How to Create a Professional Invoice as a Sole Trader (Australia)

Whether you're a tradie sending your first invoice or a freelancer chasing an overdue one, a proper invoice does two jobs: it looks professional, and it meets Australian tax-invoice requirements. The good news — it's simpler than it looks.

What to include on a sole-trader invoice

• The word "Invoice" (or "Tax Invoice" if you're registered for GST).
• Your business/trading name and ABN.
• Your contact details — address, email, mobile.
• The client's name and an invoice number and date.
• A description of the work — line items, either by the hour (hours × rate) or itemised (qty × unit price).
• The total, and GST (10%) shown separately if you're GST-registered.
• How to pay you — your bank account name, BSB and account number.

Step by step

1. Add your business details. Business/trading name, ABN, contact and bank details.
2. Add the client, invoice number and date.
3. List your work as line items — hourly or itemised.
4. Apply GST if registered (10%) and label it a Tax Invoice.
5. Export a PDF and send it to your client by email or message.

The fast way: do it in the app

Re-typing your ABN and bank details on every invoice is the slow way. With SortedMate, you set your business and bank details once and they auto-fill on every invoice. Pick a template (by the hour or itemised), add your lines, toggle GST if you need it, and download a clean PDF — the whole thing takes seconds, from your phone, on the job.

And because SortedMate also scans your receipts and builds your tax report, the money you invoice and the expenses you claim live in the same app — ready for your accountant at tax time.