Free Sole Trader Invoice Template Australia

ATO-compliant invoicing for self-employed individuals — with or without GST registration.

As a sole trader in Australia, your invoicing obligations depend on whether you are registered for GST. If your annual turnover is under $75,000, GST registration is optional and you can issue a standard ABN invoice without adding GST. If you are GST-registered, your invoice must be titled "Tax Invoice" and show the 10% GST amount separately.

Our sole trader invoice template handles both scenarios. Simply indicate whether you charge GST and the form adjusts automatically. Your ABN, business name, and all ATO-required fields are included. No accounting software subscription needed — create, preview, and download your PDF in under a minute.

Start billing your clients now with our free invoice generator. No account required, no data stored on our servers.

  • Works for both GST-registered and non-GST sole traders
  • Displays your ABN prominently as required by the ATO
  • Instant PDF download — no account or subscription needed
  • Covers consulting, trades, creative, and professional services
Invoice Generator Australia — create professional GST invoices in seconds on desktop and mobile

What must a sole trader invoice include?

The ATO sets clear rules for what belongs on an invoice depending on whether you charge GST:

Not registered for GST

Your invoice should include:

  • Your full name or business name
  • Your ABN (11-digit number)
  • Date of the invoice
  • Description of goods or services
  • Total amount charged (no GST line)
  • Payment terms and bank details

Do NOT title it "Tax Invoice" — you are not a tax invoice issuer without GST registration.

Registered for GST

Your invoice must also include:

  • The heading "Tax Invoice"
  • Your ABN
  • GST amount (10%) shown separately, or the statement "Total price includes GST"
  • For sales over $1,000: buyer's name or ABN

Our generator handles all of this automatically when you enable the GST option.

Do sole traders need to charge GST?

GST registration is compulsory once your annual turnover reaches $75,000 (or $150,000 for non-profit organisations). Below that threshold, registration is optional. Many sole traders choose to register voluntarily because it allows them to claim GST credits on business expenses — but it also requires you to lodge a Business Activity Statement (BAS) regularly.

If you are unsure whether to register, visit the ATO's GST registration guidance or consult a registered tax agent.

Sample sole trader invoice layout

============================================================
               INVOICE   (or TAX INVOICE if GST-registered)
============================================================
  From:  Jane Smith | ABN 12 345 678 901
         Web Designer | Sydney NSW 2000
         [email protected]

  To:    Acme Pty Ltd | 45 Business Road, Melbourne VIC 3000

  Invoice #:    INV-0042
  Date:         20 June 2026
  Due Date:     4 July 2026
------------------------------------------------------------
  Description               Hours   Rate       Amount
------------------------------------------------------------
  Website redesign — Stage 1   10   $120/hr   $1,200.00
  Logo refresh                  2   $120/hr     $240.00
------------------------------------------------------------
  Subtotal:                                   $1,440.00
  GST (10%):                                    $144.00
  TOTAL DUE:                                  $1,584.00
------------------------------------------------------------
  BSB: 062-001  Account: 1234 5678
  Please use invoice number as reference.
============================================================

When should a sole trader send an invoice?

Send your invoice as soon as a job or project milestone is complete. Delayed invoicing is one of the biggest causes of late payment for Australian sole traders. Best practice is to set clear payment terms (e.g., 14 or 30 days) and follow up with a polite reminder 3 days before the due date.

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