March 2026 · 6 min read

FREE TRADIE INVOICE TEMPLATE WITH ABN & GST (AUSTRALIA)

If you're a tradie in Australia — whether you're a sole trader, subcontractor, or running a small crew — you need to be sending proper invoices. Not a text message with your bank details. Not a scribbled note on the back of a receipt. A real invoice that meets ATO requirements and makes you look professional.

Below is everything your tradie invoice needs to include, the ATO rules you need to follow, the common mistakes that cost tradies money, and an example invoice you can use as a reference.

WHAT THE ATO REQUIRES ON YOUR INVOICE

The ATO has specific rules about what must appear on an invoice, and the requirements change depending on whether you're registered for GST and whether the invoice is over or under $1,000.

Here's the full checklist:

• Your ABN — if you don't include your ABN, the client may be required to withhold 47% of the payment under the no-ABN withholding rules
• Your business name and contact details — address, phone, email
• The date of issue
• An invoice number — sequential numbering (INV-001, INV-002, etc.)
• The client's name and address
• Description of work performed — be specific, not just "labour"
• The amount charged — broken down by labour and materials if possible
• GST amount — if you're registered for GST (required if you earn over $75,000/year)
• Total amount including GST
• Payment terms — when payment is due (e.g., "Due within 14 days")
• Your bank details or payment method

If the invoice is for $1,000 or more (including GST), the ATO also requires the buyer's identity or ABN on the invoice.

EXAMPLE TRADIE INVOICE

Here's what a properly formatted tradie invoice looks like:

COMMON MISTAKES TRADIES MAKE ON INVOICES

1. NOT INCLUDING YOUR ABN

This is the biggest one. Without your ABN on the invoice, the payer may be legally required to withhold 47% of the payment and send it to the ATO. That's almost half your money held up because of a missing number.

2. VAGUE DESCRIPTIONS

Writing "labour" or "work done" isn't good enough. Be specific: "Replaced 12 damaged Merbau decking boards and sanded/oiled 42sqm deck." This protects you in disputes and helps clients understand what they paid for.

3. NOT SEPARATING LABOUR AND MATERIALS

Clients appreciate transparency. Breaking out your labour costs from material costs builds trust and reduces pushback on pricing. It also helps you track your own margins.

4. FORGETTING GST WHEN REGISTERED

If you're registered for GST, every tax invoice must show the GST amount separately. If you're not registered (earning under $75,000/year), make sure you don't charge GST — that's illegal.

5. NO PAYMENT TERMS

If you don't specify when payment is due, clients will pay whenever they feel like it. Always include clear terms: "Due within 7 days" or "Due within 14 days." It sets expectations and gives you grounds to follow up.

GST: DO YOU NEED TO CHARGE IT?

You must register for GST if your business turns over $75,000 or more per year. Once registered, you charge 10% GST on your invoices and can claim GST credits on your business expenses.

If you're under the threshold, GST registration is optional — but it can be worthwhile if you buy a lot of materials, since you can claim back the GST on those purchases.

THE BOTTOM LINE

A proper invoice isn't just paperwork — it's how you get paid on time, stay compliant with the ATO, and look like a professional operation. It takes two minutes to set up a template with your ABN, business details, and bank info. After that, you just fill in the job details and send it.

Or let TheBrickBook handle it. Log your job, tap "Generate Invoice," and it builds a compliant invoice from your job data — including labour, materials, GST, and payment terms. No typing, no formatting, no mistakes.