AUSTRALIAN INVOICE TEMPLATES · AUD · A4
Free Australian Tax Invoice Template
ABN & GST Ready
Create an Australian tax invoice with a clear Tax Invoice title, your ABN and GST details. Choose an editable design in Word, Excel or PDF, or fill in your invoice online.
No email required · No watermark · PDF, Excel & Word formats
Create Invoice Online
Enter your business, customer and line items. Apply one GST rate to the whole invoice, or switch it off. Review your invoice as you type.
Create an Invoice
Fill in the fields — totals calculate as you type
1YOUR BUSINESS
2BILL TO
Date format: DD/MM/YYYY. Press Arrow Down to open the calendar.
Date format: DD/MM/YYYY. Press Arrow Down to open the calendar.
3ITEMS
4GST
5DISCOUNT
6PAYMENT
Amount already received from the client
7NOTES & TERMS
One GST rate applies to all items and is calculated on the subtotal after discount. Use an editable template when different items need different tax rates or treatments.
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Choose the Right Template for Your Situation
Choose a PDF, Word or Excel design for a GST-registered seller. These single-rate layouts use 10% as a starting example; confirm the tax treatment before sending.
Fill It in Once. Reuse It Every Month.
Use Invoice Zip to keep clients and service items available for your next invoice.
Create Invoice NowWhat an Australian Tax Invoice Should Include
Use this numbered example to check the details on your Australian tax invoice. The notes explain the GST requirements, when buyer details are needed, and practical information for tracking invoices and payments.
- 1
The Words “Tax Invoice”
Use a clear “Tax Invoice” heading for a GST-registered seller’s tax invoice. The document must clearly be intended as a tax invoice. If you are not GST registered, use a regular invoice and do not charge GST. - 2
Invoice Number
Recommended for tracking bills and matching payments. Use a unique reference such as AU-2026-0142. Invoice numbering is a useful business practice; it is not one of the core tax-invoice information items in the ATO list. - 3
Date of Issue
The day the invoice is issued. Keep it consistent with your records. GST reporting timing also depends on whether you account on a cash or non-cash basis. - 4
Seller Identity and ABN
Your legal name or registered business name, and your 11-digit ABN. Use an identity that can be verified against the ABN. A sole trader may use their own name or a registered business name. - 5
Buyer Identity
The buyer’s identity or ABN is required when the total price is $1,000 or more, including GST. Below that amount it is still useful to identify who you are billing. - 6
Description of Goods or Services
Clear enough to identify what was sold, e.g. “Website redesign, 40 hours”. Use descriptions your customer can match to the work or goods supplied. - 7
Quantity and Price
Show the quantity where applicable and the price of what was supplied. Hours or the extent of the work can describe a service; keep the basis of the charge clear. - 8
Payment Terms and Details
State the agreed due date and verified payment instructions, such as bank transfer with the invoice number as the reference. These practical details help the customer pay the right amount on time. - 9
GST Amount and Rate
Show the GST payable clearly. For a wholly taxable sale where GST is exactly one-eleventh of the total price, an appropriate statement that the total includes GST may be used. Mixed supplies need a clear GST breakdown. - 10
Tax Treatment of Each Supply
Make it clear which supplies are taxable, GST-free or input taxed. The example says all line items are fully taxable. If treatment varies between items, identify it clearly for each item rather than relying on one unexplained 0% rate. - 11
GST-Inclusive Total
Make the price and GST treatment clear. If you show the net amount plus GST, label the final figure “Total including GST”. Show AUD when the dollar currency could be ambiguous.
Australian GST Rates and ABN Format
Australia has a single standard GST rate of 10%. What varies is whether a supply is taxable, GST-free or input taxed. The last two have different GST-credit consequences.
Check Registration and GST Treatment
Use an 11-digit ABN and confirm your GST registration before charging GST. A readable ABN uses the pattern XX XXX XXX XXX; spaces are a formatting aid, not a separate tax-invoice requirement.
- 01
Check GST registration
The usual GST-turnover threshold is $75,000, or $150,000 for non-profits. Taxi and passenger ride-sourcing services have special registration rules regardless of turnover.
- 02
Identify the supply
Use 10% for taxable supplies. GST-free supplies generally allow related GST credits; input-taxed supplies generally do not. Confirm the conditions for your particular sale.
- 03
Choose a reporting basis
Cash accounting follows payments received or made. Non-cash accounting generally attributes GST at the earlier of an invoice or payment. This timing does not change the 10% rate.
