Invoice examples Australia sole traders and small businesses can copy are below: eight complete invoices, laid out the way you'd send them, with every total checked. They cover a sole trader with no GST, a tax invoice under $1,000, a services invoice over $1,000, GST-inclusive pricing, a tradie job, a mix of GST-free and taxable items, a deposit and a paid invoice. Under each one: what makes it valid, the mistake people make with that type, and the free tool that produces it.
| Example | Use it when | Heading | GST shown |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Sole trader, no GST | You're not registered for GST | "Invoice" | None |
| 2. Tax invoice under $1,000 | Registered, everyday job | "Tax Invoice" | Separate line |
| 3. Services, $1,000+ | Hourly or project work for a business | "Tax Invoice" | Separate line |
| 4. GST-inclusive | Your prices already include GST | "Tax Invoice" | "Includes GST" |
| 5. Tradie labour + materials | Call-outs, parts, hours | "Tax Invoice" | Separate line |
| 6. Mixed GST-free items | Some items have no GST | "Tax Invoice" | Taxable items only |
| 7. Deposit | Part-payment before work starts | "Tax Invoice" | On the deposit |
| 8. Paid invoice | Confirming payment received | "Tax Invoice" + PAID | As originally issued |
Every business, person and ABN in these examples is fictional. The ABNs are placeholders that fail the ABN checksum, and the BSB and account numbers are zeros. Prices are illustrative, not recommended rates.
What does an invoice look like in Australia?
An Australian invoice is usually one page with five blocks: a heading and number, who it's from (name and ABN), who it's to, an itemised list with quantities and prices, and the total with payment details. If you're registered for GST it's headed "Tax Invoice" and shows the GST. If you're not, it's headed "Invoice" and shows no GST at all.
There's no single mandatory layout. What the ATO cares about is the information on a tax invoice, not where it sits. This is the standard invoice format every example below follows:
| Block | What goes in it | Required on a tax invoice? |
|---|---|---|
| Heading and number | "Tax Invoice" or "Invoice", plus a unique number | Heading required |
| From | Business name, ABN, contact details | Name and ABN required |
| To | Client name, plus ABN for business clients | Required from $1,000 |
| Dates | Issue date, due date | Issue date required |
| Line items | Description, quantity, rate, amount | Required |
| Totals | Subtotal, GST, total | GST amount required |
| Payment | BSB and account, or PayID, and terms | Not required, but you won't get paid without it |
The full rules, including the $1,000 buyer rule, are in our tax invoice requirements checklist.
Example 1: Sole trader invoice with no GST
A sole trader who isn't registered for GST sends a plain "Invoice" with their ABN and no GST line. The total is simply the sum of the line items, and that's the amount the client pays.
INVOICE No. 2026-014 · Issued 10 October 2026 · Due 24 October 2026
From: Maya Ortiz Photography, ABN 12 345 678 901, 0400 000 000
To: Bayside Physio Pty Ltd, 22 Bay Rd, Brighton VIC 3186
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staff headshot session (hours) | 2 | $150.00 | $300.00 |
| Edited and retouched images | 12 | $15.00 | $180.00 |
| Travel to client premises | 1 | $40.00 | $40.00 |
| Total payable | $520.00 | ||
No GST has been charged. The supplier is not registered for GST. Pay to BSB 000-000, account 0000 0000, reference 2026-014.
Why it's valid: It's headed "Invoice", quotes an ABN and has a unique number, date, itemised lines and a total. The ATO says that if you're not registered for GST, your invoices should not include the words "tax invoice".
The mistake: Adding 10% "because everyone else does", or heading it "Tax Invoice". The ATO says a supplier that isn't registered cannot charge GST, and the client can't claim a credit for it. Leaving off the ABN is the other expensive one: a business client may have to withhold the top tax rate (47%) from the payment.
Make it: the no-GST invoice template or the sole trader invoice generator with GST set to 0%.
Example 2: Tax invoice example under $1,000
A tax invoice under $1,000 shows "Tax Invoice", the seller's name and ABN, the date, the items, and the GST as its own line. The buyer's name is optional at this size but still worth including.
