If your Australian business is registered for GST, your invoice needs to do more than ask for payment. It needs to work as a tax invoice. That means the GST information has to be clear enough for your customer, your records, and the ATO. Here is the structure to use.
Who needs a GST invoice template?
You need this template if you are registered for GST and you sell taxable goods or services in Australia. In everyday language, people call it a GST invoice. The formal wording is usually “Tax Invoice.”
If you are not registered for GST, do not use this template as-is. Use a regular invoice instead and leave GST off the invoice.
GST invoice checklist
The words “Tax Invoice”
Your business name
Your ABN
The invoice date
A unique invoice number
The customer’s name or business name
A description of what was sold
Quantity, rate and amount for each line item
The GST amount payable or a clear statement that the total includes GST
The total amount due
Payment terms and payment methods
For sales of $1,000 or more, the buyer’s identity or ABN
Free GST invoice template
Use this as a starting point and adjust the line items to match your work.
[Your Business Name]
ABN: [Your ABN]
[Address] | [Phone] | [Email]
Tax Invoice
Invoice #: INV-001
Issue Date: [Date]
Due Date: [Date]
Bill To:
[Customer Name or Business Name]
[Customer Address or Email]
[Customer ABN if sale is $1,000 or more]
Description | Qty | Unit Price | GST | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
[Service or product] | [1] | $[amount] | $[GST] | $[total] |
[Materials or second line item] | [1] | $[amount] | $[GST] | $[total] |
Subtotal excluding GST: $[amount]
GST: $[amount]
Total including GST: $[amount]
Payment methods: [Bank transfer / Card / Payment link]
Bank details: [Account name, BSB, account number]
Payment due by [date]. Thank you for your business.
How to show GST
The cleanest format is to show the subtotal excluding GST, then the GST amount, then the total including GST. That makes the math easy for the customer and avoids back-and-forth with their bookkeeper.
Example
Item | Amount |
|---|---|
Subtotal excluding GST | $1,000.00 |
GST | $100.00 |
Total including GST | $1,100.00 |
Common GST invoice mistakes
Using “Tax Invoice” when not registered for GST. Only GST-registered businesses should issue tax invoices.
Forgetting the ABN. Your ABN is required and expected on Australian business invoices.
Not identifying GST clearly. A client should not have to guess whether GST is included.
Missing buyer details on larger sales. For sales of $1,000 or more, include the buyer’s identity or ABN.
No due date. A compliant invoice can still be slow to pay if the payment terms are vague.
Use software when invoices become regular
A template is fine when you send the occasional invoice. Once invoicing becomes part of your weekly workflow, software saves time and reduces mistakes. Clervo helps you create consistent invoices, reuse client details, track payment status, and follow up on overdue invoices from your phone.
When to send the invoice
Send the invoice as soon as the work is complete, the product is delivered, or the milestone is approved. The longer you wait, the easier it is for the job to fall out of the client’s normal payment run.
If a customer asks for a tax invoice and you are registered for GST, you have 28 days to provide it. In practice, sending it immediately is cleaner for everyone: your customer gets the record they need, and you get paid sooner.
How this changes for deposits
If you take a deposit before starting work, issue an invoice for the deposit amount and make the payment terms clear. For GST-registered businesses, the GST treatment can depend on the structure of the payment and sale, so keep your accountant’s advice close if you regularly take deposits or progress payments.
For most small operators, the practical rule is simple: do not leave deposits floating in email threads. Put them on an invoice, record what the payment relates to, and make the remaining balance obvious.
This article is for general information only and is not tax or accounting advice. Check the latest ATO guidance or speak with a registered tax professional for your situation.
Last updated: September 2026