What is an invoice template for Australia?
An Australian invoice template is a ready-made invoice layout with a place for everything Australian clients and the ATO expect: your name and ABN, an invoice number, the dates, the work itemised with prices, the total, and how to pay you. Fill in the one above and download a PDF, or download a Word or Excel copy below. Which version you need depends on one thing: whether you are registered for GST.
Download a free invoice template (Word or Excel)
Both templates come in Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx). They open in Microsoft Office, Google Docs and Sheets, Apple Pages and Numbers, and LibreOffice. The Excel versions calculate line totals, GST and the total for you; in Word you type the numbers yourself.
| Template | Use it if | Word | Excel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invoice (no GST) Title: INVOICE | You have an ABN but are not registered for GST | Download .docx | Download .xlsx |
| Tax invoice (10% GST) Title: TAX INVOICE | You are registered for GST and making a taxable sale | Download .docx | Download .xlsx |
In the Excel files the GST rate is a single cell you can set to 0% or 10%, and the GST and total update. In both files, replace every [bracketed] placeholder and delete the example row before you send it. Then save or export the invoice as a PDF, so the client can't edit it and the layout holds on their screen.
Which Australian invoice template do you need?
Pick the template by your GST status first, then by your type of work. Using “Tax Invoice” when you are not registered for GST is the most common mistake: the ATO says those invoices should not include the words “tax invoice”.
| Your situation | Template | Title | GST |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABN, not registered for GST (usually turnover under $75,000) | This page, or the ABN invoice template | Invoice | None |
| Want the no-GST wording spelled out | No GST invoice template | Invoice | None |
| Registered for GST | Tax invoice template | Tax Invoice | 10% shown |
| Sole trader, either way | Sole trader invoice generator | Either | Either |
| Client has already paid | Receipt generator | Receipt | As charged |
| Pricing a job before you start | Quote generator | Quote | As it will be charged |
Not sure of your GST status? Search your ABN on ABN Lookup; the record shows whether you are registered. The $75,000 GST threshold guide explains when you have to register.
What to put on an Australian invoice
Every Australian invoice should show who you are, who you're billing, what you supplied, how much it costs and how to pay. A tax invoice must also meet the ATO's minimum list; the template above has a field for each.
- The word “Invoice”, or “Tax Invoice” if you are registered for GST
- Your business or trading name, ABN, address and contact details
- The client's name, plus their ABN on a tax invoice of $1,000 or more
- A unique invoice number, the issue date and the due date
- Each item or service with quantity, price and line amount
- The subtotal, any 10% GST, and the total due
- Payment details: account name, BSB and account number, or PayID
- Your payment terms, such as 7 or 14 days
For the rule behind each item, see tax invoice requirements in Australia. For numbering, see how to number invoices, and for wording your bank details safely, see bank details on an invoice.
Invoice template example (filled in)
Here is the template filled in by a cleaner who has an ABN but is not registered for GST. It shows a plain invoice: no “Tax Invoice” title and no GST line.
| Field | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Title and number | INVOICE · INV-0042 |
| From | Sparkle Home Cleaning · your 11-digit ABN · email and mobile |
| Bill to | J. Nguyen, 14 Example St, Brunswick VIC |
| Dates | Issued 3 Nov 2026 · Due 17 Nov 2026 (14 days) |
| Items | Fortnightly clean, 3 hrs × $55 = $165.00 Oven clean, 1 × $80 = $80.00 |
| Total | $245.00 (no GST charged) |
| Payment | BSB and account number, or PayID; reference INV-0042 |
If the same cleaner were registered for GST, the title would change to TAX INVOICE and a GST line of $24.50 would bring the total to $269.50. The tax invoice template has that version worked through, and our Australian invoice examples cover other trades.
Word, Excel, PDF or online: which template format is best?
Use Excel if you want a file that does the maths, Word if you want full control of the look, and the online template if you just want a correct PDF fast. Whatever you use, send a PDF.
| Format | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Word / Google Docs | Restyling, adding terms and a logo | Totals and GST are typed by hand |
| Excel / Google Sheets | Automatic line totals, GST and totals | Formulas break if you delete the wrong cells |
| Sending: layout is fixed and hard to alter | Keep your editable copy or generator data | |
| Online template (above) | Everything calculated, details remembered, PDF in one click | Data is saved in this browser only |
How to fill in the invoice template, step by step
- Set the titleINVOICE if you are not registered for GST; TAX INVOICE with GST at 10% if you are.
- Add your detailsBusiness name, ABN, address and contact details, plus your logo. They are saved in your browser for next time.
- Add the clientTheir name and address; add their ABN on a tax invoice of $1,000 or more.
- Number and date itUse the next number in your sequence, today's date and a due date.
- List the workOne line per item or service. Amounts, GST and the total calculate as you type.
- Add payment details and termsBSB and account number or PayID, and when payment is due. See invoice payment terms.
- Download, send and keep a copyEmail the PDF and file your own copy; business records generally have to be kept for at least 5 years.
Invoice templates by trade and industry
These start with the line items and notes each trade usually needs:
Tradie · Electrician · Plumber · Carpenter · Mechanic · Cleaner · Gardener · Pest control · Contractor · Consultant · Freelancer · Graphic designer · Photographer · Musician · Hairdresser · Tutor · Rideshare driver
Invoice template FAQs
Is there an official ATO invoice template?
No. The ATO sets the information a tax invoice must contain but does not issue a fillable template. Any layout works, including this one, as long as it shows the required details.
Can I use this invoice template if I am not registered for GST?
Yes. The online template starts as a plain Invoice with GST at 0%, and the no-GST Word and Excel downloads are set up the same way. Do not call it a tax invoice or add GST until you are registered.
Do I need an ABN on my invoice?
If you invoice a business, in practice yes. Without an ABN the business generally has to withhold 47% of the payment. GST-registered businesses must show their ABN on every tax invoice. More in do I need an ABN to invoice?
Which is better, the Word or the Excel template?
Excel, if you want the line totals, GST and total calculated for you. Word is easier to restyle but you work out the numbers yourself. The online version calculates everything and saves a PDF in one click.
Is the invoice template free?
Yes. The online template and all downloads are free, with no signup and no watermark.
This page is general information, not tax advice. For your situation, check the ATO or talk to a registered tax agent.
Create your invoice now
Fill in the template above and download a clean PDF. Free, no signup.