TAX INVOICE No. INV-0213 · Issued 10 October 2026 · Due 17 October 2026
From: Spotless Lane Cleaning, ABN 23 456 789 012, 0400 000 000
To: Jane Nguyen, 14 Ridge St, Ringwood VIC 3134
| Description | Qty | Rate (ex GST) | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| End-of-lease clean, 3-bedroom house | 1 | $380.00 | $380.00 |
| Oven deep clean | 1 | $85.00 | $85.00 |
| Carpet steam clean (rooms) | 3 | $45.00 | $135.00 |
| Subtotal | $600.00 | ||
| GST (10%) | $60.00 | ||
| Total including GST | $660.00 | ||
Why it's valid: It has all seven details the ATO lists for tax invoices under $1,000. Every line is taxable, so the single GST line makes the extent of each taxable sale clear.
The mistake: A GST line that just says "incl." with no dollar figure. The client's bookkeeper can't see what to claim. Show the $60.00, or use the exact ATO wording "Total price includes GST" (Example 4).
Make it: the Australian tax invoice generator, which defaults to "Tax Invoice" with 10% GST.
Example 3: Invoice example for services billed hourly ($1,000+)
A services invoice of $1,000 or more must also show the buyer's identity or ABN. Hourly work should show the hours and the rate on each line, so the client can check the maths against your timesheet.
TAX INVOICE No. HC-0042 · Issued 10 October 2026 · Due 9 November 2026 (30 days)
From: Priya Shah trading as Harbourline Consulting, ABN 34 567 890 123
To: Coastal Freight Pty Ltd, ABN 45 678 901 234, attn: Accounts Payable · PO 7781
| Description | Hours | Rate (ex GST) | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warehouse process review workshop, 2 Oct | 6 | $165.00 | $990.00 |
| Written recommendations report | 4 | $165.00 | $660.00 |
| Follow-up calls with operations team | 1.5 | $165.00 | $247.50 |
| Subtotal | $1,897.50 | ||
| GST (10%) | $189.75 | ||
| Total including GST | $2,087.25 | ||
Why it's valid: The total is over $1,000, so the ATO requires the buyer's identity or ABN, and both are shown. The client's purchase order number isn't a tax requirement, but many accounts teams won't pay without it.
The mistake: Leaving the "To" block as just "Coastal Freight" or a contact's first name on a $2,087 invoice. It's the most commonly missed tax invoice requirement, and the client's bookkeeper will bounce it back.
Make it: the consultant invoice template, which has the client ABN field built in.
Sending Coastal Freight the same invoice every month and retyping their ABN and PO each time? That's where a free PDF tool stops being enough. InvoiceSonic, from the same team, saves clients for reuse on its free plan. Pro (A$19/month) adds recurring invoices that go out on schedule and custom branding with no footer, so every invoice looks like it came from the same business.
Example 4: GST-inclusive invoice ("Total price includes GST")
If your prices already include GST, you can list them as they are and add the statement "Total price includes GST". The ATO allows this only when the GST is exactly one-eleventh of the total, which it is when every item is taxable.
TAX INVOICE No. 5521 · Issued 10 October 2026 · Paid at counter
From: Studio Nine Hair, ABN 56 789 012 345, Shop 3, 40 Main St, Mornington VIC 3931
To: Walk-in client
| Description | Qty | Price (inc GST) | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut and blow-dry | 1 | $88.00 | $88.00 |
| Full head colour | 1 | $165.00 | $165.00 |
| Bond-repair treatment | 1 | $33.00 | $33.00 |
| Total (total price includes GST) | $286.00 | ||
| GST included (one-eleventh) | $26.00 | ||
Why it's valid: All items are taxable, and $286.00 ÷ 11 = $26.00, so the statement "Total price includes GST" satisfies the GST requirement. Showing the $26.00 as well is optional but helps business customers claiming a credit.
The mistake: Working out the GST as 10% of the inclusive total ($28.60). That overstates it by $2.60. Divide by 11, not by 10. The GST calculator does it both ways.
Make it: the tax invoice generator with "Prices include GST" ticked.
Example 5: Tradie invoice with labour and materials
A detailed tradie invoice splits labour, call-out and each material onto separate lines rather than one lump sum. Clients query lump sums; itemised invoices get paid.
