Strategy, IT, management or HR consulting — a consultant's invoice should look as polished as the advice. This free template bills by hour, day or project, adds GST and your ABN, and exports a clean PDF.
Skip the download — generate your consultant invoice online for free. It fills the template, calculates GST and totals, and exports a PDF in under a minute.
What to put on a consultant invoice
Common lines on a consultant's invoice include:
- Consulting fee — hours or days × rate
- Fixed project / engagement fee
- Retainer for the period
- Travel and accommodation
- Reimbursable expenses
- Deposit or milestone already paid
Plus the essentials every Australian invoice needs: your business name and ABN, the client's details, a unique invoice number and dates, the total (with 10% GST if you're registered), and your payment details. See how to write an invoice and the tax invoice requirements.
A tip for consultants
Day rates and retainers are common in consulting — put the rate and the number of units clearly on each line. Larger corporate clients often run Net 30, so state a firm due date and follow up promptly if it slips.
GST and your ABN
GST registration depends on your turnover and the work you do. For most businesses, the ATO registration threshold is $75,000 in current or projected annual GST turnover; ride-sourcing has a different rule. If you are GST-registered and the supply is taxable, show GST and use “Tax Invoice”. If you are not registered, use “Invoice” and do not charge GST. See our GST guide and ABN guide.
Worked consultant invoice example
Example: discovery and advisory work. The figures are illustrative, not recommended rates. Copy the descriptions into the Australian invoice generator and replace the quantities and prices with your own.
| Line item | Qty | Rate before GST | Amount before GST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery workshop | 2 | $160.00 | $320.00 |
| Written recommendations | 1 | $420.00 | $420.00 |
| Subtotal | $740.00 | ||
| GST at 10%, if registered and supply is taxable | $74.00 | ||
| Total including GST | $814.00 | ||
Make this useful for your client: Name the project and period covered. If a retainer includes a set number of hours, show the period and any extra hours separately. If you are not registered for GST, use “Invoice”, set GST to zero, and remove the GST line. Check the ATO tax invoice requirements before sending a tax invoice.
For more detail, read the related consultants invoicing guide. Need to send recurring retainers and follow up unpaid invoices? InvoiceSonic, from the same team, handles sending and tracking; this site's free tool creates a PDF for you to send yourself.
Frequently asked questions
How should a consultant invoice a client?
Itemise your fee (hourly, daily or fixed), add any expenses, show GST if registered, and include clear payment terms and details. Reference any PO number the client gave you.
Do consultants need to register for GST?
Once your turnover reaches $75,000 a year, yes. Then you charge 10% GST and issue tax invoices.
Is the consultant invoice template free?
Yes — no signup, no watermark, unlimited invoices.
General information, not tax advice — check the ATO for your situation. Related: Freelancer · Sole Trader Invoice Generator.
Make your consultant invoice now
Free, no signup, PDF download in under a minute.
Open the invoice generator