Quick answer
To start invoicing in Australia: register for an ABN (free, ~10 minutes), work out whether you need to charge GST (only once you hit $75,000 turnover), choose an invoicing tool — you don’t need full accounting software — create a compliant invoice with your ABN and the client’s details, and send it as a PDF by email. The five steps below walk through each one.
Note: this is general information, not tax or legal advice. Check the ATO and ABR websites for your specific situation.
Step 1: Get an ABN (it’s free)
An Australian Business Number identifies your business to the ATO and your clients. You can legally invoice without one, but if you do, a business client is required to withhold 47% of your payment as tax. That alone is reason enough to get one.
Apply free at the Australian Business Register (abr.gov.au). It usually takes about 10 minutes and you often get your ABN immediately. You’ll need your tax file number and a description of your business activity.
Step 2: Decide whether you need to charge GST
You must register for GST once your turnover reaches $75,000 in any rolling 12-month period (different thresholds apply to non-profits and rideshare drivers). Below that, registration is optional.
- Not registered: don’t charge GST, don’t label the document “Tax Invoice”, and don’t show a GST amount.
- Registered: add 10% GST, call it a “Tax Invoice”, and show the GST amount separately.
Not sure which applies? Our guide to invoicing when you’re not registered for GST breaks it down.
Step 3: Pick an invoicing tool
You do not need Xero or MYOB to send a legal invoice. Those are full accounting platforms — powerful, but overkill (and overpriced) if all you need is to invoice and get paid. A focused invoicing tool like Free Invoice App lets you create an ATO-ready invoice, export a clean PDF, and email it, starting free.
The benefit of a tool over a Word template: it numbers your invoices automatically, calculates GST for you, stores your client list, and tracks what’s been paid — all of which matter once you have more than a handful of invoices.
Step 4: Build a compliant invoice
An Australian tax invoice needs, at minimum:
- The words “Tax Invoice” (only if you’re GST-registered)
- Your business name and ABN
- A unique invoice number and the issue date
- A clear description of what you supplied
- The total amount payable (and GST, if registered)
- The buyer’s identity or ABN for invoices over $1,000
- Your payment terms and bank details
For the full breakdown, see what must be on a tax invoice in Australia.
Step 5: Send it as a PDF
Always send the invoice as a PDF, never an editable Word doc — it looks professional and can’t be accidentally altered. Put the key facts in the subject line and keep the email short:
Subject: Invoice #0001 ($800) from [Your business] — due 14 May Hi [Client name], Please find attached invoice #0001 for $800, due 14 May. Payment details are on the invoice and below for convenience: Account name: [Your business] BSB: [BSB] Account: [Number] Reference: INV-0001 Thanks — happy to answer any questions. [Your name]
You’re invoice-ready
That’s the whole process. Once your ABN is sorted and you’ve picked a tool, you can send a professional invoice in under a minute — and every one after that is faster because your details and client list are saved.
Free Invoice App gets you from sign-up to a sent, ATO-ready invoice in about 60 seconds, no credit card required. Create your account and send your first invoice today.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an ABN before I can invoice in Australia?
You can legally invoice without one, but a business client must then withhold 47% of the payment as tax. An ABN is free and takes about 10 minutes via the ABR, so get one first.
Do I have to register for GST to start invoicing?
No. You only must register once turnover hits $75,000 in a 12-month period. Below that you can invoice without charging GST.
What software do I need to send my first invoice?
Not full accounting software. A free invoicing tool like Free Invoice App lets you create a compliant invoice, export a PDF, and email it in under a minute.
How do I actually send the invoice to my client?
Export it as a PDF and email it with a short, professional message. Put the invoice number, amount, and due date in the subject line and include your bank details in the body too.