Contractor invoice template for Australia
Create professional invoices for contracting and trade work in Australia. Covers progress payments, ABN validation, GST, and BSB/PayID bank details — everything you need to get paid on time.
Free for first 3 invoices • No signup required
What contractors need on their invoices
Contractor invoicing in Australia follows the same base rules as all Australian business invoicing, but with some important additions specific to trade and construction work. Getting your invoices right from the start prevents payment disputes and keeps your cash flow healthy.
Your ABN is non-negotiable — without it, the principal contractor is legally required to withhold 47% of your payment under the tax withholding rules. Your bank details (BSB and account number, or PayID) should also appear on every invoice, making it as easy as possible for the person receiving the invoice to pay you promptly.
For longer projects, invoicing in stages (progress claims) is standard practice. Each progress claim should clearly describe the work completed in that period, the amount for that stage, and the total billed to date so your client always knows where the project stands financially.
AusInvoice features for contractors:
- ✓ABN validation using the official ATO algorithm
- ✓GST auto-calculation (inclusive and exclusive)
- ✓Detailed line items for each task or material
- ✓BSB / Account Number / PayID bank details
- ✓Invoice number tracking for progress claims
- ✓Payment terms and due date fields
Required fields for contractor invoices
Business name / trading name
Your registered name or trading name
ABN
Validated against the ATO algorithm — mandatory
Invoice number
Unique, sequential numbering for each invoice
Invoice date
Date the invoice was issued
Description of work
Detailed breakdown of labour, materials, and tasks completed
Quantities and rates
Hours, units, or m² at the agreed rate per unit
GST (if registered)
"Tax Invoice" heading and 10% GST on taxable items
Total amount payable
Subtotal, GST, and total clearly shown
Payment terms
Due date or payment period (e.g. 7 days, 14 days)
Bank details
BSB + account number, or PayID for instant payment
Progress payments and staged invoicing
For larger projects, invoicing in stages is the norm. Here is how to structure progress invoices correctly.
Deposit / Commencement
Many contractors invoice a deposit (often 10–30%) before work begins. This deposit invoice should clearly state it is a deposit for the project and reference the contract or quote number. Some contracts prohibit excessive upfront payments — check your contract.
Progress claims
Issue a progress claim at each agreed milestone or time period (fortnightly, monthly). Each invoice should describe the work completed in that period, reference the total contract value, show what has been billed to date, and calculate the balance remaining.
Final invoice / Practical completion
The final invoice is issued when the work is complete. It should show the total contract value, all amounts previously invoiced and paid, and the final amount outstanding. If a retention applies, note the retention amount and when it will be released.
Getting paid: include your bank details
One of the most impactful changes you can make to get paid faster is to include your bank details on every invoice. Your BSB and account number, or a PayID (mobile number or email), allow the payer to transfer funds immediately. Without bank details, even a willing client has to look up your details separately — which creates friction and delays. AusInvoice includes dedicated fields for BSB, account number, and PayID.
Related resources
Tax Invoice Template
ATO requirements for valid tax invoices, including all required fields.
GST Invoice Generator
Auto-calculate 10% GST on your contractor invoices.
Adding BSB & PayID to Invoices
How to add bank details and PayID to get paid faster.
Invoice Numbering Best Practices
How to number your invoices correctly, including progress claims.
ABN Validator
Validate your ABN before invoicing.
Sole Trader Invoice
General sole trader invoicing requirements in Australia.