Invoice or tax invoice?
The answer turns on your GST registration.
-Registered for GST: the ATO says your invoices should be called tax invoices and must include the details it lists. Use the tax invoice generator.
- Not registered: you cannot charge GST, so do not add it and do not use the words "tax invoice". Set GST to 0% and keep the title as Invoice. Your customers cannot claim GST credits on your sales.
You must register for GST once your GST turnover is $75,000 or more ($150,000 for non-profit organisations), and you have 21 days to do it. Taxi, limousine and ride-sourcing drivers must register whatever their turnover. If you are close to the threshold, the ATO explains how to work out your GST turnover.
What a regular invoice should show
No law sets out what goes on a regular invoice, but business.gov.au recommends:
- the word "invoice"
- your business name and ABN
- a unique invoice number and the date you issued it
- your contact details
- a description of the goods or services, with quantity and price
- the buyer's name or business name
- when and how you want to be paid
Quote your ABN to avoid withholding
Your ABN is an 11-digit number, and it belongs on every invoice. If a supplier does not quote an ABN and the payment is more than $75 excluding GST, the business paying generally has to withhold 47% of the payment and send it to the ATO. There are exceptions, such as hobby activities or wholly private sales, but showing your ABN avoids the question and gets you paid in full.
Payment terms
business.gov.au notes that credit terms of 7, 14, 21 or 31 days are common between businesses. This generator defaults to 14 days; pick another term and the due date changes to match. Say how you want to be paid, usually by bank transfer, and ask customers to use the invoice number as their payment reference. If you plan to charge interest on late payments, agree it in writing before you start the work, then use the late fee calculator to work out the amount.
Frequently asked questions
Can I charge GST if I'm not registered?
No. The ATO says a supplier that is not registered or required to be registered for GST cannot charge GST, and customers cannot claim GST credits on those purchases. Leave GST off your invoice, and do not call it a tax invoice until you are registered.
Do I need an ABN to send an invoice?
You can send an invoice without one, but business customers generally have to withhold 47% from payments over $75 (excluding GST) to a supplier who has not quoted an ABN, unless an exception applies. If you run a business, apply for an ABN through the Australian Business Register and add it to every invoice.
When do I have to register for GST?
When your GST turnover reaches $75,000 a year, or $150,000 for a non-profit organisation. You then have 21 days to register. Taxi and ride-sourcing drivers must register regardless of turnover. Until you are registered, your invoices should show no GST and should not be titled tax invoice.
Is the generator set up for Australian invoices?
Yes. It uses Australian dollars, A4 paper and a GST tax label, and the PDF is created on your device, so your invoice data never leaves the browser. It is free with no sign-up and no watermark; free PDFs carry one small footer line crediting invoicegenerators.net.