potential partners based on their track record and client satisfaction.
- Platform-Managed Transactions: Fiverr handles all contracts and payments, providing a secure and standardised process. This reduces administrative overhead and offers a layer of protection for both the business and the agency.
What Makes It Stand Out
The key differentiator for Fiverr Agencies is its packaged-service model. Unlike traditional agencies that require custom proposals and lengthy negotiations, Fiverr provides an "off-the-shelf" experience. This is ideal for businesses that know exactly what they need and want to get started quickly without the typical onboarding process.
Pricing and Engagement
Engagement on Fiverr is based on fixed-price projects. Prices can range from a few hundred dollars for a basic campaign audit to several thousand for comprehensive setup and monthly management. The platform’s structure means there are no hidden fees, as the price you see is the price you pay for the defined scope of work. For Australian businesses, it's important to clarify GST handling and ABN requirements with the chosen agency to ensure compliance.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Cost-Effective for Small Projects: Provides a fast, transaction-style purchasing model at lower entry budgets.
- Easy Comparison: The platform makes it simple to compare packages, prices, and timelines from various agencies side-by-side.
- Ideal for Scoped Work: Excellent for well-defined, smaller projects like a single campaign launch or a performance audit.
Cons:
- Variable Quality: Experience and expertise can vary significantly between agencies; thorough buyer diligence is vital.
- Potential Compliance Issues: Australian buyers must proactively check for GST handling and verify if the agency can provide a valid ABN for tax purposes.
Website: https://www.fiverr.com/agencies/digital-marketing/google-ads
7. The Manifest – Advertising Agencies in Australia (filter for PPC/Google Ads)
From the same team behind the well-known B2B platform Clutch, The Manifest offers a complementary business blog and agency directory. It is a valuable resource for businesses looking to identify and shortlist potential google display advertising companies across Australia. While broader in scope than some specialised directories, its powerful filtering system allows users to zero in on agencies that offer pay-per-click (PPC) and search engine marketing (SEM) services.
The platform is designed to provide quick, high-level insights, helping you scan and compare agencies based on their service offerings, minimum project sizes, and team structures. This makes it an excellent tool for triangulating information found on other platforms and building a more robust and well-vetted shortlist of potential partners.
Core Features and How to Use Them
The Manifest excels at providing scannable, top-line data that simplifies the initial stages of your research. Its user-friendly interface allows for efficient browsing and comparison of Australian agencies.
- Service-Specific Filtering: Easily refine your search to agencies in Australia that list PPC/SEM as a core service, ensuring you focus only on those with relevant expertise for your Google Display campaigns.
- Budget and Team Size Indicators: Each agency profile often includes key data points like minimum project size and employee count. This helps you quickly determine if an agency is a good fit for your budget and scale.
- Portfolio Highlights: Many listings feature a curated selection of past work and client references, offering a glimpse into the agency’s creative capabilities and client satisfaction levels.
What Makes It Stand Out
The Manifest’s primary advantage is its role as a powerful cross-referencing tool. While it shares some listings with its sister site, Clutch, it often presents distinct agencies and different data points. Using The Manifest alongside other directories allows you to build a more comprehensive and validated list of potential partners, reducing the risk of overlooking a great-fit agency.
Pricing and Engagement
The Manifest is a free-to-use directory for businesses seeking agency partners. The listed agencies determine their own pricing structures, which are often indicated by a "minimum project size" filter (e.g., $5,000+, $10,000+). Engagement models will vary, from percentage-of-spend fees to fixed monthly retainers. To get precise quotes, you will need to engage with the agencies directly through the contact details provided in their profiles.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Complements Other Directories: Excellent for triangulating data from sites like Clutch to get a fuller picture of the agency landscape.
- Quick Scanning: Budget and service mix indicators allow for rapid assessment and shortlisting.
- AU-Specific Agency Lists: You can easily filter to find agencies operating specifically within the Australian market.
Cons:
- Limited Display-Specific Details: Not all profiles feature in-depth case studies specifically on Google Display campaigns; further investigation is often needed.
- Sponsored Listings: Be aware that some agency rankings and visibility may be influenced by paid sponsorships on the platform.
Website: https://themanifest.com/au/advertising/agencies
Comparing Google Display Advertising Agency Directories
- Google Partners Directory (Official): Best for validating credentials and finding certified partners. Its key advantage is first-party verification from Google.
- Clutch – Google Ads PPC Agencies: Best for comparing agencies based on rich, verified client reviews and budget ranges.
- DesignRush – Top Google Ads Agencies: Best for rapidly evaluating multiple agencies with side-by-side comparisons of snapshot data like rates and team size.
- Upwork – Google Display/Google Ads Specialists: Best for flexible, short-term work or finding individual specialists quickly. Its flexible hiring models are a key advantage.
- Sortlist – Display Advertising Agencies in Australia: Best for getting a curated shortlist of agencies based on a detailed project brief.
- Fiverr Agencies – Google Ads Agencies: Best for small, well-scoped projects with fixed-price packages and fast procurement.
- The Manifest – Advertising Agencies in Australia: Best for triangulating data and cross-referencing shortlists from other directories like Clutch.
Choosing Your Partner: Key Considerations
Navigating the landscape of Google Display advertising companies can feel overwhelming, but the directories and platforms we've explored provide a structured starting point for building your shortlist. From the official Google Partners Directory to specialised B2B platforms like Clutch and freelancer hubs such as Upwork, you have a wealth of options to find potential partners. The true challenge, however, lies not in finding candidates, but in selecting the one that will become a genuine extension of your marketing team.
Making the right choice requires moving beyond surface-level evaluations and portfolio reviews. It involves a deeper assessment of strategy, creativity, and technical acumen. A great agency doesn't just execute; it interrogates, innovates, and integrates.
Beyond the Click: Assessing Strategic Depth
Your initial conversations with a prospective agency are telling. Do they lead with insightful questions about your business model, customer lifetime value, and profit margins? Or do they immediately jump into a discussion about ad formats and campaign settings? A true strategic partner is obsessed with your business outcomes, not just campaign metrics like clicks and impressions. They should be focused on how display advertising can drive tangible results that align with your overarching business goals, whether that’s lead generation, e-commerce sales, or brand recall.
Consider their approach to the entire customer journey. A sophisticated partner understands that display ads are often a crucial touchpoint in a much longer conversion path. They will discuss how to integrate display campaigns with your search, social, and content marketing efforts to create a cohesive and powerful marketing ecosystem. This holistic view is the hallmark of a company invested in your long-term success.
Creative and Technical Proficiency: The Non-Negotiables
Google Display advertising is an inherently visual medium. Your partner’s ability to conceptualise, design, and produce compelling ad creative is paramount. The ads must not only capture attention in a crowded digital space but also resonate with your target audience and clearly communicate your value proposition. Ask to see examples of their creative work and inquire about their design process.
Simultaneously, their technical expertise is the engine that drives campaign efficiency. A top-tier agency will demonstrate a deep understanding of:
- Advanced Targeting: Moving beyond basic demographics to leverage custom audiences, in-market segments, and affinity groups to reach the most relevant users.
- Smart Bidding Strategies: Utilising Google’s machine learning to optimise bids for conversions, not just clicks, ensuring your budget is allocated for maximum return on investment.
- Robust Measurement and Attribution: Implementing sophisticated tracking to understand the true impact of your display ads and attribute success accurately across different channels.