GST Treatment Reference
Common categories for Australian supplies. Examples are subject to the applicable conditions and exceptions.
| Category | GST charged | Related GST credits | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxable | 10% | Generally available for creditable purchases | Most goods, consulting, software and trade services |
| GST-free | No GST charged | Generally available | Qualifying basic food, health, education and export supplies |
| Input taxed | No GST charged | Generally unavailable; exceptions can apply | Residential rent and many financial supplies |
Check the official guidance:
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Compare common invoicing errors with the right approach, then check the Australian tax-invoice rules below.
A Quick Review Can Prevent a Follow-Up
Check the customer, charges, dates and tax treatment before sharing the final invoice.
WRONG
Using only “Invoice” for a GST-registered taxable sale- ABN missing or copied incorrectly
- GST hidden inside a price with no explanation
- A $1,000-or-more tax invoice with no buyer identity or ABN
- Reusing the same invoice reference for a different bill
- Treating GST-free and input-taxed supplies as the same
RIGHT
Use a clear Tax Invoice title and include the required GST information.- Verify all 11 digits. Grouping the ABN with spaces improves readability.
- Show the GST amount clearly, or use an appropriate GST-inclusive statement when permitted.
- Include the buyer’s identity or ABN once the total including GST reaches $1,000.
- Use unique references and retain links to corrections, credits and adjustments.
- Record the actual supply treatment and check the different GST-credit consequences.
Three Australian Invoice Checks
Check your invoice type, the GST treatment of the supply and the identity linked to your ABN.
- 01
Use the Right Invoice Type
A GST-registered supplier should clearly identify a tax invoice and include the required details. The intent of the document must be clear. If you are not GST registered, do not charge GST; use a regular invoice. Do not assume a title alone guarantees a GST credit.
- 02
GST-Free and Input Taxed Are Different
Both mean no GST is charged on the supply, but their input-credit treatment generally differs. GST-free supplies generally allow credits for related creditable purchases; input-taxed supplies generally do not. Check the classification rather than using an unexplained 0% entry.
- 03
Identify the Seller Behind the ABN
Use the supplier’s legal name or registered business name and the correct ABN. A sole trader may identify themselves by their personal name or registered business name. An invented trading label that does not identify the supplier is not sufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my invoice have to say “Tax Invoice”?
For a GST-registered seller’s tax invoice, use a clear Tax Invoice title and the required details. A tax invoice is generally needed to claim a GST credit on purchases above $82.50 including GST, with exceptions. Businesses that are not GST registered should use regular invoices and must not charge GST.
When must I register for GST?
You generally need to register when your current or projected GST turnover reaches $75,000, or $150,000 for a non-profit organisation. Taxi and passenger ride-sourcing services have special rules regardless of turnover. Voluntary registration below the threshold is possible.
Do I need to show the buyer's ABN?
At $1,000 or more including GST, include the buyer’s identity or ABN. The rule does not require both. Below this amount, buyer details remain useful for normal billing and record keeping.
What is the difference between GST-free and input taxed?
Neither category adds GST to the sale. GST-free supplies generally allow GST credits on related creditable purchases; input-taxed supplies generally do not. Eligible food, health, education and export supplies can be GST-free; residential rent and many financial supplies are input taxed, subject to conditions and exceptions.
Can I use one invoice template for goods and services?
Yes. Use the same basic field structure and adjust the descriptions, applicable quantities and prices. Goods usually use units; services can use hours or a clear scope. State the GST treatment of each supply when it varies.
How do I invoice an overseas client?
An overseas customer does not automatically make a sale GST-free. Check the export conditions for the particular goods or services and keep supporting evidence. Apply and describe the GST treatment that actually fits the supply.
Should I use cash or accrual accounting for GST?
Eligible businesses with aggregated turnover below $10 million can generally choose cash accounting: GST is attributed as payments are received or made, and only to the paid extent. Under the general non-cash rules, attribution is at the earlier of an invoice or payment. Other eligibility rules and special cases can apply. BAS can be monthly, quarterly or annual when eligible.
How long must I keep tax invoices?
Keep most business records for at least five years, with longer periods required in some circumstances. Paper and electronic records can be used if they remain accessible and readable. Keep invoices with the evidence supporting the sale and its GST treatment.
What if I made a mistake on a tax invoice?
Provide a corrected tax invoice when the original details are wrong or missing. If the sale price or GST treatment changes, check whether an adjustment note is required. Retain the original and the correction or adjustment record.
Can a PDF tax invoice be used?
Yes. Electronic tax invoices, including PDFs, can be used when the required information is present and the records can be retained and produced. A PDF format alone does not establish that the invoice meets every tax requirement.
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