TAX INVOICE No. BW-1187 · Issued 10 October 2026 · Due 24 October 2026
From: Brightwire Electrical, ABN 67 890 123 456, electrical contractor licence no. 000000
To: Tom Brooks · Job address: 8 Wattle Ct, Frankston VIC 3199 · Work done 8 October 2026
| Description | Qty | Rate (ex GST) | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Call-out fee | 1 | $90.00 | $90.00 |
| Labour: replace downlights, install smoke alarms (hours) | 3.5 | $110.00 | $385.00 |
| LED downlight, dimmable | 8 | $32.50 | $260.00 |
| 240V interconnected smoke alarm | 2 | $68.00 | $136.00 |
| Cable, connectors and fittings | 1 | $45.00 | $45.00 |
| Subtotal | $916.00 | ||
| GST (10%) | $91.60 | ||
| Total including GST | $1,007.60 | ||
Why it's valid: The subtotal is under $1,000 but the GST-inclusive total isn't, so the buyer's identity is required. For a householder, their name does the job. The job address and work date aren't tax requirements but stop "which job was this?" emails.
The mistake: "Electrical work as discussed: $1,007.60". It's legal if the other details are there, but it's the invoice most likely to be disputed, and you can't show the client that materials were a third of the bill.
Make it: the electrician invoice template, which has the licence number and job address fields.
Example 6: Invoice with GST-free and taxable items
When an invoice mixes GST-free and taxable items, it must show which items are taxable and charge GST only on those. Mark each line and give the GST-free and taxable subtotals separately.
TAX INVOICE No. GC-3309 · Issued 10 October 2026 · Due 24 October 2026
From: Green Crate Produce, ABN 78 901 234 567
To: The Corner Bean Café, ABN 89 012 345 678
| Description | Qty | Rate (ex GST) | GST? | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh tomatoes (kg) | 10 | $6.50 | GST-free | $65.00 |
| Avocados (trays) | 3 | $42.00 | GST-free | $126.00 |
| Mixed salad leaves (kg) | 4 | $14.00 | GST-free | $56.00 |
| Sparkling mineral water, 24 × 330 ml (cartons) | 3 | $28.00 | Taxable | $84.00 |
| Potato chips, 24 × 45 g (cartons) | 2 | $36.00 | Taxable | $72.00 |
| GST-free items | $247.00 | |||
| Taxable items | $156.00 | |||
| GST (10% of taxable items) | $15.60 | |||
| Total | $418.60 | |||
Why it's valid: The ATO says a tax invoice with taxable and non-taxable items must clearly show which items are taxable, the GST and the total. Fresh fruit and vegetables are on the ATO's GST-free food list; carbonated water and potato chips are taxable.
The mistake: Running 10% across the whole $403.00 and charging $40.30 GST instead of $15.60. The café overpays and the supplier reports GST it didn't owe.
Make it: our free generators apply one GST rate to the whole invoice, so for a mixed order either send the GST-free and taxable items on two invoices, or work out the taxable part with the GST calculator and set the invoice out as above.
Example 7: Deposit (part-payment) invoice
A deposit invoice bills part of an accepted quote up front, labelled as a deposit and tied to the quote number. Showing the quote total and the balance still to come stops the client thinking the deposit is the whole price.
TAX INVOICE: DEPOSIT No. INV-0087 · Issued 15 September 2026 · Due 22 September 2026
From: Oakridge Carpentry, ABN 90 123 456 789
To: Liam Patel · 3 Banksia Way, Mount Martha VIC 3934 · Re: accepted quote Q-0031
| Description | Qty | Rate (ex GST) | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25% deposit on quote Q-0031: hardwood deck, 4.8 m × 3.6 m ($8,000.00 ex GST) | 1 | $2,000.00 | $2,000.00 |
| GST (10%) | $200.00 | ||
| Deposit due | $2,200.00 | ||
| Quote total including GST | $8,800.00 | ||
| Balance to be invoiced on completion | $6,600.00 | ||
Why it's valid: It's a tax invoice for a part-payment of the agreed price, and at $2,200 it names the buyer. A refundable bond held as security is treated differently for GST; the ATO covers that in GSTR 2006/2, so check with your tax agent if that's what you're taking.
The mistake: Billing the full $8,000 + $800 GST on the final invoice and subtracting the $2,200 at the bottom, after GST. The client pays the right amount, but the two invoices now show $1,000 of GST on an $8,000 job. Example 8 shows the clean way.
Make it: send the quote from the quote generator, then the deposit from the tax invoice generator with the title changed to "TAX INVOICE: DEPOSIT".
Example 8: Paid invoice example
A paid invoice is the original invoice re-sent with the payment recorded: amount, date, method and a balance due of $0.00, usually stamped PAID. It keeps the same number so both of your records match.
