An Australian GST invoice — specifically a "tax invoice" — is what lets your client claim the GST back and proves the sale to the ATO. For freelancers it is the difference between a proper business record and a note that will not survive an audit. Get the wording right and payments flow; skip the required details and the client's bookkeeper may bounce it.
What to include
A valid Australian tax invoice must show your ABN, the words "Tax invoice", the GST amount, a clear description of what you supplied, and the date. These are not suggestions — leave one out and the document is not a compliant tax invoice for GST purposes. Add your details, the client's, and a unique invoice number so everything ties together.
How the tax/calculation works
Australian tax invoices need your ABN and the GST amount shown. If the total sale exceeds AUD 82.50 (including GST), the invoice must show both your ABN and the GST for each line item; smaller sales only need the total GST. The rate here is 10%. When you bill an overseas client, check whether the supply is GST-free or uses reverse charge before you finalise.
Example line items
Invoice
Australia GST invoice
- Invoice no.
- INV-2026-014
- Date
- 2026-07-15
From
Your Company
123 Business Rd, Your City
ABN: 51 824 753 556
To
Client Name
Client Company, Client City
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website build | 1 | A$3,500.00 | A$3,500.00 |
| SEO audit | 1 | A$800.00 | A$800.00 |
- Subtotal
- A$4,300.00
- GST (10%)
- A$430.00
- Total
- A$4,730.00
Notes
Payment within 14 days. Cheers.
Example preview — not a real invoice
List the work plainly so the maths is obvious. For example: Website build at 1 × A$3,500.00, and SEO audit at 1 × A$800.00. Show the quantity, unit price, and the GST per line once you are over the threshold, then total it up clearly.
Practical tips
Label it "Tax invoice", not merely "Invoice" — the wording is mandatory above the registration threshold. Show GST per line whenever the sale tops AUD 82.50. Keep your records for 5 years under ATO rules. Solid habits — consistent numbering, clear payment terms, same-day sending — quietly cut down late payments and build the trust that earns repeat work.
Getting the wording right is mostly habit: the ABN, the "Tax invoice" label, and the GST per line are fixed requirements, and a clear layout prevents rejected invoices. A reliable invoice generator drops in the "Tax invoice" label and your ABN field, so the only thing left is the work you actually enjoy.