TAX INVOICE: PAID No. INV-0094 · Issued 6 October 2026 · Paid 9 October 2026
From: Oakridge Carpentry, ABN 90 123 456 789
To: Liam Patel · 3 Banksia Way, Mount Martha VIC 3934 · Re: quote Q-0031
| Description | Qty | Rate (ex GST) | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood deck, 4.8 m × 3.6 m, per quote Q-0031 | 1 | $8,000.00 | $8,000.00 |
| Approved variation: extra step and handrail (2 Oct) | 1 | $450.00 | $450.00 |
| Less deposit invoiced on INV-0087 (ex GST) | 1 | −$2,000.00 | −$2,000.00 |
| Subtotal | $6,450.00 | ||
| GST (10%) | $645.00 | ||
| Total including GST | $7,095.00 | ||
| Paid 9 October 2026, bank transfer | −$7,095.00 | ||
| Balance due | $0.00 PAID | ||
Why it's valid: Deducting the deposit before GST means the GST across the two invoices is $200 + $645 = $845, exactly 10% of the $8,450 job. The customer paid $2,200 + $7,095 = $9,295 in total, which is $8,450 plus $845 GST.
The mistake: Marking an invoice PAID without the date and method, or issuing a new number for the paid copy. Then nobody can match it to the bank statement. If the customer wants a separate document, send a receipt that references INV-0094.
Make it: in the tax invoice generator, enter the $2,000 deposit as a fixed-amount discount and the payment in "Amount paid"; the balance drops to $0.00. For a standalone receipt, use the receipt generator.
What is the proper invoice format? Five rules every example follows
The proper invoice format in Australia is the one that lets your client pay and claim GST without asking a question. Every example above follows the same five rules, whatever the business.
- The heading matches your GST status. "Tax Invoice" if registered, "Invoice" if not.
- One number per invoice, never reused. Paid copies and reminders keep the original number.
- Quantity × rate on every line. Hours, kilograms, rooms, units: the client should be able to check each amount.
- GST is visible. As a separate line, or as "Total price includes GST" when it's exactly one-eleventh.
- The buyer is named from $1,000. Name or ABN, judged on the GST-inclusive total.
Not sure whether you should be adding GST at all? Read do I add GST to my invoice? before you copy Examples 2 to 8.
Is a sales invoice different from a tax invoice?
No. "Sales invoice" just means the invoice the seller issues, as opposed to a bill you receive. In Australia, a sales invoice from a GST-registered business is a tax invoice and must meet the tax invoice rules; from an unregistered business it's a plain invoice like Example 1.
Your next step
Pick the example closest to your job, open the matching tool, and replace our numbers with yours. The free Australian tax invoice generator handles Examples 2 to 8 with GST worked out both ways; the sole trader generator covers Example 1. No signup, and the PDF is yours.
If you're making these every week for the same clients, the retyping adds up. InvoiceSonic keeps your clients and invoice history on its free plan. Pro (A$19/month, 7-day trial) adds recurring invoices, custom branding, and quotes clients accept online that turn into the invoice. That covers Examples 3, 7 and 8 without starting from a blank page each time.
This article is general information, not tax advice. For your circumstances, check the ATO's tax invoices page or a registered tax agent.
Frequently asked questions
What does a tax invoice look like in Australia?
It is headed 'Tax Invoice' and shows the seller's name and ABN, the date, each item with quantity and price, and the GST amount (or the words 'Total price includes GST'). It must make clear which items are taxable, and from $1,000 it must also show the buyer's name or ABN.
What should an invoice look like if I'm not registered for GST?
Head it 'Invoice', not 'Tax Invoice'. Include your name, ABN, the date, an invoice number, the client, the items with prices and the total, with no GST line. A note such as 'No GST has been charged' is optional.
What is the standard invoice format in Australia?
There is no single mandatory layout. A standard invoice has a heading and number, the seller's name and ABN, the client, the issue and due dates, itemised lines with quantity, rate and amount, a subtotal, GST if registered, the total, and payment details such as BSB and account number or PayID.
How do I show a deposit on an invoice?
Send a separate invoice for the deposit that references the quote. On the final invoice, deduct the deposit before GST is calculated so the GST on both invoices adds up to 10% of the job and the deposit's GST isn't counted twice.
What is a paid invoice?
It is a copy of the original invoice showing the payment received, the payment date and method, and a balance due of $0.00, often marked PAID. It keeps the same invoice number. If the customer wants a separate document, issue a receipt that references the invoice number.
Turn any example into your own invoice
Tax invoice or no-GST invoice, PDF in under a minute. Free, no signup.
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